No Single Path: Thriving in Tech, Data and AI - HER+Data MCR Meetup - July 2026

HER+Data MCR is a community working to connect, inspire, support and empower the NW UK’s Women in Data. Our goal is to bring together women and non-binary people who work in data or who would like to work in data - to support one another, share experiences and talk data - big or small! Whether you’re a student just embarking on a career or a seasoned data professional, this group is for you. We want to connect and inspire amazing data women with diverse expertise and experience.

This event is very generously hosted by Lloyds Banking Group in their Manchester office on the 6th floor at Westminster House, 11 Portland St, Manchester, M1 3HU. Please note that Lloyds has two entrances. While Google Maps may direct you to the back entrance, kindly use the front entrance located near Slug & Lettuce on Portland Street. A team member will be waiting to welcome you there.

✨ Please note:

• Due to venue policies, this event is for 18+ attendees only.
• If you have any allergies/special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
• If you have any access needs, please get in touch beforehand so we can ensure you have the best experience at the event.

Agenda
(All times in BST)
18:00 - 18:30 Networking with food and drinks
18:30 - 18:40 Welcome and announcements
18:40 Lightning talks and Q&A
20:30 Close

In July, we'll do something different. This time we will have a fireside chat - an informal conversation where our panellists will share their personal journeys into technology, data and AI.

With graduation season upon us and AI rapidly reshaping the industry, we'll explore the many different pathways into tech and data, from graduate schemes and apprenticeships to career changes. We'll discuss the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

Speakers
Tilly Spencer is a graduate software engineer on the Lloyds Banking Group Technology Engineering Scheme, gaining experience in quality and software engineering, as well as DevOps. This is Tilly's third career, having started out as an interpreter and translator, then moving to work in programme management at an international charity, before completing the Code First Girls Degree to switch into a tech role. She is a regional Deputy Lead for LBG's Women ConnecTech staff network, and has helped to establish a mentorship project for women joining the graduate scheme as career switchers. She is dedicated to improving the recruitment and retention of women in the tech and data sector.

Noushin Islam is a Technology Engineering Graduate at Lloyds Banking Group. After transitioning from a business background into tech, she is passionate about helping others navigate careers in technology and AI. She will share her journey into the industry and reflect on what it means to build a career during the rapid rise of AI, exploring career pivots, early-career challenges and the opportunities emerging for the next generation of data and technology professionals.

Olivia Matthews is a Data Science & AI Graduate at Lloyds Banking Group who transitioned into tech from a background in Sport & Exercise Medical Science. Determined to find the right path for her, she declined her Masters offer and took a chance on the Code First Girls programme, despite no guarantee of securing a place. She is passionate about helping others feel confident exploring careers in data and increasing awareness of the different pathways available. Olivia will share her journey into tech, offering her perspective on breaking into the industry through Code First Girls, building confidence, and cutting through the noise in an ever-evolving AI landscape.

Danielle Linford is a Software Engineer at Lloyds Banking Group, having transitioned into tech after a career change and completing a software engineering apprenticeship. Without a traditional computer science background, she built her skills on the job and developed a strong foundation in front-end development.
Danielle is passionate about making technology more accessible to others, particularly those without a technical background. She actively supports early careers and contributes to workshops and initiatives that help people take their first steps into coding. Through her journey, she highlights that there isn’t one fixed route into tech — combining hands-on experience, curiosity, and support from others can be just as powerful as a traditional path.

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Our Meetup page is very generously sponsored by KrakenFlex!