Female entrepreneurs supported by Metro Bank's campaign championing women in cricket and in business

Four female entrepreneurs and their businesses are being showcased by community bank Metro Bank as part of its partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

By Jo Crafts, Food by Sophie and Bluebird Interiors will feature in a new campaign designed to help inspire more women to achieve their potential in business, cricket and life. The campaign – which launches on September 16th - will showcase how these female-led businesses were put at the centre stage of their community and local county cricket grounds in Southampton (By Jo Crafts), Brighton (Bluebird Interiors) and Bristol (Food by Sophie) during England Women's series against New Zealand.

Recent research found that 55% of women say going it alone is a barrier to starting their own business. Metro Bank not only supports women in business through the Investing in Women Code programme, but also provides every entrepreneur with a local business manager to support them from starting out and as the company grows. As part of this campaign, Metro Bank has used its role as Champion of Women's and Girls' Cricket to demonstrate its support, and through telling the story of these three businesses, aims to inspire other women to see their potential.

Kerry Reynolds, retail and business banking director, Metro Bank says: "We work closely with thousands of businesswomen across the country helping them to grow their businesses. Women also cite lack of mentoring, networking and funding as barriers to business growth and we are working hard to help break down these barriers. Our local business managers can help women network in their local communities, our stores regularly host complimentary business networking and mentoring events and we have a significant range of funding options to support businesses of all sizes and stages of development."

The new campaign included promoting the local businesses and female founders across stadium branding and local Metro Bank stores, and case study videos featuring each of the women will be promoted across Metro Bank and ECB channels.

As part of the campaign, all the female entrepreneurs were invited to the grounds to see their business and brand up in lights. Sarah Glenn, England Cricketer said: "Our partnership with Metro Bank has created so many opportunities for young girls, both in sport and outside of sport, to excel in their careers."