Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley, who has died aged 91, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as a pioneering woman in technology, a refugee who became one of the UK’s most generous philanthropists, and a leader who transformed the lives of thousands. Publisher of SME Today and Director of The Great British Expo’s Ltd, Alec Jones Hall, reflects on his personal relationship with Dame Stephanie – a bond forged through shared events, conversations, and mutual respect – and the lasting inspiration she brought to his work and life.

I first met Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley when she received our highest accolade – the Lifetime Achievement Award – at the Thames Valley Business & Community Awards.

Before meeting her, I had read her extraordinary story: a Jewish child refugee fleeing Nazi Germany; a pioneering woman in technology; one of the UK’s most generous philanthropists, giving away over £70 million of her own wealth to causes close to her heart; and the remarkable leader who made 70 of her employees millionaires. I was beyond inspired.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were unable to hold our physical expos, we pivoted to virtual events. One of the first speakers we invited was Dame Steve. She delivered a keynote to more than 700 delegates, speaking to us all as we sat in lockdown, uncertain of the future, helping us understand how to embrace change rather than fear it.

She returned again as a keynote speaker for our national award ceremony – once again held virtually – and, as always, her words moved, inspired, and motivated the 500 businesses and their teams in attendance. Our audience saw in her a living example of courage and determination: a woman who overcame adversity, sexism, and the societal norms of her time to build a business from her kitchen table with just £6, growing it into a $3 billion enterprise employing over 8,500 people.

Beyond her commercial success, Dame Shirley was a true pioneer in every sense. In 1962, she founded Freelance Programmers, a revolutionary IT business employing mostly women working remotely — decades before such flexibility became mainstream. She became the first woman President of the British Computer Society and the first woman Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, and was honoured with an OBE (1980), a DBE (2000), and the rare Companion of Honour (2017) for her services to IT and philanthropy. Through her Shirley Foundation, she donated over £67 million to causes she cared deeply about, helping to establish major charities such as Prior’s Court, Autism at Kingwood, and Autistica, as well as funding initiatives including the Oxford Internet Institute.

But it was her philanthropy – given at personal cost – that touched me most deeply. She once told me about the charities she had established after selling her business. I was astonished to learn they collectively employ over 1,000 people. In celebration of her 90th birthday, at an event in the Palace of Westminster, Dame Shirley announced she would be donating £1 million to her charity Autistica, in memory of her late son Giles, to improve the lives of people with autism.

Her own words capture her mission best: fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she resolved to “live a life worth saving.” Over her 91 years, she not only fulfilled that mission – she exceeded it. Her legacy continues through Priors Court, Autism at Kingswood, and Autistica, and through the countless lives she has touched and transformed.

For every entrepreneur and business owner, I wholeheartedly recommend her autobiography Let IT Go (2012). Her story is one of grit, resilience, and vision – a masterclass in overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness.

I have met and worked with many high-profile entrepreneurs, business leaders, political figures, and celebrity personalities. Sadly, not all live up to their public image. Dame Shirley was the real deal – and to those who knew her personally, she was so much more.

Her passing saddens me greatly. But I will always carry the fondest memories of the impact she made on my life – and the gratitude that our paths crossed with such purpose.