24 November 2009 by Sophie
The suffragettes may be long gone, but there's still very much a
need for a female revolution. And this time, it's personal. Oh,
wait, no - it's business, actually.
There just aren't enough female entrepreneurs around. Only 14% of
business owners are women, even though that number has been
increasing year on year.
This isn't just a fight for gender equality. It's a very real
economic need too. 150,000 extra businesses would be created if
women started businesses at the same rate men do.
NatWest is trying to do something to counteract this. It's
established a team of Women in Business Ambassadors across the UK as
part of its Women in Business programme. The team consists
of local female relationship managers, with the aim of supporting
more women to start-up and grow their business.
It's also launching a mentoring competition in partnership with the
Financial Mail on Sunday and everywoman. The prize? Mentoring from
none other than Smarta founder Shaa Wasmund.
Two runners-up will also receive mentoring sessions with senior
members of the NatWest Women in Business Ambassador team and
inspirational female entrepreneurs who have previously won an
everywoman award.
Find out and enter here.