- Work Hard
- 26th Mar 2026
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Why 50 North East female founders were invited to Downing Street and what happened behind the scenes
It’s not every day you find yourself stepping through the doors of 11 Downing Street, but this week, 50 female founders from across the North East did exactly that.
Bringing together women from Northumberland to Teesside, the reception, sponsored by Moja and North East-based City Ladies Networking, marked a powerful moment for regional entrepreneurship.
Founders from industries ranging from tech to creative and professional services to consumer brands and social enterprise were invited to take part, including our very own Founder and Managing Editor, Laura.
But this wasn’t just about the invite. It was about access, connection and celebrating female founders in the North East.
Alongside the founders stood a mix of investors, business leaders, connectors and government representatives, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Kim McGuinness, Sophie Milliken and Sara Davies MBE. The kind of people who can open doors, spark opportunities and help take businesses to the next level, with connections that go far beyond the room.
REAL ACCESS, REAL CONVERSATIONS
Among the standout moments of the evening was the opportunity for a select few founders to showcase their businesses directly in the room, speaking with Chancellor Rachel Reeves about their products, their growth and the realities of building a business in the North East.
Claire Goodliff, founder of activewear brand Show Up Club, was one of them:
“I joined some incredible female founders from across the North East to talk about funding, growth and how we can bring more investment into our region. Being one of the two founders asked to showcase my business and speak directly to the Chancellor was such a proud moment. It’s an amazing opportunity to get the brand out there. I actually sized Rachel Reeves up with my eyes, so I’ll be sending some pieces her way.”
Tian, founder of Tian’s Gifts, based in Grainger Market in Newcastle, also had the chance to present her products:
“It honestly feels surreal to have been invited to Downing Street. I’m so proud to represent not just my own business, but all of the amazing small businesses we have here in the North East. We work so hard behind the scenes, so to have the recognition means everything.”
A BIGGER SHIFT HAPPENING
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, reinforced just how important moments like this are:
“Boosting regional growth is one of my three big commitments to grow our economy over the next decade, and these women will help make it happen. They’ve shown that the main barrier is access, not ambition. That’s why we’re working with investors and business leaders to open doors that will lead to real change.”
The Chancellor also shared during her speech a small but powerful change she made when joining the Treasury – swapping out the traditionally male-dominated portraits in the reception room (where the event was held) for female figures, making sure women are visibly part of the story too.
Susie Stanford, Partner at business investment firm Growth Partner, added:
“We’re so passionate about backing North East founders. There’s huge potential here, but access to capital and support isn’t always there. So many leaders don’t realise how amazing they are. We’re here to connect, raise their profile and help guide that growth.”
A SHARED FOCUS ACROSS THE REGION
Sophie Milliken MBE, Founder of Moja and Co-Founder of North East-based City Ladies Networking, explained:
“The North East is full of ambitious businesses, but too often they don’t have the same access to networks, visibility or opportunity as other parts of the country. Bringing this group together at Downing Street, alongside people who can open doors, is about changing that. It’s about making sure the right people are in the room.”
It’s a message that reflects a broader, shared focus across the region, with leaders working in different ways to unlock more opportunities for women in business.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“For too long, incredible businesswomen in the North East haven’t had the recognition or funding they deserve. I want this region to be the best place in Britain for women to start and grow a business, because with the right investment, women-led businesses succeed. Today shows exactly why this region deserves that backing.”
MORE THAN JUST A MOMENT
And that was exactly the point. No panels, no pitches – just real conversations.
The focus was on connection, not performance. Founders speaking openly, sharing experiences, making introductions, the kind of networking that actually leads somewhere.
For many in the room, the evening felt like long-overdue recognition of what’s already happening across the North East.
Sara Davies MBE, businesswoman and former Dragon’s Den star, said:
“I’ve built my business in the North East for over 20 years, and I know just how much talent, creativity and ambition lives here. This region is buzzing with ideas and entrepreneurial energy. Recognition like this is a brilliant starting point; it helps showcase the powerhouse we have here and creates more opportunities for founders to grow and succeed.”
And that’s what the evening kept coming back to: connection, visibility and momentum.
Because while the setting may have been Downing Street, the real impact will be felt far beyond it – in the conversations that continue, the opportunities that follow and the doors that, finally, start to open. A very exciting time for North East female founders.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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