Katie Gallagher

‘Katie champions regional tech hubs to develop and thrive to create high quality jobs for communities’

Part of the Tech Women Celebration 50 – a curated list of some of the most inspirational women working at all levels of tech

Katie Gallagher OBE is one of the UK's most influential voices in the digital and technology sector. As managing director of Manchester Digital and chair of the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG), she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the tech sector at both regional and national levels. She also provides expert advice as a board member of numerous organisations, including the Government's Digital Skills Council.

Through her work, Katie champions regional tech hubs to develop and thrive to create high quality jobs for communities. She also works tirelessly to improve diversity and inclusion within the sector, spearheading impactful programmes such as Digital Her and the Manchester Digital Level 4 digital apprenticeships. Manchester Digital has just been awarded 'Best Tech Not-for-Profit' at the She Can Code Power Up awards, which is a testament to Katie's leadership. Katie was also awarded her OBE in the 2024 King's New Year's Honours list for her work for the digital and tech industry in the Northwest.

What do you consider to be the nominee's biggest achievement to date?

As chair of the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG), Katie led the successful Regional Tech Hubs tender, securing £1m to run six-month programmes across the UK’s regional tech ecosystems. Local organisations can receive up to £40k to support founders, startups, and scaleups, with each programme directly aiding at least 30 tech businesses and tackling regional challenges.

Earlier this year, Katie launched the first Carbon Literacy Toolkit for the tech industry, in partnership with AutoTrader and the Carbon Literacy Project. The Toolkit addresses the sector’s environmental impact and is free for internal use, supporting individuals and businesses in reducing their carbon footprint. It was developed collaboratively with Manchester Digital and leading UK tech firms including Mony Group, Nexer Digital, Littlefish, and GlobalLogic UK&I.

Katie has also connected policymakers with industry challenges, organising round tables with ministers such as Baroness Jones, Feryal Clark, and Alan Mak. In February 2025, she led Manchester Digital’s largest Digital Skills Festival to date, featuring HackaFuture (10 job offers), Future Innovators Challenge (105 students), Digital Her Day (150 women & allies), Talent Day (2,000+ attendees, 30+ businesses), and the Digital Skills Feast (100+ senior leaders).

What is the most significant challenge the nominee has overcome?

The global tech industry has faced turbulence in recent years, with AI developments, job cuts (especially at junior levels) and political instability impacting the ecosystem. Katie works closely with tech leaders, ministers, mayors, and municipal leaders, ensuring Manchester Digital and the UKTCG remain adaptable and responsive to these changes.

To support members, they have run the Startup Activator programme, launched the new FutureTech Live conference, secured funding for the Grad Recharge programme, and the UKTCG won the Regional Tech Booster.

Managing a wide range of high-impact programmes with a small team remains challenging. Katie oversees initiatives including Level 4 apprenticeships, Digital Her, the Digital Skills Festival, Startup Activator, and various tech events across ecommerce, future tech, and fintech. She also manages UKTCG programmes and its upcoming inaugural annual conference, requiring careful time management and constant prioritisation.

Tell us something about the nominee that people would find surprising

People are often surprised to learn that Katie didn't follow the university route many expected. Instead, she left school to become an apprentice at an animation company. Animation taught her the value of creativity, attention to detail and collaboration. It was a fast-paced environment where ideas had to be turned into tangible outcomes quickly, and where learning came as much from colleagues as from formal training.

That experience gave her a strong grounding in how industries operate and shaped her belief that there are many routes into successful careers. This early experience also underpins her commitment to creating opportunities for others who don't take the traditional academic path.

Now working in technology and policy, Katie champions apprenticeships, alternative routes into the sector and the importance of practical experience alongside formal education. Her story surprises people, not least because it highlights that the journey into leadership can begin from places far outside the conventional route.