Over 100 trailblazing female entrepreneurs, senior industry figures, and government officials gathered in Leeds for the UKEF 'Northern Women in Business' reception—an event dedicated to empowering women-led businesses and unlocking global trade opportunities.
Hosted by UK Export Finance (UKEF) at The Studio, the event spotlighted game-changing initiatives aimed at dismantling financial hurdles that women in business face. With expert insights from Female Founder Finance and the Invest in Women Taskforce, the reception underscored the urgent need for greater investment in women-led enterprises—a move that could inject a staggering £250 billion into the UK economy, according to the Rose Review.
UKEF, a key government department supporting UK businesses with export financing, contributed £3.3 billion to the economy last year, backing 41,000 jobs nationwide. Now, the agency is doubling down on its commitment to female entrepreneurs, having recently partnered with Female Founder Finance to streamline funding access and open doors to global markets.
Minister for Exports, Gareth Thomas, reaffirmed the government's commitment to breaking down barriers for women-led businesses, emphasizing that improving access to finance is a top priority. Meanwhile, Roxanne Goodman, Founder of Female Founder Finance, hailed the UKEF collaboration as a "game-changer," ensuring more women-led firms get the support they need to scale internationally and thrive.
This event comes hot on the heels of the Chancellor's backing for the Invest in Women Taskforce, an ambitious initiative set to create one of the world's largest investment funds for female founders. With women entrepreneurs proving to be a driving force in the UK economy, this marks a pivotal moment in the push for financial equality and global success.
