UMi visits Downing Street to celebrate North East female founders

Julie Cuthbertson recently represented UMi at a special reception held at 11 Downing Street, celebrating the achievements and ambitions of female founders from across the North East.The North East Female Founders

Reception was hosted by the chancellor of the exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, in partnership with Sophie Milliken MBE and City Ladies Networking. The event brought together an inspiring group of founders, investors, leaders and well connected supporters of entrepreneurship from across the region, spanning Northumberland to the Tees Valley.

The aim of the reception was simple: to raise national visibility for the North East’s vibrant start up and scale up ecosystem, strengthen relationships, and create opportunities for investment, partnership and business growth. It also shone a spotlight on the vital contribution female led businesses make to jobs, innovation and economic growth across the region.

Julie joined around 50 founders and ‘super connectors’, alongside investors and strategic leaders. The event created space for meaningful conversations about shared challenges and opportunities, and about how government, investors and industry can work together to unlock long term, sustainable growth in the North East.

Reflecting on the experience, the reception highlighted several key themes:

• The strength and diversity of the North East’s start up and scale up community.
• The real impact female led businesses have on growth and employment.
• The power of collaboration between founders, funders, government and support organisations.

It was a positive moment of recognition for the region and its entrepreneurs, and a reminder of the importance of connection, visibility and practical support in helping more women start, sustain and scale their businesses.
We’re proud to see Julie representing UMi at an event of national significance and continuing to champion the businesses and founders driving growth across our region.