BCC urges action to promote female entrepreneurship
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is urging action to increase the number of female entrepreneurs in the UK.
The Government is particularly keen to increase the numbers of entrepreneurs in the UK, which they see as important for wealth creation.
The report, produced jointly with the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), makes a number of recommendations to improve the proportion of women running their own businesses.
They call for high level government commitment to “mainstream the development of women’s enterprise.”
In addition they call for a cross sector promotion of female entrepreneurs as role models, improved childcare arrangements, and emphasis on the importance of networks and how women use networks.
GEM research places the UK 7th in a global league of female entrepreneurship, behind countries like the US, Canada, Greece and Spain.
In addition the gap between the number of male and female entrepreneurs is also wider than in a number of comparable western countries.
Isabella Moore, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “We need to combat the low perceptions that women have of their own capabilities to set up a business which is partly responsible for the lower levels of female entrepreneurship.”
She noted though that the situation in the UK is improving with these results showing increased confidence among women in their entrepreneurial ability.
Dr Rebecca Harding, director of GEM UK and the author of the report said: “There is a lot here to celebrate about female entrepreneurship.
“Women are more likely to be seeking out opportunities than men, are more innovative and have stronger networks with other businesses and research institutions.
“The challenge now is how to unlock this potential since, by encouraging women into business, the Government could clearly make strides in achieving its strategy of innovation-led growth through enterprise.”
Nicholas Bojas, senior policy advisor in the CBI’s Enterprise Group told politics.co.uk: “If we really are going to encourage female entrepreneurs to start and grow their business, the UK has to be more positive towards risk-takers … We need a culture change, which must start at an early age.
“In particular, learning about enterprise and its risks and rewards should be properly integrated within the school curriculum.”
