Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning:
The female entrepreneurs of today are creating a better tomorrow for everyone. This International Women’s Day, I am proud to celebrate and recognise their contribution and reaffirm the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting and empowering female entrepreneurs and business owners in Wales.
The Welsh Government welcomes the contribution of women in business and is fully committed to encouraging more women entrepreneurs to start, sustain and grow their own businesses in Wales. The success of female entrepreneurs is not just a win for them personally, but for their entire community. It is a powerful cycle where one person’s success helps to create a ripple effect, lifting others along the way. By fostering an environment where female entrepreneurs can thrive, we are investing not only in their future but in the future of generations.
This week, I had the pleasure of visiting Deploy Tech based in Pontyclun where I met the inspirational business co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Beren Kayali. Deploy Tech manufactures and sells portable air-deployable water storage tanks that are flat packed for transportation and are constructed in situ. I was impressed by the entrepreneur’s achievements and the economic and societal impact of the business. The units have a variety of uses ranging from rainwater harvesting to providing a clean and stable water supply for areas hit by disaster, as well as livestock feeding in areas which are difficult to manage. Beren has been central to the establishment and success of the company to date and has been featured in the European Forbes 30 Under 30 List, UNICEF’s Innovation 30 list and was awarded the 2024 Vodafone Business’ Woman of the Year Innovation Award.
I also had the privilege of hosting a roundtable this week with female business owners, where they shared their personal journeys in entrepreneurship. From these discussions, we delved into the opportunities and challenges they face. The conversation highlighted the essential role that women entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and promoting equality, all while ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce. It was also clear that when women succeed in the workforce, economies grow, families thrive, and communities become more equal.
Research tells us that women-led businesses make up a small percentage of high-growth enterprises in the UK, which means that we are not maximising the opportunities. To address this, we must continue to improve the key drivers of business growth such as access to finance, particularly equity, innovation grants and new markets through export opportunities. Women’s economic empowerment opens up opportunities and choices for women, and the ability for women to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses plays a central role in this process. I am committed to supporting female entrepreneurs on their journey, to unlock these opportunities.
The Welsh Government is committed to delivering business growth in an inclusive way. Business Wales provides access to business advice, opportunities to reach supply chains, and experienced relationship managers that can help navigate the ecosystem and support their journey along with mentors and positive role models to work alongside them as business owners.
Business Wales also offers advice and support on employment, fair work, equality and diversity policies and practices. Equality and diversity is a key part of discussions with clients and includes information such as the Equality Pledge, flexible working rights and duties. We encourage all businesses to adopt the Equality Pledge which provides a practical way for businesses to improve their equality performance in the way they lead their business and services they provide....
To read the full statement please visit: Written Statement: Female Entrepreneurship (6 March 2025) | GOV.WALES
The Welsh Government recognises and supports the importance and contribution that women entrepreneurs make to the economy of Wales: Supporting Women in Wales | Business Wales