This week, Wigan Council’s Business Consortium hosted its Business Bitesize event at Wigan and Leigh College ahead of International Women’s Day. The event featured a keynote speech from solicitor Cecilia Goodwin, followed by an industry panel Q&A and networking session.

Despite the barriers women often face in the business world, a recent UK Government report highlights a record number of female business owners. The FTSE 2025 report, backed by the UK Government, Lloyds Banking Group, and KPMG LLP, reveals that women now hold 43% of board positions across 350 FTSE companies. These statistics showcase the significant progress being made in some of the UK’s most reputable businesses.

However, despite progress in the industry, barriers such as access to funding, networking opportunities, and primary care remain significant, as highlighted in recent findings by Prowess. The 2025 Gender Index reveals that only 19.1% of UK companies are female-led, and women receive just 5.8% of all investments. Many women at the conference echoed these challenges, emphasising that childcare and balancing family life continue to be major concerns—issues that have seen little improvement in recent years.

Cecilia Goodwin, a leading criminal defence solicitor and founder of Goodwin and Rose, opened the evening with a powerful talk centred on the theme of resilience. Reflecting on her early life, she shared the heartbreaking experience of losing her mother shortly after the birth of her younger brother—a moment that became a defining turning point for her. From that point on, she took on the role of mother, aunt, and best friend to her little brother. She recounted attending his parents’ evenings and tutoring him in English, illustrating the sacrifices and strength she had to develop from an early age.

After the birth of her younger brother—a moment that became a defining turning point in her life—she took on the role of mother, aunt, and best friend to him. She recalled attending his parents’ evenings and tutoring him in English, showcasing the sacrifices and resilience she had to develop from an early age.

Following her powerful talk, an industry panel featured leading women from various sectors within the business world. The panel included Criminal Defence Lawyer and founder of Goodwin and Rose, Cecilia Goodwin; Assistant Vice Principal for Wigan and Leigh College, Louise Brown; Innovation Specialist for BGH, Tasha Moorhouse; and Director of Wigan Pier Productions, Anne Hurcombe.

A Q&A session gave the audience the opportunity to explore key challenges facing women in business today, including imposter syndrome, childcare, and increasing opportunities in traditionally male-dominated industries such as Science, Tech, and Construction. The predominantly female audience resonated deeply with these discussions, drawing on their own experiences and reflections, fostering a sense of hope and shared solutions for women navigating the business world.

One topic that seems to require improvement is access to more flexibility in childcare. Many women feel they must leave their careers when expecting a child, and when they return to the workplace after maternity leave, they often find themselves in a worse position than before. According to a study from TotalJobs and the Fawcett Society, one in four mothers has handed in their notice due to childcare challenges, with one in five considering leaving their job for the same reason. It’s clear from discussions at the panel and across society that issues such as flexibility, women feeling undervalued or overlooked, and societal pressures are factors that need to be addressed.

Louise Brown, one of the guest panelists, reflecting on the event, said, “Empowering women in business isn’t just about celebrating progress; it’s about breaking down the barriers that still hold many back, from overcoming imposter syndrome to navigating the challenges of balancing work and family.”

The Wigan Business Consortium hosted an event that empowered women in the borough by showcasing the amazing business growth and community action led by female entrepreneurs. There’s nothing more powerful than women coming together to advocate for improvement, while also celebrating the success of those across the borough who are truly excelling.