Companies with a high percentage of women in senior management return better financial results, according to Intellect.

The UK's technology trade association announced its 2008 president's report in which it asserts that return on equity is 35.1 per cent higher and total return to shareholders is 34 per cent higher, when companies have more women in senior management.

Intellect president Sean Finnan said in his introduction to the report: "With over 140,000 new entrants needed every year, the gender imbalance in those taking computer science related degrees and in the technology sector in the UK is one of the worst in Western Europe."

He added that in 2007 only 18 per cent of IT and telecoms professionals were female, which Intellect finds worrying because of the proven success of women in senior management.

Meanwhile, the British Computer Society recently commented that young female IT professionals and graduates should be encouraged to act as role models for the IT industry.