In May, the Living Wage Foundation launched the new Living Wage in Tech Leadership Group. The group consists of representatives from across the network of accredited Living Wage Employers in the tech industry, including multinational companies such as Google, Sage and Ricoh, fast-growing 'scaleups' like Monzo, industry bodies, and start-ups and SMEs of varying types from all over the UK.
There are over 150 accredited Living Wage Employers who identify as tech organisations. However, the industry is lacking in large accredited employers (over 500 employees), with just four currently signed up to the scheme. As an industry currently experiencing high levels of growth and investment (in 2016, UK digital tech investment reached £6.8 billion, 50% higher than any other European country), it is hoped that more leading employers can be encouraged to become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, and ensure their direct and contracted staff earn enough to get by.
The Leadership Group will serve to advise on the overall strategy and direction of the Foundation's outreach in the tech industry, oversee the growth of accredited employers through awareness-raising, develop the Foundation's position with key industry networks, and provide a public voice in support of the Living Wage movement in tech.
Sam Hepher, Programme Manager and tech industry lead at the Living Wage Foundation said:
"It's fantastic to convene a group of tech industry leaders who are so committed to ensuring their staff can afford a decent standard of living. We're looking forward to seeing how the group can spread the Living Wage word far and wide across the industry, so that more employers can commit to go beyond the government minimum, and pay a real Living Wage that covers the cost of living."
Group Co-Chair John Logan, Interim Reward Director at Sage UK, said:
"I'm really excited to be part of the Living Wage in Tech Leadership Group, we are a small but mighty team which will help to promote the values and benefits of the Living Wage. There is a lot of passion in the group and I think we have a good chance of making a difference."
Group Co-Chair Lena Russell, Head of HR Strategic Projects & Reward at Ricoh UK, said:
"Being part of the Living Wage in Tech Leadership Group will give us the opportunity to promote and encourage other organisations to be a responsible business. For Ricoh, it is really important that we do the right thing which supports us being an employer of choice. I am really excited to be a part of this group and I am looking forward to working with the team to inspire others to get involved."
Living Wage in Tech Leadership Group members:
- Bob Bazley - CEO, Netopa
- Clemence Billoud - General Manager, Second Home
- Colin Gilbertson - Operations Director, Consider IT
- David Skelton - Public Policy and Government Relations Manager, Google UK
- Elaine Callanan - Office & Employee Engagement Manager, Core
- Gary Cheetham - Founder, SystemPioneer
- Harry Robbins - Partner, Outlandish
- India Lucas - Policy Manager, Skills & Diversity, techUK
- John Logan (Co-Chair) - Interim Reward Director, Sage UK
- Lena Russell (Co-Chair) - Head of HR Strategic Projects & Reward, Ricoh UK
- Mark Matthews - CEO, ATG-IT
- Megan Levitt - Operations Executive, Quorum Network Resources Ltd
- Sam Hepher - Programme Manager, Living Wage Foundation
- Samantha Westgate - CEO, Perfectus Biomed Ltd
- Therisa Thompson - HR Manager, Keyzo
- Tristan Thomas - Head of Marketing and Community, Monzo
To find out more about the real Living Wage, and how to become an accredited Living Wage Employer, visit www.livingwage.org.uk, or contact Sam Hepher, Programme Manager at the Living Wage Foundation, at sam.hepher@livingwage.org.uk.