Over the years, efforts to achieve gender equality in corporate leadership have yielded varying results. While listed companies have made significant strides, small and mid-market enterprises (SMEs) continue to lag behind.

In 2024, the FTSE Women Leaders Review reported that 42% of FTSE 350 directorships were held by women, compared to 26% in 2015. However, only 18% of SMEs were led by women in 2022, a figure unchanged since 2015. This disparity raises questions about the barriers faced by female leaders and entrepreneurs.

Despite more female-founded start-ups, fewer progress to established businesses compared to the overall population. The recent Alison Rose Review suggests that unlocking women's entrepreneurial potential could add up to £250 billion to the UK economy.

Addressing gender parity in the mid-market requires targeted strategies. As a champion of female-led businesses, we want to help identify and create initiatives which will make a difference.

In recent research conducted by Cripps of women leading female-powered businesses, the biggest barrier to growth was cited as ‘more complex requirements to access funding’, followed by having the ‘confidence and skills to pitch to investors’. This programme has been established to address these challenges so that women understand the different funding options available to them and are equipped with the skills to present their business to potential investors.

By understanding barriers and fostering an inclusive environment, we can unlock the potential of women and drive economic growth.