Women Leaders Unite in Leeds to Tackle Financial Barriers for Female Entrepreneurs

More than 100 female entrepreneurs, banking representatives, and government officials gathered in Leeds last week for an event aimed at breaking down financial barriers for women-led businesses.

Hosted by UK Export Finance (UKEF) and featuring speakers from Female Founder Finance and the Invest in Women Taskforce, the event celebrated the achievements of British businesswomen while discussing ways to improve access to finance and international trade opportunities.

UKEF, the UK government’s export credit agency, provided over £570 million in financing for small businesses last year. However, research suggests that the UK economy could grow by approximately a quarter of a trillion pounds if women were given greater access to investment opportunities. With this in mind, UKEF is working to enhance its support for women-led businesses as part of its ongoing strategy.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving financial accessibility for female entrepreneurs, highlighting UKEF’s new partnership with Female Founder Finance. This collaboration is set to streamline financing referrals, helping to reduce missed opportunities for women business owners.

Roxanne Goodman, Founder of Female Founder Finance, described the partnership as a “game-changer” for women-led enterprises, emphasising that improved access to trade finance will empower more female entrepreneurs to thrive in international markets.

The event follows the Chancellor’s backing of the Invest in Women Taskforce, which forms part of a broader government initiative to drive economic growth by boosting investment in women-led businesses.

For more details, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/women-leaders-gather-in-leeds-to-help-unlock-sme-business-growth