Empowerment Through Support: Sharing Our Stories
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On International Women’s Day, we take a moment to honor those who have made remarkable achievements in their fields, impacting society significantly and showcasing exceptional character.
The Independent’s Influence List for 2025 celebrates individuals shaping our world. However, it’s equally critical to acknowledge those contributing at a grassroots level—the women who constitute our nation: workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers shaping the economy.
Share your views on what gender equality means to you.
While the UK has made strides in supporting women entrepreneurs and promoting them into leadership roles, we must continue to reach full equality and harness the potential of all genders. It’s important to recognize the benefits of a diverse business landscape for economic growth.
Consider how your financial decisions can influence your retirement lifestyle, or how they empower your daughters to have fulfilling careers and secure their futures.
We see rising female representation in the business world, with prominent figures like Margherita Della Valle at Vodafone and Debra Crew at Diageo leading the charge. Yet, the fact remains there are far more small businesses than publicly traded companies in the UK, and larger advancements are still necessary in this domain.
Gender Index research shows an increasing number of women are starting their own businesses. Yet, as many entrepreneurs know, beginning is merely the first step on a long journey.
However, the support systems necessary to help these founders thrive still require significant development. Many established processes still reflect outdated mindsets where women were not prioritized in the workforce.
“To drive meaningful change for female entrepreneurs, we must prioritize access to funding, networks, and decision-making opportunities,” states Laura Wiggins, investment director at YFM Equity Partners.
“Women often encounter barriers in securing investments, not due to lack of talent but because traditional systems fail to evolve towards inclusivity.”
To advance female-led businesses, government and industry collaboration is crucial in fostering an environment where women’s enterprises receive equal confidence and resources compared to male-led counterparts. Investing in women strengthens businesses and promotes a more balanced economy.
Last year, only 5.8 percent of all investments went to female-led businesses, according to Gender Index.
A YFM case study highlighted the need for greater access to mentorship, improved education at younger ages, and broader representation in investment decisions that extend beyond just the gender divide.
“To foster authentic change, we must address the lack of diversity in decision-making within the investment sector,” notes Karen Barrett, CEO of Unbiased.co.uk. “Funding decisions are often made by homogenous groups that do not reflect the diverse founders they encounter.”
Personal investment is equally essential; consider investing in your own future and the journey towards wealth accumulation.
Data from investment platform Nutmeg reveals that the number of women investing has risen by 71 percent over the last decade, with their risk profiles now comparable to those of male investors. Yet, historical discrepancies in investment perspectives could have hindered their financial growth.
“While it’s encouraging that more women are exploring diverse methods to achieve long-term financial goals, there is still plenty of work to be done in redefining perceptions of risk regarding financial investments,” says Claire Exley, head of financial advice at Nutmeg.
The financial sector must continue evolving to make investment options accessible and appealing to women. This can include elevating female role models in finance, enhancing access to financial education, and offering investment portfolios that align with ethical values.
Investing is not merely about broad concepts; there are specific areas requiring attention. According to Belinda Inocco, head of investor relations at ASK Partners, while the growth of women’s wealth is anticipated to continue outpacing that of men, there remain significant disparities in sectors like real estate.
Only about a third of real estate investors are women, with commercial real estate representation plummeting to approximately 3 percent. As women’s wealth grows, we must bolster initiatives encouraging female participation in real estate investments.
An Opinium survey from Zest shows that 55 percent of women in the UK find their workplace benefits packages lacking, with a third desiring improved pension contributions. This highlights the ongoing need for companies to enhance offerings.
While larger issues such as aviation expansion, renewable energy investments, and stock market activities are essential to the economy, we must remain mindful of the individuals financing and utilizing these services. Enabling everyone to optimize their potential plays a crucial role in fostering broader economic growth.
