Billian hopes to inspire women to join the tech sector on International Women's Day

By Billian IT Solutions

07 Mar 2018

billian-hopes-to-inspire-women-to-join-the-tech-sector-on-international-womens-day.png
Since its inception in 1917, International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually in many countries across the globe.

While the movement for women’s rights has seen success after success, statistics reveal that, like many other sectors, there is still a major gender gap in the tech industry. Starting with our very own Victoria Jones, Billian is not only celebrating women in tech this year, but also hoping to inspire more women to join the sector and help to close the gap.

Can you tell us a little bit about your career and how you came to work in the travel technology sector?

I was tasked with implementing GDS (a global distribution system used by many travel agents and tour operators to reserve seats on flights, hotel rooms, car rental and much more) and mid & back office booking technology. I was then offered a job by the technology company on their Customer Service team, the rest is history!

Billian is a technology provider that specialises in the design and implementation of online booking engines for travel companies. What role do you play in this and what do you enjoy most about it?

My role is varied, I handle sales and the commercial side of the business. Seeing a project through from the initial sales call to the client having a fully functioning online booking facility is the most rewarding part. It changes the way a business works and it’s great to see bookings being made online 24/7.

Is travel technology the industry you always envisioned working in?What did you want to be growing up?

Like a lot of children, I wanted to be a vet but by the time I reached 16, I was ready to get to work and earn some money. I had no wish to continue studying for a long time. My parents had always taken us on holidays abroad, so I really had the travel bug. Even though travel technology is not the industry that I envisioned working in, I find watching travel companies enhance their online presence using booking engines that Billian developed really exciting!

What do you enjoy most about being a woman in tech?

I enjoy the team atmosphere and working with a variety of personalities, but I do try to stay as much on the travel side as possible to bridge the gap between our clients and the technical teams here in the office.

In your experience, do women have equal opportunities to men in the tech industry?If not, please state why and how we can overcome this.

I think there are definitely equal opportunities in the sector, however there is a shortage of female technicians and programmers and we really need more. I think a female presence in a technical, male oriented team changes the dynamics and provides a much broader range of customer and commercial awareness.

You have worked in the travel tech sector for over 22 years. In that time, what has changed?

Well, there was no internet, so all of our initial products were desktop based and we had to send updates through the post on floppy disks. I have no idea what we did before online searching and booking!

How do you keep up with the latest travel tech trends?

Do you have any advice for women who are thinking about embarking on a career in travel technology?

#womenintech@billianIT#tech4travel

Enjoyed this? Read more from Billian IT Solutions

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin