Report shows progress in boosting investment in UK's women entrepreurners
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160 lenders and investors are now signed up to a
government-industry code helping women entrepreneurs access the
finance they need to succeed Code signatories have been backing
women-led businesses, including significantly more venture capital
deals in firms with female founders Government encourages even more
lenders and investors to sign up to the code to further support
women-led businesses A new report published today (Tuesday 28 June)
reveals the strength of...Request free
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A new report published today (Tuesday 28 June) reveals the strength of investment in the UK’s women entrepreneurs by lenders and investors signed up to the Investing in Women Code, a world-leading commitment to improve access to finance for women-led businesses. The Investing in Women Code is an initiative recommended by the government-commissioned Rose Review, led by NatWest CEO Alison Rose, into how best to boost female entrepreneurship. The code sets out commitments to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom by improving their access to the tools, resources and finance they need to achieve their goals. Signatories to the code include Angel investment groups, venture and growth investors and High Street banks including Barclays, NatWest and Santander. The report is the second-ever annual report on the code and key findings include:
While there is more work to be done, the code is gaining recognition worldwide. A partnership between 14 countries including Australia, Canada and China, the World Bank and six regional development banks is planning to draw on the UK’s experience to create a ‘Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code’ to help the 400 million businesses owned by women around the world. Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “Growing the economy is the long-term way of addressing the cost of living and up to £250 billion could be added to the economy if we break the barriers to women starting and scaling new businesses at the same rate as men. “Significant progress is being made but there will be more to do in the time ahead, so I’m looking forward to working with businesses to ensure all entrepreneurs are able to make the most of their talents and I encourage more lenders and investors to sign up to the code.” British Business Bank CEO Catherine Lewis La Torre said: “There are structural factors at play that hold women back when they are looking for finance. However, we also know that diversity is good for business and that’s why, as the UK’s economic development bank, the British Business Bank aims to break down barriers by improving access to finance for all entrepreneurs. “As a founding signatory of the Investing in Women Code, we have focused our efforts on increasing the number of venture capital firms becoming signatories as access to venture capital can be particularly challenging for female founders. While I’m particularly proud of the 105 venture capital firms that have signed the Code alongside other finance providers, there is more to do to drive action and I look forward to continuing this vital work to promote and support female talent.” Stephen Pegge, Managing Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance, said: “The banking and finance industry is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through the provision of finance, guidance and services to address the untapped potential in the UK. Women-led businesses have been driving vital innovation and growth up and down the country and this report demonstrates that progress is being made through the collective effort of the sector with investors, business networks and the government. “It is important that all customers feel confident in applying for finance and so it is encouraging that the report shows nine in ten women-led businesses are successful in their applications.” Jenny Tooth OBE, Executive Chair of the UK Business Angels Association, said: “Addressing the barriers for women-led businesses in accessing Angel and early stage investment is a key priority for our work at UKBAA. As one of the Partners for the Code, it has been encouraging to see an increasing number of our Angel community signing up to this important commitment and taking actions to create change. “Significantly, we are also seeing the impact of Angel groups with an increased proportion of women investors on the number of female founders seeking and achieving investment. We know there is more to be done and we will be working to attract many more Angel investors to sign the Code in the year ahead.” Gurpreet Manku, BVCA Deputy Director General & Director of Policy, said: “The venture and growth capital community recognises that it needs to work together to improve the levels of funding going to diverse founders. Increasing transparency and access to venture and growth capital investors is key to this and it was great to see more firms sign up to the Code this year. “Our ambition is to increase the number of signatories further and continue to highlight best practices and actions that work.” The government and the Investing in Women Code partners have agreed three priorities for the future:
The report builds on the announcement last month that a new ‘Taskforce on Women-Led High-Growth Enterprises’ will support women entrepreneurs, tackle investing barriers, and increase the number of women-led fast-growing businesses. The taskforce will influence high growth investors, the wider business community, and raise the aspirations of the next generation of female entrepreneurs. The first meeting of the taskforce is expected to be this week. A diverse and inclusive business ecosystem is good for customers, entrepreneurs, businesses, investors, and society. BEIS, together with the Investing in Women Code partners and signatory firms share a commitment to work in partnership to make the UK one of the most attractive countries in the world to start and grow a business by advancing female entrepreneurship. The government is continuing to back UK businesses and livelihoods, including through the Help to Grow Management and Digital schemes, increasing the Employment Allowance and slashing fuel duty. Notes to editors:
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