In September, Centenary Action Business Link hosted it’s fifth meet thanks to recruitment firm Ellwood Atfield, a communication, policy, and advocacy headhunter; bringing together nearly 50 female leaders with Dawn Butler MP, Sarah Olney MP and Dame Maria Miller.
The evening was an opportunity to learn more about the role of members of Parliament, a deeper understanding of their day-to-day and how they interact with businesses.
Dawn walked us through her career working in unions, through to advising the Mayor. Touching on the intersectional lens, the difference in expectation and double-standards when you are a member of the global majority in business or in work. Likewise, Maria shared her career before Parliament in Advertising, and the vocal assumptions made around women in work. Sarah also shared the route to becoming MPs and the challenges faced for women who continue to be the lead-parent.
Whilst Parliament has reached 40% female MPs – it’s highest ever – we still need to elect another 62 female MPs to reach parity. Which in turn will unlock female influence in policy making and have profound impacts more widely in society.
Today, just 18% of businesses are led by women, on average, a female-founded business receives £763,000 in funding compared to £4.7 million for a male-owned company. And we know that if women matched men in receiving business investment, some £250 billion could be added to the UK economy.
In the room, there was a range of female leaders from tech to HR, FMCG to law and hospitality. Each with their own story yet a common thread between them – barriers created by false narratives around gender.
Centenary Action is taking over the stewardship of the APPG Women in Parliament to help reach Mission 2028. If you’d like to find out more contact: CentenaryAction@careinternational.org
