Stephanie (Steve) Shirley (1933-2025) was Vera Buchthal when she arrived in England via the Kindertransport at the age of 5.

She (& her older sister) lived in foster care, continuing to do so when her birth parents came searching for her.

Stephanie Shirley went on to found her own software development company in 1962 .

In this edition of Cautionary Tales, host Tim Harford talks with Ben Walter about the life of Stephanie Shirley, including her childhood & the sexism she encountered in the workplace which led to her setting up her own business.