Inspiring Women: Vicky Pargetter-Garner on Digital Skills, Resilience, and Driving Change

There are some people whose energy and determination leave a lasting impression. Vicky Pargetter-Garner is one of them. With a career spanning business development, academia, and digital transformation, she has dedicated herself to bridging the digital skills gap and making tech careers more accessible. Currently Director of Digital Skills and Commercial Impact at Tech West Midlands, she’s leading the charge to create meaningful change in the region’s digital landscape. But that’s only one side of her story.

Away from the boardroom, Vicky is an Ironman triathlete and a mother to a six-year-old. She understands what it means to balance ambition with real life, to challenge perceptions, and to lead with purpose. In this conversation, part of SF Recruitment’s Inspiring Women series, we explore her journey—from growing up in the Midlands to navigating male-dominated industries and finding her passion for digital skills. Her insights on resilience, inclusion, and career growth are both candid and inspiring.

Vicky’s journey began in the Midlands, where she was raised in a supportive environment that encouraged her to follow her own path. “I was pretty headstrong from an early age,” she says. Her father ran a family funeral business, and watching him work long hours instilled in her a strong work ethic.

Initially, she set her sights on business, studying Commerce at the University of Birmingham. “I assumed I’d go and work for a big multinational brand,” she recalls. But her first role in research and consultancy shifted her perspective. Working on public sector research, she realised the impact businesses could have on people’s lives. “That’s when I understood my values, and that’s driven my career choices ever since.”

Her move into digital transformation came unexpectedly. While at the University of Birmingham, she worked on forging relationships between academia and industry. “During the pandemic, I spotted a gap around digital skills. Businesses needed support, and we had the means to provide it.” That moment shaped her future direction.

“I had never considered myself a ‘tech person’—in fact, I’d probably have called myself a technophobe,” she laughs. “But I became fascinated by how technology can change lives, not just in groundbreaking ways but in small, everyday improvements.”

One of Vicky’s biggest passions is using technology to create positive social impact, particularly in accessibility. As a trustee for Focus Birmingham, a charity supporting people with sight loss and complex disabilities, she has witnessed firsthand how digital tools can be life-changing.

“I saw a non-verbal individual communicate for the first time using assistive technology,” she shares. “He was able to express that he actually preferred tea over coffee, something so small, yet it transformed his experience. That’s the power of tech for good.”

She believes strongly in breaking down barriers to digital careers. “Women are still hugely underrepresented in tech, and part of that is down to outdated perceptions. We need to show more visible role models and redefine what a career in tech looks like.”

The lack of female representation in tech is still a major issue, but Vicky is optimistic about change. She points to organisations like Tech She Can, which work with young girls to reshape perceptions. “They start sessions by asking children to draw what they think a ‘tech person’ looks like. The stereotype is often a geeky guy in a basement with multiple screens. By the end of the lesson, they redraw their figure—this time, it looks like them.”

Beyond attracting women into the sector, she stresses the importance of retention. “It’s not just about getting women through the door; it’s about keeping them there. We need to build cultures that support women at every stage of their careers—whether that’s balancing family life, dealing with imposter syndrome, or navigating male-dominated workplaces.”

Having worked in traditionally male-led industries, Vicky knows the challenges well. “Earlier in my career, I’d be at industry events where men assumed I was there to take notes or make the tea,” she says. “Back then, I wouldn’t have called it out. Now, I absolutely would and I encourage others to do the same.”

Confidence hasn’t always come naturally to Vicky, particularly when it comes to public speaking. But she’s worked on it intentionally. “Breathing exercises, power stances, and practice. Lots of practice,” she says. “You also have to remind yourself that people want you to do well. Your audience isn’t there to pick you apart.”

Networking has been another key factor in her career success. “Early on, I used to feel pressure to ‘work the room’ and hit targets. But the best networking advice I ever got was to take the focus off yourself and put it on others. Ask good questions, listen, and just be helpful.”  That mindset shift led to her building an extensive professional network—one that ultimately helped her when she made the biggest career move of her life.

After 13 years at the University of Birmingham, she left with nothing lined up. “It was a risk. I’m the breadwinner in my family, so it was terrifying. But I trusted my network and my skills.” It was through reconnecting with people and attending events that she met the team at Tech West Midlands, which led her to her current role.

“The power of your network is invaluable,” she says. “You never know when you’re going to need it.”

As a mother, Vicky has experienced the challenge of balancing career ambition with family life. “Honestly? I don’t think I balance it. I’m often in survival mode,” she admits.

Returning to work after maternity leave was a difficult transition, compounded by imposter syndrome. “I remember thinking, how am I supposed to have strategic conversations when I’ve had two hours of sleep?” But over time, she rebuilt her confidence and reconnected with her network, finding a new way to navigate career and motherhood.

She’s also passionate about championing workplace flexibility. “If you trust people and respect that they have a life outside of work, you get the best from them. It’s common sense, but it’s still not the norm in many organisations.”

Sport has played a major role in shaping Vicky’s resilience. A lifelong athlete, she has competed in an Ironman triathlon and finds running essential for her mental well-being.

“It teaches you discipline, goal-setting, and pushing through tough moments—all of which apply to your career.”

She draws inspiration from Olympian Helen Glover. “She returned to elite sport after having three children, proving that motherhood doesn’t have to mean the end of ambition. That kind of determination really resonates with me.”

For women starting out in their careers, or returning after maternity leave, Vicky’s advice is clear: “Be yourself. People buy into you for who you are, not who you think you should be.”

She also encourages women not to wait for permission. “Have confidence in your abilities and take the opportunities that come your way. Surround yourself with strong women who support and challenge you. And most importantly—stick to your values. If something doesn’t align with them, it’s not the right path.”

It’s a powerful message from a woman who has carved out her own space in the world of digital skills, leadership, and advocacy. And as she continues to champion inclusion in tech, her impact will no doubt inspire the next generation to do the same.

You can watch the full interview here: 

Special thanks to Vickie for her openness, honesty, and inspiration. We love sharing the stories of Inspiring Women making an impact in business, boardrooms, STEM, and beyond. If you know someone with a story worth sharing—or would like to take part yourself—please get in touch with Fiona Frudd.