Training academy director joins influential female leaders on tech week panel
The managing director of BlackRook Academy, Lucy Rook, joined a panel of influential female leaders to discuss female entrepreneurs overcoming adversity and digital inclusion, as part of Birmingham Tech Week 2025.
The event was moderated by Jo Birch and explored how women can break through barriers in business, build digital confidence, and shape inclusive growth across the West Midlands’ tech sector.
It was held at the NatWest Hub, St Philip’s Place.
The panel included leading voices from business, academia, and community impact, including Professor Councilor Shahin Ashraf MBE, Deputy Leader of Solihull Green Party; Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, CEO of Women with Metal; and Angela Spence, Chair of the Board of Governors University of Wolverhampton, with opening insights from Professor Roya Rahimi and Dr Samia Mahmood from the University of Wolverhampton.
Speaking on the theme of breaking barriers, Lucy Rook reflected on the transformative power of digital skills and the importance of creating inclusive, confidence-building environments for women.
She said: “Each and every day, we see how the provision of digital training improves the workplace confidence and career aspirations of our female learners.
“Our learners find a sense of empowerment when they gain the ability to use and master digital tools effectively.
“At BlackRook Academy, we see real transformation when learning moves beyond awareness and becomes hands-on.
“We focus on practical, real-world training led by industry professionals, so women can apply what they learn straight away - whether that’s creating content, using AI, or building an online presence for their business.
“Digital inclusion isn’t just about access - it’s about opportunity. Whether a woman is unemployed, self- employed, or leading a business, digital capability changes everything.
“For me, empowerment is about access and application. It’s about giving women not just the skills, but the confidence to use them to change their own lives and communities.
“When women are digitally confident, communities and companies grow stronger.”
BlackRook Academy works with partners including the West Midlands Combined
Authority (WMCA), City of Wolverhampton College, the DWP, and the Wolves Foundation to deliver digital and social media Bootcamps, employability programmes, and industry-led workshops.
The academy’s reach spans from entry-level digital inclusion to advanced training and AI innovation, including a recent international delivery for Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar.
Lucy added: “The digital economy offers incredible opportunities for women - not only to build businesses but to lead transformation.
“At BlackRook Academy, all our trainers are industry professionals. That real-world expertise is what makes the difference. It bridges the gap between learning and confidence, between knowledge and action.”
The discussion closed with a call to action for greater collaboration between educators, employers, and policymakers to ensure digital inclusion becomes a cornerstone of regional growth and entrepreneurship.
