The awards celebrate the tech industry’s most exceptional talent recognising all stages of the career journey from apprentices to C-Suite, creating role models to inspire the next generation from the UK and beyond. The ‘One to Watch’ prize is awarded to a girl aged 11-18 who is actively encouraging girls to study STEM subjects at school or is making waves in the tech space.

Catherine, a STEM, academic and music scholar at LEH, is currently studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology A Levels. She promotes STEM as creator and editor of the ‘Catalyst’ Journal, and through her research into dementia, cognition, cardiac risk, cyanobacteria, mathematical modelling, biomedical engineering, and healthcare transformation. Catherine has won national and international awards for her work and is published in the journal of Dementia Care, Youth Scientist, Youth Medical and Oxford Scientist Journals.

Award-winner, Catherine James, who is 17-year-old, said: “Technology is a vital part of our lives and has the capacity to solve so many of the world’s greatest issues. It was an honour to attend the FDM Everywoman in Tech Awards Ceremony and to meet the inspirational women who are driving powerful change in the industry, through their innovation, creativity, and passion. I’m very grateful to Computacenter for sponsoring this award.”

LEH Physics teacher and STEM co-ordinator, Andy Brittain, said: “As STEM Scholar, Catherine has applied extraordinary passion, commitment, drive and energy to all of her projects. She has helped shape LEH’s initiatives and has been a key supporter of our inclusive and inspirational STEM programme. The STEM subjects enhance and enrich our knowledge and understanding and promote critical thinking and develop our ability to solve problems creatively. Catherine embodies these qualities and is a tremendously worthy winner of this award.”

Heather Hanbury, Head Mistress of LEH, said: “We are delighted that Catherine’s hard work and enjoyment of STEM subjects has been recognised in this way. Shining a spotlight on the involvement and contribution of girls and women in STEM is important, and we are proud to have so many LEH students and alumnae enjoying well-deserved success in their studies and careers. It’s wonderful to see so many pupils choosing to study subjects like Maths, Chemistry and Physics at GCSE and A Level at LEH, and Catherine and her peers are brilliant role models who inspire our younger pupils”.

Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman, comments: “Since 2011, The FDM everywoman in Technology Awards are both a recognition and a celebration of the impact women are having on the technology industry worldwide and the diverse, fulfilling, and exemplary careers that women can have in technology. Over the past 14 years, the accomplishments, and stories of these talented women have and will continue to inspire future generations to pursue a career in an industry where women are underrepresented. Each winner is a role model whose remarkable achievements showcase the vital advancements technology has in saving, transforming, and improving lives, while also positively impacting the planet and ensuring the future of tech grows ever more diverse and inclusive.”