Susannah Harrison has become the first woman to join the senior leadership team in the technical division at Manx Telecom.

It is part of a drive by the telecoms company to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology.

Miss Harrison is now head of integrated service management, responsible for the delivery of network and change management, IT security, and risk and compliance.

She leads a team of highly skilled and dedicated individuals, delivering services to both internal and external customers.

She said: ’I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity, not just for me but for women who want to be successful in this industry.

’I hope my particular journey and most recent success shows young women that working for the right company can harness ambition and commitment to shape a rewarding career.

’In that sense, there are no boundaries to what a woman in technology can achieve.’

Miss Harrison joined Manx Telecom 18 years ago in an IT support role, and since then has worked in sales, product management and most recently the service management team.

Manx Telecom says it is committed to investing in people and provides a range of initiatives offering opportunities for personal and professional development for all employees.

The company is also lending its support to Love Tech - the organisation with a mission to encourage more girls and women in the island to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Love Tech’s most recent event was the island’s premiere of General Magic: The Documentary.

Two screenings were held at The Broadway Cinema, Villa Marina, with Manx-born filmmaker Sarah Kerruish, the co-producer and co-director of the documentary, as the guest of honour at the event. General Magic tells the story of one of history’s most talented technology teams. From the first smartphones to social media, e-commerce and even emojis, the ideas that now dominate the tech industry and our day-to-day lives were born at General Magic, a 1989 Silicon Valley start-up.

Cathy Collins, head of brand and marketing communications at Manx Telecom, said: ’We welcome Susannah’s appointment and our support for Love Tech is part of a broader commitment to actively encourage more women to pursue careers within the technology, telecommunications and engineering fields.

’Last year we welcomed our first female trainee field engineer - Kristina Misselbrook - who is now a field engineer playing an integral part in our rollout of fibre, and working towards her NVQ qualifications.’

Angela van den Berg, chairman of Love Tech, said: ’As a local not-for-profit initiative whose aim is to inspire and empower young women to explore opportunities and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Love Tech is delighted to have Manx Telecom on board as one of its valued sponsors for 2019.

’This support will help us to deliver a series of high profile events during the year, the first of which was the Isle of Man premiere of General Magic.’