SEMLEP have teamed up with NatWest to bring together Women in Business across the South East Midlands.

One of the greatest tools we have to support female led businesses is to be able to have a 121 discussion covering a wide aspect of business growth challenges such as Risk, Lending, taking payments just to name a few.

NatWest has worked with the Everywoman foundation to train all of its Business Growth Enablers to be accredited Women in Business Specialists which give us a greater understanding of the challenges that female led businesses have and how we can support those.

In March 2019, Alison Rose CEO of NatWest Holdings set out the finding and recommendations of the independent review into female entrepreneurship as commissioned by HM Treasury in September 2018.

The Rose Review found five key barriers that lead to the lower rates of entrepreneurship amongst women: –

1. Lower access and awareness of capital
2. Greater risk awareness
3. Perceived missing skills & experience
4. Disproportionate primary care responsibilities
5. Lack of relatable sponsorship/mentorship/role models

Following the publication of the review, NatWest established the ‘Expert in Residence’ Programme. This initiative invoices a member of NatWest staff, working hand in hand with their Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) / Growth Hub to encourage collaboration and deliver positive action on supporting diversity and inclusion in business.

Through this partnership, NatWest & SEMLEP intend that more female led businesses are profiled, encouraged, and provided the knowledge and experience to help close the gender gap. This will ensure that we can create more female role model businesses to grow and scale, inspiring others to take the step into business creating jobs and opportunities.

 Book now.