The Telegraph announces Women Mean Business event to support their flagship campaign and recognise the contribution of working women to the economy

In support of The Telegraph’s major campaign, Women Mean Business; and in honour of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, The Telegraph is hosting a landmark event to debate the issues women face in the workplace today. The one day summit will address an audience of 300+ and feature a number of high profile keynote speakers, panels and on-stage interviews.

The Women Mean Business Campaign launched in March 2018 with the signing of an open letter from 200 female founders and inspirational leaders. This was sent to the Government to draw attention to the lack of funding given to female founders (only 9% of VC funding) and has since sparked a government review, which will see recommendations to tackle the issue launched in Spring 2019.

Taking place in London, the event will see powerful influencers including corporate executives, Members of Parliament and successful business owners convene to address the lack of funding for female entrepreneurs. The event will also discuss the gender pay gap, glass ceilings and celebrate women in business through live debates and panels.

The summit will take place on Wednesday October 31, at the Hilton Bankside Hotel. The event will be chaired by Telegraph journalists and Women Mean Business founders, Victoria Harper and Claire Cohen.

Other Speakers will include:

• Jane Sheperdson CBE, Entrepreneur and former Whistles CEO

• Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development

• Nicola  Mendelsohn CBE, vice president EMEA, Facebook

• Dame Helena Morrissey, head of personal investing, Legal & General Investment Management

• Allison Pearson, Author and Telegraph Columnist

• Clare Balding, Broadcaster

• Eileen Burbidge, Founder, Passion capital

• Mary Portas, founder and executive creative director, Portas

• Justine Roberts, founder and chief executive of Mumsnet

• Touker Suleyman, Dragon’s Den Entrepreneur

• Craig Tracey, MP for North Warwickshire

Victoria Harper, Features Director, The Telegraph said: “Work and how it works for women has become one of the most talked about topics of this year. Whether it is the gender pay gap, the funding gap for female founders, which The Telegraph has highlighted with our Women Mean Business campaign, or the need for more flexible working for men as well as women – these are the pressing issues of the day for companies and entrepreneurs. This summit will bring together some of the sharpest of minds to debate these issues and look at innovative ways in which we can all work in the future.”

Claire Cohen, Women’s Editor, The Telegraph said: “It is a great joy to see the impact the Women Mean Business Campaign has had since the launch. This event is an opportunity to debate the issues that we know matter to women the most, and to push this ever increasingly urgent issue to the forefront.”

Chris Evans, Editor of The Telegraph said: "The Women Mean Business campaign has been incredibly powerful, developing into a meaningful discussion on the issue of inadequate and unfair funding for female entrepreneurs. We are delighted that this has begun to drive change at government level.  It will be thrilling to take the campaign to a live setting, where I know the conversation will remain just as passionate.”