Calling for Action on a Women's Business Centre

Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) has issued an open letter to Scotland’s First Minister, calling for action on the Scottish Government’s £50m commitment to a Women’s Business Centre originally promised in the Programme for Government 2021 – 2022.

The open letter comes in the run up to the forthcoming publication of the Programme for Government 2025-2026, expected on Tuesday 6 May.

Carolyn Currie, CEO of WES

“The evidence is stark. Despite more women choosing to start up in business in Scotland over the past decade to the point of parity with men, this growing early-stage activity is not driving an uplift in the longevity of women’s’ businesses. Women-led businesses are failing to thrive due to structural inequalities and support systems which fail to address women’s distinct business needs.”

Women-led employer businesses in Scotland have declined to 20% of all employer businesses[1]. Even more concerningly, the percentage of women-led companies with more than ten employees has dropped to a mere 4.5% of all companies with more than ten employees – figures which demonstrate a regression in women’s economic advancement[2].

Meanwhile, countries with established Women's Business Centre models, such as the United States, have seen remarkable growth in women-owned businesses, which now represent 39% of all businesses. Between 2019 and 2023, these businesses grew revenue by $579.6 billion and added 1.4 million jobs to the American economy[3].

Erica Moore, founder of Eteaket Leaf Tea

“When I started eteaket, I didn’t just need advice. I needed belief, community, and support that understood the reality I was facing. A Women’s Business Centre would be transformational for founders like me. This is not about giving women special treatment. It is about addressing a structural imbalance that continues to cost Scotland billions in missed economic opportunity.”

The US framework of support includes physical Women’s Business Centres providing a blend of expert, women-centric, in-person and digital support. Businesses receiving assistance from Women’s Business Centres see a significantly better success rate than those without similar support[4].

In Scotland the WomensBusinessCentre.com  prototype provides free to access digital support and has demonstrated demand through content, tools and pilot business support courses accessed by thousands of users. Physical Women’s Business Centres have yet to be progressed.

Carolyn Currie

“Providing dedicated Women’s Business Centres in local communities ensures women can access the support they need on a consistent basis. Expert women’s support organisations can offer their courses and events in the buildings and reciprocal relationships can be developed with mainstream mixed-sex business support organisations, optimising support provision and enabling business growth.”

The open letter from Women’s Enterprise Scotland acknowledges the fiscal pressures facing Scottish Government but maintains that this investment cannot be delayed any further as it would directly benefit over 50% of Scotland's start-up businesses, enhance business longevity and significantly contribute to national prosperity.

Erica Moore

“Women-led businesses represent one of our greatest untapped sources of growth. A Women’s Business Centre is not a luxury. It is a long-overdue investment with proven returns. We cannot keep losing brilliant women at the starting line. Now is the time to build the foundation that helps turn ideas into lasting, thriving businesses.”

• Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) was established in 2011 as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) and focuses on the contribution women's enterprise makes to the Scottish economy. 

• Majority women-owned businesses are 20% of the business base in Scotland[5].

• The £8.8bn GVA economic contribution from women-owned businesses is greater than that of many of Scotland’s designated “growth sectors”, such as Sustainable Tourism (£4.8bn GVA) and Creative Industries (£5.7bn GVA)[6].

• Women’s Enterprise Scotland launched the digital Women’s Business Centre in 2020 (www.womensbusinesscentre.com). The first platform of its kind, it provides expert women-centric support and guidance for women across Scotland. It is free to access and offers dedicated, needs-based content for women creating, starting up and scaling business.

  
  

[1] Small Business Surveys Scotland (2023 – 2024)

[2] Gender Index, mnAI (2025)

[3] The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses, Wells Fargo (2024)

[4] Office of Women’s Business Ownership, US Small Business Administration (2025)

[5] Pathways: A New Approach for Women in Entrepreneurship, Ana Stewart and Mark Logan (2023)

[6] Growth Sector Briefings, Scottish Government (March 2025)