CONSUMER
Built Differently: How Women Are Redefining Growth in British Business
4 in 6
UK wellness brands acquired by overseas buyers
47%
Growth in no & low alcohol volume in just one year
£1BN+
UK is Europe’s largest plant-based food market
“What we’re seeing across this year’s Fast Growth 100 is a shift in how value is being built – founders leading with purpose, scaling with discipline, and owning the narrative. These women aren’t just growing fast, they’re building business models that last.”
Women-led businesses are not just participating in the UK growth story - they’re reshaping it. This year’s Sunday Times Fast Growth 100 listed 28 companies founded or co-founded by women, underlining the scale of their impact.
At Cavendish, we see this momentum reflected in our own conversations with founders. The most successful aren’t simply chasing revenue. They are embedding purpose, discipline, and clarity into their models, qualities that investors and acquirers increasingly prioritise.
A Different Approach to Scale
The report highlights that women-led companies are often built with stronger governance, sharper focus, and clearer brand positioning. Growth is not pursued at all costs. Instead, it’s shaped by sustainable systems, authentic values, and a deliberate sense of direction.
For investors, that combination is compelling. It creates businesses that are credible, easier to understand, and well-positioned for both capital raises and strategic exits.
Why It Matters Now
The UK funding environment remains challenging, particularly for female founders, who still receive a small fraction of total venture capital. Yet the data shows women-led businesses are outpacing expectations and redefining what growth looks like in practice.
This shift isn’t just statistical. It represents a broader change in how value is created: with purpose, resilience, and brand equity at the centre.
The Cavendish Perspective
From our work with founders, we know that preparation is key. Companies that align purpose with performance, governance with growth, and narrative with numbers are the ones that capture attention. This is what makes them resilient in the near term, and investable in the long term.
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