Nadine Doris arrives in Downing Street for the cabinet meeting (Credit: EPA)

The Culture Secretary said tech companies should look everywhere in the UK to maximize diversity and opportunity.

Nadine Doris told London TechWeek that companies need to do more to find people with more diverse backgrounds.

The minister said the industry is as important as “critical thinking and creativity” as qualifications, and includes many areas where companies should look for “people from all disciplines”.

He affirms that this topic is “very personal for him” because he “was from the city council” and “grew up in the first 25 years of my life and now many describe it as poverty.”

“There will be people with these skills on the streets of the city hall where I grew up,” he said.

“And today I make a request here. One of the things you told me was ability.

“I truly believe that you will find people who will help you grow your business, you will have the critical thinking and creativity that you need, and for us as a government it is raising the bar.

Ms. Doris emphasized that the government plans to strengthen its digital skills in the UK. This includes the creation of a new Digital Skills Council as part of a cutting-edge digital strategy to find ways to upskill people across the country.

He also called on tech companies to look beyond London as an area of ​​social and critical need for their company to help improve their investment.

Employees work socially at desks in the Cushman & Wakefield Plc office during the first phase of the reoccupation of its headquarters in London, England, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. The companies are preparing to welcome more staff into the office. Covid-19 explodes, but the workplace is a little different. Photographer: Bloomberg via Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Tech company called to hire UK workers (credit: Getty)

He also suggested that the name of the annual meeting could be changed from London Tech Week to UK Tech Week to better reflect its status as a national event.

“London Tech Week is not just for London. I know there are more tech companies in Manchester. That’s great,” he said.

“But look at the other cities in England, Newcastle, Durham, Leeds, Sheffield… Look at the East, a region of intense social deprivation.

Look at the people you employ, but also what you pay for rent and business fees (some good deals have been made), so where in the UK are you based?

“And really look at the people you employ. You give the people who deserve the opportunity to embark on this journey with you. Offer them a high-paying job in life.”