Cracking the Code for a Cause: Macquarie’s Foundation Week Sudoku Challenge Raises the Bar for Girls in STEM

Macquarie’s Foundation Week 2025 brought together colleagues from across the firm for a brain-busting Sudoku battle in support of Maths4Girls. More than just a test of speed and logic, it was a celebration of community, competition, and commitment to inspiring more young women to pursue STEM subjects.

While Macquarie colleagues raced to complete over 1,500 Sudoku puzzles, the real victory was for the next generation of mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. The funds raised by the participants were double matched by Macquarie, tripling the initial donations that support Maths4Girls in sending role models into UK schools to inspire girls to continue with maths and STEM subjects beyond GCSE.

How the Challenge Worked

• Online Sudoku Challenge: Participants raced to complete a Sudoku puzzle, submitted their times, and made a suggested charity donation. The winner of the online competition scored an incredible 49 seconds.
• Live Events: The tension was palpable as colleagues faced off in live head-to-head matches in the office, with top talent invited for a finale. The winner of this round managed to score an amazing 1:01 whilst under many watching eyes!
• Group competition: Fastest times scored highest points for their Groups, feeding into a Macquarie-wide leaderboard.

Making a Difference Together

Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of Macquarie colleagues, the event was a huge success – not just for the winners, but for every student impacted by Maths4Girls. Since inception, Macquarie volunteers have reached over 2,500 students across the UK, helping to break down barriers and build futures.

Interested in supporting Maths4Girls or learning more? Visit Maths4Girls and help us inspire the next generation of women in STEM!