1. In a global first, new analysis - based on open-government and LinkedIn data-sets - reveals how
companies led by women grow, perform and rank - identifying the fastest-growing and most
dynamic women-led businesses across the UK.
Women-led businesses are 'driving
force' of UK economy

2. 762
women-led companies
£ 1M - £250 Million
are expanding at a Median Growth Rate of
30%
a year

3. Contributing nearly
£ 2 billion more
to GDP in last year!
Cumulative Revenue £7,156,288,364 £8,864,226,404 £1,707,725,675

4. Average turnover up by more than
£ 2 Million in last year!
Average Revenue per
women-led company £9,631,613 £11,930,318 £2,298,419
Median Revenue £2,171,467 £3,236,190 £881,593

5. 453 are growing at
20%
a year
of these:

6. 281 are growing at
50%
a year
and

7. the proportion of women led-businesses
increases
as the size of the businesses increases
&
as the growth rate of the businesses
increases, compared to businesses overall.
11% of businesses are women-led

8. Growing tech companies Run by Women - Turnover

9. Turnover Growth (GBP) vs Growth Rate (%)

10. Turnover in the last year vs Turnover Growth (GBP)

11. Tech Sector
Accounts for 67% of women-led businesses
300
grow at
20%
per annum
188
grow at 50%
per annum

12. Management Consulting growth
Events Services growth
Internet growth
Sector diversity in women-led businesses is strong
PR & Comms growth
88%
42%
33%
28%

13. National Growth
Fast-growing women-led companies
present in all regions of the UK
68% headquartered outside
London
Scottish women-led companies are
growing revenues at a median annual
rate of 30%

14. National Growth
Greater London leads the way
with 273 women-led businesses
(44 in Camden).
Beyond London:
Leeds is a stand out city with
43 women-led companies,
Enterprise M3 and the South
East, home to 29 women-
led companies each
Greater Birmingham and
Solent with 25 each.

15. National Growth across sectors
Food & Drink,
Edinburgh
Information
Technology,
London
Staffing &
recruitment,
London
Manufacturing,
Cambridge
Advertising
Technology,
London

16. Leeds

17. SouthEast

18. EnterpriseM3

19. Buckinghamshire

20. Solent

21. Hertfordshire

22. GreaterManchester

23. Glasgow

24. Edinburgh

25. Household names:

26. We have been long and vocal advocates of building a diverse economy; one
constructed on a foundation of vibrant SMEs led by, and employing, as diverse a
cross-section of the public as possible.
As a community, we must continue to do more to encourage the spirit of
entrepreneurism in young people across the country, to help create the next
generation of British founders and business leaders.
Supporters & Contributors
Xavier Rolet, CEO
I am delighted that we now have the ability to identify and track the growth of female
led businesses as a result of the UK government’s open data policy.
This report confirms that women-led business leadership contributes immensely to
growth and innovation right across the UK and I commend these women and their
organisations for making a significant impact on our economy.
Baroness Shields,
Minister for Internet
Safety and Security

27. Supporters & Contributors
Jacqueline de Rojas,
Chair
I am encouraged to see women in leadership positions all across the UK.
If we are to ensure economic growth, Women, no matter where they live, must have the
opportunity to take on senior roles. Job creation is not and must not be limited to London.
We need to drive productivity right across the UK.
We are delighted to celebrate these women who are making a major contribution to UK
economic growth. I hope by literally, putting them on the map they will find it easier to
find the talent to hire to fill all those orders their customers are placing with them.
I set up Founders4Schools to inspire young people to consider starting their own
businesses. The fact that we now have 762 examples available to inspire the next
generation of girls about the impact they can also have on the world is very exciting.
Sherry Coutu CBE,
Chair & Author of the
Scale up Report

28. Supporters & Contributors
Martha Lane Fox,
Founder
Whilst the data shows the tech sector accounts for (67 %) women-led businesses in
the UK, there is so much more to be done.
If the UK is to leapfrog every other nation on this planet to become the most digital,
most connected, most skilled and most informed on the planet - we urgently need to
address the gender imbalance within the tech sector and ensure that our leaders,
investors and entrepreneurs come from the widest pool of home-grown talent.
This amazing new open data from Founders4schools will support those brilliant
women who are helping drive the UK economy and will enable us to foster the
maximum breadth and depth of digital talent that the UK has to offer.

29. Anya Hindmarch
Barclays
Bailey Fisher Executive Search
BBC
CBI
Cambridge Network
Careers & Enterprise Company
Creative Entrepreneurs
Decoded
Dot Everyone
Entiq
Facebook
Fidelio Partners
FieldHouse Associates
Genius Foods
Go on UK
Seven Hills
Skills Matter
STEMnet
SVC2UK
TeachFirst
The Tech Partnership
Tech UK
Tech London Advocates Womenintech
The Upgroup
Unruly
US Govt
WeAreTheCity
Wired
WISE Campaign
WIT
YourLife Campaign
Google Campus
Grant Thornton
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Imperial Innovations
Innovate UK
Inspiring Fifty
Life Skills
London & Partners
London Stock Exchange Group
Merian Ventures
MIT
New Entrepreneurs Foundation
Salesforce
Scale Up Institute
Second Home
Supporters

30. For more information visit: www.founders4schools.org.uk