THE search is on for role models who can inspire the North-East tech sector to be more diverse.

Regional tech organisation Dynamo has launched a hero campaign to find people working to make the sector more inclusive and equal.

Fareeha Usman, Dynamo’s equality, diversity and inclusion innovation manager, is leading the campaign.

She said: "We realise that we need to do more to ensure we represent our diverse society and support the region’s SMEs and wider tech community to do the same.

"We would hope and expect to see honesty, equality, respect and open-mindedness enshrined in North-East tech businesses. It’s vital that it is seen as an inclusive, welcoming sector in which anyone can succeed.”

A questionnaire will be distributed to firms as part of the campaign to identify those already working for equality in the sector.

“People can nominate others and we’re hoping to get as many people signed up as possible," Ms Usman added.

“Equality and diversity can be a difficult subject to talk about but it’s important that it is."

Questionnaire results, alongside a report into the tech scene's diversity, will be published in March.

Ms Usman is the founder of Being Woman, a charity working to educate and empower women to challenge facing prejudice and discrimination.

She was also the winner of the Rising Star at last year’s Dynamites Awards, and picked up the Entrepreneur for Good Award for the North-East at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

For more information and to fill out the HERO campaign questionnaire, visit www.dynamonortheast.co.uk