Apple’s chief executive has said there were “no good excuses” for the lack of women at the world’s tech firms.
Tim Cook admitted there are still “not enough women at the table” and warned that technology “will not achieve nearly what it could achieve” without a more diverse workforce.
According to a PWC “women in tech” report, just 23 per cent of the people working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) roles across the UK are female.
Only five per cent of leadership positions in the technology industry are held by women.
The report also found 78 per cent of students couldn’t name a famous female working in tech.
Mr Cook, the boss of the world’s most valuable company, told the BBC: “I think the essence of technology and its effect on humanity depends upon women being at the table.
“Technology’s a great thing that will accomplish many things, but unless you have diverse views at the table that are working on it, you don’t wind up with great solutions.”
He said while companies including his own had made progress on diversity, there were “no good excuses” for the tech sector not to employ more women.
“Businesses can’t cop out and say ‘there’s not enough women taking computer science — therefore I can’t hire enough’,” added Mr Cook.
“We have to fundamentally change the number of people that are taking computer science and programming.”
Mr Cook spoke to the BBC after flying to the UK to visit the iPhone giant’s new London headquarters at Battersea Power Station for the first time.
He is understood to have arrived on Sunday for a round of meetings ahead of Apple staff moving into the restored former generator early in the New Year. Mr Cook, who is due to stay in London for several days, said: “Apple has been part of the London community for more than 40 years, and we’re thrilled to soon bring some of our teams together in the historic Battersea Power Station.
“Once a source of energy for much of London, the transformation this building has undergone honours London’s past and celebrates its future. We’re so glad to be a part of it.”
The Standard revealed in 2016 that Apple would be the main office occupier at Battersea, taking more than 500,000 sq ft of space designed by Foster + Partners over six floors.
