We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Dame Stephanie Shirley CH, a Distinguished Fellow of BCS. A pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dame Stephanie founded one of the UK’s first all-woman software firms in 1962, transforming the tech landscape and championing flexible work and gender equality.
She joined BCS as a student member in 1957 and later became its first female President (1989–90), before being awarded a Distinguished Fellowship in 2021.
Her lifelong impact, in both IT innovation and philanthropy, epitomises the values BCS stands for. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and all whose lives she inspired.
BCS Group CEO, Sharron Gunn said: "Dame Stephanie Shirley was a trailblazer whose legacy will forever be embedded in the fabric of the technology industry. Her groundbreaking work not only advanced the role of women in tech but also transformed the way we view work, equality, and innovation.
"On behalf of BCS, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family, and we are committed to carrying forward her mission of inclusivity, opportunity, and social impact. Her contributions will continue to inspire generations to come."
Read below founder of BCS Women, Professor Sue Black's tribute:
Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley CH - A Personal Tribute
By Professor Sue Black OBE
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend, Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley CH - one of the most remarkable and inspiring people I have ever known.
A true tech pioneer decades ahead of her time, Steve founded Freelance Programmers in 1962, later known as F International. At a time when women were almost invisible in the industry, she built a multi-million-pound software business staffed mainly by women, pioneering remote and flexible working long before it was the norm. Among FI’s many achievements was writing the black box flight recorder software for Concorde.
Her career began on some of the earliest British computers, including ERNIE, the Premium Bonds lottery computer. She didn’t just open doors for women in tech, she built the doors and handed out the keys.
Through the Shirley Foundation, Steve gave away most of her personal fortune to causes including autism research, the arts, and computing heritage. She was a major supporter of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists and was recognised by the BBC as one of its “100 Women” and one of the most powerful women in Britain.
I was honoured to host Steve at Durham University, where she gave a powerful public lecture based on her autobiography Let It Go. I also had the privilege of recording an episode of my 100 Moments That Rocked Computer Science podcast with her - a conversation I will treasure.
Steve’s wit, generosity, and unwavering belief that technology, guided by humanity, can change the world will continue to inspire me, and countless others, for years to come.
Thank you, Steve. For everything.
Andrea Palmer, Chair of BCSWomen paid tribute:
Dame Stephanie ‘Steve’ was a visionary who reshaped the tech industry and championed the inclusion of women in computing at a time when their presence was rare.
She transformed barriers into stepping stones, pioneering a tech revolution that gave women not just a voice, but careers and futures in technology. Her company, Freelance Programmers, was groundbreaking in its employment of young mothers, offering flexible work and training in coding—long before such practices were common. Among their many achievements was programming the black box flight recorder for Concorde.
Dame Shirley was an inspiration to many, both within and beyond the tech community. Her legacy of innovation, inclusion, and philanthropy will continue to resonate for generations. She will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her remarkable life.
Rebecca George CBE FBCS CITP, a BCS Past President added:
Dame Stephanie Shirley has been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember. I was privileged to meet her several times and was always struck by the keen interest she took in the women she met working in IT. She was enormously important to the BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT and its first woman President. Ahead of her time, she created opportunities for women to work flexibly near home in small communities. She was practical, philanthropic, articulate, and loved the world of IT.
I knew her too, from The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) where she enabled our relatively young Livery company to have our own hall. I’m sure others will talk about her legacy to the BCS and WCIT. For me, her real legacy was the impression she made on generations of women in IT. The importance of thinking outside the box, combining technical, communication and business excellence; giving so generously and being kind.
