Kelly set to fly the flag for women in enterprise

MANCHESTER businesswoman Kelly Gilmour-Grassam has been appointed to a national taskforce established to promote women in enterprise.

The taskforce has been set up by the largest business organisation in the country, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to champion the needs of UK’s many women-run small businesses.

The 23-year-old, who runs Northern Quarter marketing agency Making You Content, will join 14 other small business leaders from across the UK to build on the recommendations of FSB’s Women in Enterprise report released earlier this year.

FSB’s report, ‘Women in Enterprise: The Untapped Potential’, found women-led businesses face many of the same challenges all small firms encounter – including cash flow issues (42%) and difficulty accessing finance (25%).

However, there appeared to be issues which were more acute for women business owners. Two in five (40%) women said balancing work and family life was a key challenge. Achieving credibility for the business (37%) and a lack of confidence (22%) were also significant hurdles.
 
Gilmour-Grassam said: “We have a huge opportunity to boost growth and prosperity in this country by supporting more women into business. By standing up for business owners who have traditionally been underrepresented in the organisation, we hope to bring a breath of fresh air to the team on a regional and national scale.

“Our first meeting will be held in London on July 27, when we’ll discuss future events, initiatives and an overall agenda for the Taskforce. It’s brilliant to be one of the members representing Manchester. I welcome any feedback from businesswomen in the region in the run up to this meeting.”

She added: “It’s early days for the Women in Enterprise Taskforce, but as a young female entrepreneur with a passion for Manchester business, I can’t wait to get involved and play a positive role in the region.”
 
FSB regional chairman for Manchester & North Cheshire, Simon Edmondson, said: “I know Kelly will be an excellent ambassador for Manchester in this important new position. She has a real passion for business and I look forward to hearing how the Taskforce progresses.”