SheSays: Women's networking that changes the tech culture

Five years ago, I was working at a leading local digital agency that also curated conferences. I was shocked that, despite good intentions, they struggled to find women speakers. Female team-members confided that we sometimes felt like outsiders at our own events. There was clearly a real need in our industry for women to help each other step up.

There used to be a few meet-up groups for women, but they tended to specialise (Girl Geeks, for example). Then I heard about a global network launched by Laura Jordan Bambach and Alessandra Lariu, in London and New York, to help designers move up to creative director level.

I asked if I could start a Brighton chapter, but also take a broader approach: welcoming people from across creative and digital. In 2011, SheSays Brighton was born.

Events are free. Our speakers share their personal journeys. We keep it informal and positive, with wine on hand. We're all volunteers and local companies all give crucial support. In just three years, we've grown from 40 to more than 500.

It's fantastic that a progressive city such as Brighton and Hove became a tech hub. But people still ask me about gender-specific networking. I get challenged for 'reverse sexism' - while guys joke about needing a men's group.

My best argument is our sheer success, which speaks volumes. There is phenomenal interest and every event is full just hours after being announced.

SheSays Brighton doesn't exclude men; in fact, we often have a few guys dotted about. We just promote to our network first, to nurture a scenario where we're not under-represented.

The point is that we're not isolating ourselves; we're at the heart of a booming local industry and we've had a positive influence on many other groups and conferences, where they actively seek to address the gender balance of their events.

The culture is now improving fast: there are many new friendships, ventures, and other groups (like CodeBar and Ladies That UX) that are flowering as our network grows.

Last autumn, we ran the biggest-ever SheSays event anywhere in the world, with Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, as our keynote speaker.

Next month, we have a panel discussion at Hotel Du Vin with five female managing directors of digital companies in the city. It's fully booked - but it will be filmed and put online. This is part of Spring Forward (www.wespringforward.com) - with loads of great events such as the Curiosity Hub and SheCodes Brighton, celebrating Women's History Month and International Women's Day.

SheSays Brighton is always on the look-out for sponsors and great spaces. And while there's need, we'll be here.

For more information, follow @SheSaysBrighton