Kate Craig-Wood (born 1977) is a British IT entrepreneur; the co-founder & MD of Memset Dedicated Hosting. She is also a champion for the causes of energy efficiency (especially in the data centre) and women in IT[1].
Career
Kate has always had a deep interest in science, technology and business. She taught herself a smattering of programming languages and Web technologies, and after completing her MSc is in Biomedical science joined Arthur Andersen business consulting as IT consultant. She went on to head business development for Easyspace Ltd., one of the UK's largest Web hosting companies, and subsequently formed Memset with her brother, Nick, in late 2002.
Memset has grown rapidly since inception, and Kate's foci on technology, innovation and corporate social responsibility have helped to secure Memset's position as a leading dedicated Web & IT hosting provider. Memset is Britain's first carbon neutral ISP[2], has been voted best UK Web host two years running (2006 & 2007)[3] and has recently won a number of other awards for innovation, environmental awareness and IT strategy[4].
Kate also takes an active interest in local & national business affairs. Her other positions include being a director of the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, a committee member of the Institute of Directors West Surrey branch, and most significantly is a director of Intellect UK, the UK's high-tech trade association[5].
Kate has a passion for environmental issues and is a champion of the cause of energy-efficient computing, speaking frequently on the subject. She is part of Intellect directorial leadership group on energy & efficiency, and is very involved of the British Computer Society's efforts on green IT via her committee membership of the Data Centre Specialist Group.
Transsexual activism
Kate completed a successful transsexual transition between October 2005 and November 2006. As one of the few in the UK who were able to afford good treatment (including Facial Feminising Surgery) she wants to help transsexual people in the UK. In March 2008 she "came out" in the Sunday Times magazine in the hope that she might be the role model to younger transwomen that she never had, and also to try and dispel some myths about the transgendered.[6]
She is also an executive committee member and trustee of the Gender Identity Research & Education Society, and is working with the charity with a principal focus on improving medical care in the UK for young transpeople.
References
- ^ http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39290823,00.htm MP: Tech needs more female role models
- ^ http://www.enterprisehubnetwork.co.uk/magazine-article.php?id=71
- ^ http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/143886/
- ^ http://www.memset.com/news.php
- ^ http://www.womenintechnology.co.uk/female-entrepreneur-joins-intellect-uk-news-15017103/ Female entrepreneur joins Intellect UK board
- ^ http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article3620849.ece Best of Times, Worst of Times: Kate Craig-Wood