Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Urge institutional investors to increase support for female-led businesses and the Invest in Women Taskforce.
Recommendation
Institutional investors, including major banks and pension funds, are a key component of the funding landscape. We call on them to do much more to support female-led businesses, including through supporting the Invest in Women Taskforce. (Recommendation, Paragraph 87)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts this recommendation, stating it is addressing the issue through the Mansion House Accord and British Growth Partnership, coordinating with the Invest in Women Taskforce, and securing commitments from institutional investors to the Women Backing Women Fund of Funds. They are actively working to bring additional Mansion House signatories on board in 2026.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We recognise the vital role that institutional investors play in the funding landscape and in increasing access to finance for female-led businesses. The Government is addressing the lack of UK pension fund investment in innovative UK businesses through the Mansion House Accord and the British Growth Partnership (BGP). Government is engaging with key stakeholders across these initiatives to create better coordination with the Invest in Women Taskforce. Two of the Mansion House Accord signatories, Aviva and M&G, have already committed to the Invest in Women Taskforce funding pot. We are working to bring additional Mansion House signatories on board and will continue to do so in 2026. The Invest in Women Taskforce is channelling large-scale institutional capital into female-led venture funds and female powered and mixed businesses. By empowering both sides of the investment table, the Taskforce is not only unlocking more capital but also redesigning where the capital goes and who controls it. The Women Backing Women Fund of Funds will bridge the gap between institutional investors and diverse fund managers best placed to back female and mixed businesses. Commitments from institutional investors include Barclays, BGF, Nationwide, and the British Business Bank.