London Stock Exchange welcomes the Invest in Women Taskforce to open the market
Launched in 2024, the Invest in Women Taskforce is an industry-led government-backed initiative co-chaired by Hannah Bernard OBE, Head of Barclays Business Banking and multi-exit entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow OBE. Endorsed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, its mission is to make the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur by unlocking capital, championing female investors and reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape to support inclusive long-term growth.
Despite evidence that female-led businesses deliver an estimated 35% higher ROI, just 2% of equity investment in 2024 went to all-female founded teams, meanwhile, all-male businesses continue to receive over 80% of equity capital. Women currently represent just 15% of senior investor teams and 14% of angel investors, limiting diversity in decision-making across all stages of investment, missing opportunities to maximise returns.
The government-backed Taskforce aims to change this by increasing access to capital and unlocking the power of female investors. In November 2024, the Taskforce convened an initial £255 million in funding commitments from seven partners - Barclays, M&G, the British Business Bank, Morgan Stanley, Visa Foundation, BGF & Aviva - to be deployed by female investors into female entrepreneurs across the UK. A significant step towards reshaping the landscape.
The London Stock Exchange is proud to welcome the Invest in Women Taskforce and its mission to create a more equitable, dynamic and inclusive ecosystem.
“The Taskforce are delighted to open the market today to mark this milestone. The funding gap is not just a gender issue – it’s a growth issue. Backing women isn’t a moral obligation; it’s a commercial opportunity. We’re proud to be working with investors and the Government to help shift the dial and ensure that female entrepreneurs have the backing they deserve.”
Hannah Bernard OBE and Debbie Wosskow OBE
Co-chairs of IWT
