NatWest is rolling out its She Scales initiative nationwide after a pilot programme attracted more than 1,800 attendances and boosted confidence among female entrepreneurs.

The initiative, delivered through the NatWest Accelerator programme, offers networking events, practical workshops, co-working sessions and an online community designed to help women start and grow their businesses.

NatWest said She Scales has hosted 68 events across 13 Accelerator hubs since March 2026. Survey responses from 211 attendees found that 95.7 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied with the programme, while every respondent said they felt more confident or better equipped to build their business after attending.

The bank developed the initiative after female founders identified three priorities for business support: a stronger sense of belonging, greater visibility for themselves and their businesses, and better access to opportunities that could help them grow.

Alongside the in-person events, the Female Founders Community on the NatWest Accelerator app has attracted more than 1,900 members in less than six months, making it one of the platform's fastest-growing communities.

Sessions cover topics including AI, marketing and funding, while also connecting entrepreneurs with experienced founders, potential collaborators and NatWest Accelerator teams.

London recorded the highest attendance, with 436 people taking part across 11 events. Leeds attracted 232 attendances across three sessions, averaging 77 participants per event.

The programme has already supported founders including Stacey Smith, who launched activewear brand JAN after joining She Scales in Newcastle, and Helen Evans, founder of Business Growth Support Services, who has delivered sales workshops for entrepreneurs through the Birmingham hub.

NatWest said She Scales will continue to expand as it opens additional Accelerator hubs across the UK.

Sharniya Ferdinand, strategic partnership inclusion lead at NatWest Accelerator, said: “Starting and growing a business can be isolating, and founders told us they wanted more than occasional networking. They wanted a trusted community where they could build practical skills, raise their profile and form connections that lead to real opportunities.

“Taking the experience nationwide will give more women access to the confidence, visibility and connections they need to move their businesses forward.”

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