Most influential female entrepreneurs revealed on the 2016 Maserati 100 list

8th March 2016 – Women central to supporting the next generation of up-and-coming business talent have been named on the second ‘Maserati 100’ index. 

Recently announced by luxury Italian car manufacturer, Maserati and the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE), the definitive list includes leading female philanthropists, investors, mentors and advisors, and ascending entrepreneurs. 

The final list was curated by a panel of experts from the Centre for Entrepreneurs, including its founder, Luke Johnson. The former Chairman of Channel 4 Television and Pizza Express said: “It’s great to see that 29 women from the list of 100 have been acknowledged for their valuable contribution to future entrepreneurs. The recognition of females in entrepreneurship is growing as it should be; currently 26% of the FTSE100 board members are female and around 20% of SMEs are female led*.” 

The influential women from the Maserati 100 list cover multiple sectors including food, fashion and finance. The list also highlights the importance of females from different generations guiding entrepreneurs, with their ages ranging from 25 – 82. Those featured in the list include: 

-              Dame Stephanie Shirley; also known to adopt the name ‘Steve’ in a male-dominated business world, Dame Stephanie launched the Shirley Foundation in 1982. The Shirley Foundation has created and funded various projects in the field of autism and IT. Before the Shirley Foundation was born, Dame Stephanie  also founded Freelance Programmers in 1962, largely employing women with dependents. 

-              Alice Bentinck; one part of a duo who co-founded Entrepreneur First, a pre-seen investment programme. Within just four years, EF participants raised over £42 million and created 50 start-ups. At 29 years of age, Alice’s portfolio continues to grow, having co-founded Code First:Girls in 2013. Code First:Girls aims to increase the number of women in technology and entrepreneurship. 

-              Charlotte Pearce; at just 24 years old, Charlotte Pearce has been hailed ‘the UK’s next Richard Branson’. Charlotte is not only the proud owner of Inkpact, a unique direct mailing business, but also a proactive mentor, helping support young entrepreneurs. With Enactus, Charlotte has been responsible for running workshops, a speaker series and mentoring; inspiring and guiding students with entrepreneurial aspirations.  

‘The Maserati 100’ search was launched at the end of last year and invited members of the business community to nominate the individuals they felt should be recognised for their support of the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

Female entrepreneurs included in the list cover a range of regions including Southampton, Horsham, Poole and Wales. Unsurprisingly, with 33%* of all UK businesses based in London, almost 50% of the business-minded women named on the list are based in London. 

The full Maserati 100 list can be found on a dedicated website: www.themaserati100.co.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors 

*Statistics from the House of Commons Briefing Paper, 7^th December 2015. View online here: www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/sn06152.pdf 

About Maserati

Officine Alfieri Maserati was founded on December 1, 1914 in Bologna, Italy. Since then, Maserati has played a consistently important role in the history of sports car culture and its development. Every Maserati is like a work of art, its perfection expressing the marque’s proud history. This year, celebrating over 100 years of unmistakable styling and technological innovation, Maserati is a company in rapid expansion. With presence in 65 markets worldwide, its role is clearly confirmed as an international ambassador of Italian excellence. This excellence is conveyed every day with passion through products of outstanding performance seen in the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and the new Quattroporte and Ghibli.

For more information on Maserati, visit:

www.maserati.co.uk  

About Centre for Entrepreneurs

The Centre for Entrepreneurs think tank promotes the role of entrepreneurs in creating economic growth and social well-being. It is an independent non-profit organisation chaired by serial entrepreneur and Sunday Times columnist Luke Johnson and housed within the Legatum Institute – a non-partisan think tank best known for its annual Prosperity Index. The Centre is home to the national enterprise campaign, StartUp Britain.  

For more information on the Centre for Entrepreneurs, visit:

http://www.centreforentrepreneurs.org/

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