Organization expands reach as tech CEO of the year, Elona Mortimer-Zhika, joins board.

London, United Kingdom, 7th March 2024: The Hg Foundation, a grant-giving charity focused on improving tech education and skills, has now supported partnerships that will help over 50,000 young people and adults from underrepresented background along the pipeline of talent into the technology sector. 

This landmark achievement is highlighted in the Foundation's new impact report , which provides an overview of the non-profit partnerships it has supported in Europe and North America since its launch in 2020. The programmes, underpinned by an investment of $25m, support children as young as 11 years old to develop tech-relevant skills and aspirations, all the way through to helping undergraduates and adults secure high-quality employment in the sector.  By 2027, the Foundation wants to catalyse 100,000 impactful opportunities that ensure the tech sector of the future harnesses the talents of everyone, regardless of background. 

To underpin the next phase of the Foundation’s evolution, the Foundation is delighted to welcome Elona Mortimer-Zhika to its Board of Trustees. Elona, CEO of software company IRIS, and recipient of the 'Tech CEO of the Year' award at the UK Tech Awards, brings an invaluable wealth of experience from her successful journey in the software business in both the UK and US markets.

Elona's deep-rooted commitment to diversity, social mobility, and the nurturing of the next generation aligns seamlessly with the Foundation's vision and ambitious plans for the future.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO at IRIS, said: “I’m delighted to be joining The Hg Foundation team at such an exciting time. The amazing work that the foundation does is very close to my heart. Born in communist Albania, I was the lucky recipient of a college scholarship to the UK at the age of 16, so I know first-hand the life changing impact education makes. This role combines my personal experience with my passion for diversity, education and tech and I feel privileged to be a part of an organization that is committed to make a difference at scale and improve the life chances of thousands.”

Tom Attwood, Chair of the Foundation, said, “The Foundation has grown hugely since it was founded by Hg during the pandemic and we now have long term partnerships with some brilliant non-profits in the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands and the US.  We are very ambitious about its future, about investing significantly in understanding the impact of what we support and in helping the most successful programmes to grow. We are thrilled that Elona has agreed to join the board to support those ambitions with her experience, insight and passion.”

About the Hg Foundation:

The Hg Foundation’s vision is that the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background.  It does this by supporting education and employment-based programmes across the UK, USA and Europe where it can demonstrate measurable, long-term and scalable impact and make a difference to those that need it most.  To date it has committed $25m to programmes that will reach over 50,000 young people and adults from under-represented backgrounds. The Hg Foundation is registered Charity no. 1189216.

Find out more at https://www.thehgfoundation.com/