FEMALE entrepreneurs in Craven are being urged to take part in a survey that will capture the challenges and opportunities they face doing business and allow their voices to be heard, influencing future regional policy.

The research, which is being carried out as part of a collaboration between Enterprise Works at the University of York and the Federation of Small Businesses, (FSB) will look at how women are overcoming social bias and barriers to business as well as what needs to be done to remove the necessity for continued gender equality conversations over the next decade.

Numerous reports have highlighted the benefits of female entrepreneurship to the British economy, demonstrating their untapped potential and the necessity to address challenges women face in succeeding in business.

Professor Kiran Trehan, University of York, who is leading the research, said: "The detailed research is a vital part of the information we need to gather for what will be an immensely powerful piece of research which will inform the opportunities and challenges that impact on female business owners.

"By better supporting the needs of our region's female founders and entrepreneurs, we can support not only the economic development of our region but also its social fabric - enabling inclusive growth equality, opportunity and a fairer economy."

The team is encouraging women who are either self-employed, own a business or considering setting up a new business, to complete the ten minute survey by January 22. Find it at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IbHIiKGqmuO0JtNr7xLkO9MxRsvGIRhzZEh7lp0XmVg/viewform?edit_requested=true#question=284444176&field=1316515140