RBS’ new boss Alison Rose last week announced £1bn in funding through Natwest to support female entrepreneurs in the UK.
Rose will aim to support the creation of 50,000 startups by 2023 by inspiring half a million people to consider starting a business, of whom at least 60 per cent will be women.
Before becoming the bank’s first female boss, Rose led a government-backed review which found that the single biggest barrier facing female entrepreneurs is a lack of funding.
“Building a business is often tough and lonely and can be harder than it needs to be,” Rose said.
The Rose Review found that women launch businesses with 53 per cent less capital on average than men and are less aware of funding options.
She added: “By tackling the most important issues facing our entrepreneurs, we can make a real difference to those who need it most, especially in female-led businesses.”
Simon Clarke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said it is “shocking” that only a third of entrepreneurs are women.
He added: “This £1bn of funding is a tremendous step forward and demonstrates the finance sector’s commitment to promote female entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom.”
Business secretary Andrea Leadsom also welcomed the funding.
She said: “RBS is offering a real boost for the country’s female entrepreneurs and for the whole British business community. Their new investment supports our ambition to make the UK the best place in the world to work and to grow a business.”
Source: CityA.M.
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