Small Business Britain and Starling Bank launch partnership to accelerate growth of female-led firms
Small Business Britain and Starling Bank launch partnership to accelerate growth of female-led firms
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Small Business Britain and Starling Bank have announced a major year-long partnership aimed at increasing the number of female entrepreneurs in the UK, following new evidence that women’s participation in business ownership is declining.
The collaboration will launch formally in early 2026 with a free national training programme, Female Founder Fundamentals: the definitive guide to starting and growing your business.
The initiative will provide online masterclasses, peer-learning sessions and support focused on confidence, financial skills, business growth and founder wellbeing.
The programme follows joint research revealing that 60% of female founders struggle to switch off from work.
The partnership began with a large networking event held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on 8 November, leveraging Starling’s existing sponsorship of the club.
More than 150 female entrepreneurs attended the gathering, which took place ahead of the Women’s Super League fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea and showcased the intersection of women’s achievements in business and sport.
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, said: “There’s such incredible energy when women come together to celebrate success and support one another, whether in business or on the pitch.”
She added: “This event with Starling at Arsenal Emirates Stadium was the perfect way to kick off our new partnership and to spotlight the confidence, community and ambition that drive female founders forward. Together, we’re building on that momentum with a new training programme to help even more women start and grow brilliant businesses.”
Michele Rousseau, Chief Marketing Officer at Starling, said: “Starling is proud to be a female-founded bank. We stand behind female founders who are driving innovation and growth across the UK.
“This partnership with Small Business Britain reflects our commitment to helping people be good with money, whether that’s through financial tools, skills development, or simply celebrating their achievements.”
The year-long programme will be delivered by established female founders. Finance specialist Faye Watts will lead a session on Accessing Finance & Investment, providing guidance on funding options and sustainable growth strategies.
Web design expert Cheryl Laidlaw will run an AI for Productivity masterclass exploring how artificial intelligence can streamline business operations and support expansion.
The partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to strengthening the role of female founders within the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses.
Despite their importance to the wider economy, recent UK Government figures show that women led just 14% of SME employers in 2024, down from previous years, while women account for roughly 30% of solopreneurs. Analysts estimate that £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.
The Emirates Stadium event also gave entrepreneurs the chance to discuss barriers and opportunities facing women in business.
The partnership aims to boost the support available to female founders, particularly supporting more early-stage businesses to scale, and forms part of Small Business Britain’s mission to boost the number of female entrepreneurs leading SMEs to 30% by 2030.
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