While I do agree with what you and Sarah Parmenter are saying, no one should have to put up with any prejudice of any kind in any industry, I do think that there has been an over reaction.

I do not think this is a reflection of the industry, I think this is a reflection of the internet.

If you create a chatroom on the internet where the majority of people are anonymous, male and young, you are going to get some ridiculous comments. I would wager that most of the people in the room were males of a certain age, so obviously there will be schoolboy mentality. Most of them were probably schoolboys!

On the whole the room was good all day, some good comments, some good banter, but unfortunately some idiots too.

Anyway, I’m just trying to say, don’t feel that there’s something seriously wrong with the industry as a whole. I work in IT Strategy for a large American credit card company and the split of male to female is 50/50. Sex does not come into anyone’s mind, it’s how good you are at your job.

Don’t think that all is lost, just maybe avoid schoolboy chatrooms in the future…

By the way, yesterday was brilliant and all the guests were fantastic. Massive well done to everyone involved.