Entrepreneurs call for end to gender gap

Two top Scottish female entrepreneurs are to speak at the Scottish Parliament today to mark the centenary of female suffrage as they target the end of the enterprise gender gap in Scotland.

Women’s Enterprise Scotland ambassadors Vicky Brock and Sara Roberts are to give evidence at the parliament’s economy, jobs and fair work committee, sharing their own experiences of creating successful companies and “calling time” on the enterprise gender gap in Scotland, where currently just a fifth of businesses are owned by women.

The duo’s appearance comes 100 years to the day since the Representation of the People Act gained royal assent and gave some women over the age of 30 the right to vote.

Serial entrepreneur Brock, founder of Get Market Fit, said: “We need to get better at creating the business environment where women can thrive, contribute and progress their innovative ideas. I have founded and scaled a high-growth tech business and women do differ from men in the way that they create, scale and manage their businesses. It’s not all about turnover, but taking a wider view of economic value.”

Roberts, founder of Healthy Nibbles, said: “It is hard to believe that 100 years on from female suffrage, we have not achieved the progress we should have. It is simply not acceptable that womenowned businesses represent just 20 per cent of the business base… Innovative action needs to be taken now to unlock the economic growth potential that women represent.” 0 Vicky Brock believes a better backdrop is needed