March 6, 2025, by aczht

Dr Lorna Treanor leads on inclusive entrepreneurship: A landmark event at the House of Commons 

Dr Lorna Treanor, an Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Nottingham University Business School, is co-author of the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship, which aims to create a more inclusive enterprise ecosystem across the UK. 

Under-represented social groups – including women, ethnic minorities, young people, migrants and people experiencing disabilities – face unique barriers to entrepreneurship. The Charter aims to break down these barriers through policy initiatives, inclusive practices, and collective action, ensuring equal opportunities and outcomes for all. 

The Charter commits to building an inclusive ecosystem where anyone can launch a successful and sustainable business regardless of their personal characteristics or background. 

Nottingham University Business School hosted a landmark event at the House of Commons on inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss how greater inclusivity can drive economic growth. 

Hear from Lorna as she reflects on the event and shares updates following the Charter’s national launch at the Shard, London in October 2024. 

Dr Lorna Treanor: That was the week that was! And what a week that was! 

I’ve been to London quite a bit and have experienced most of the sights – so I’ve walked past Parliament buildings and Big Ben many times. If you’d asked me if I’d ever go inside or how I might envision my first visit to the House of Commons, I probably would have pictured heavy rainfall and it being the nearest refuge to avoid getting soaked! I never thought I’d ever be going to the House of Commons to host an event on the Terrace Pavillion. 

Yet, on Wednesday 26 February 2025 that’s exactly where I was, hosting an event themed ‘Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a pathway to inclusive growth.’  I started my talk by outlining the potential of inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation to fulfil Government objectives of inclusive growth in the context of increasing devolution. I introduced the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship, which provides a framework to create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, to a large turnout of business leaders, policymakers, Venture Capitalists, academics, and diverse entrepreneurs from across the UK.  

Thought-provoking panel discussions 

Then it was time for a panel discussion involving Dr Adigo Atabo, a former surgeon turned med-tech entrepreneur who, supported by the Ingenuity Lab at Nottingham University Business School, founded Persomic; Natalie Gasson McKinley MBE, Senior Policy Manager at the British Business Bank; and Professor Maggie O’Carroll, an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of The Women’s Organisation. 

My research at Nottingham University Business School informed the questions presented to the panel for discussion. The panel was asked how we might finally tackle the continuing problem of discrimination leading to unequal access to finance for some when trying to start or grow their businesses. There was a consensus that the issues were systemic and required systemic change.  

Adigo shared her experience and challenges in seeking finance – her personal story brought to life the reality faced by black women entrepreneurs trying to fund their businesses in a way statistics alone can’t convey. Maggie highlighted the scarcity of funds dedicated to women, despite women comprising 52% of the population. Natalie offered some hope of progress – highlighting a new report from the British Business Bank and suggesting that new developments may be introduced soon.  

The panel also considered other potential challenges highlighted by the research, such as messy ecosystem boundaries and stakeholder definitions and roles. This means that while devolution offers the opportunity for regional experimentation, the challenge may be in capturing and disseminating good practice. There was also recognition of the fear that not all devolved authorities may mandate and dedicate resources to inclusive business support. Based on the Charter’s principles, the panel then considered how we support inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation responsibly, highlighting the need to create routes out of entrepreneurship when necessary and the importance of data in facilitating progress through action and accountability.  

Closing reflections 

The formal panel discussion ended with a Q&A which was brought to a close with one attendee reflecting on the necessity for the Charter and more inclusive practices – as an atypical, underrepresented entrepreneur, others dismissed the potential that she and her business had. Highlighting the current standing of her business showed just how wrong those bystanders were in underestimating her and, also, reinforced the need to create change to avoid the same thing happening to other individuals – constraining, not only their personal wealth creation and ability to change their life outcomes but also, their returns to the national economy that can generate economic renewal characterised by balanced, regional and inclusive growth.  

A special thank you 

A massive thank you to Samantha Niblett MP for sponsoring this event and for her commitment to advancing women’s position in society through her efforts with Labour Women in Tech and her work to support women entrepreneurs and their access to finance.   

Further information

Read more about the event: Nottingham University Business School champions inclusive entrepreneurship at House of Commons 

Find out more about the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship

Learn more about the Ingenuity Lab where students and alumni of the University of Nottingham can explore their business ideas and start their own enterprises.  

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