I was really pleased to be invited by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to take part in a cross-party virtual roundtable on women’s entrepreneurship in the UK.

As a neurodivergent Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Chartered Scientist, my focus on identity, neuroinclusive workplaces, and inclusive entrepreneurship gave me the chance to highlight how barriers often overlap — particularly where neurodivergence and perimenopause intersect with issues like maternity allowance, access to finance, and workplace support.

Diagnosing or discovering neurodivergence often coincides with perimenopause, when masking becomes harder, executive function challenges increase, and fatigue and sensory load become more disruptive. For women running businesses, this overlap is compounded by rigid funding systems, limited maternity provision for the self-employed, and a lack of menopause-aware policy.

It was encouraging to join a discussion that addressed both the scale of women’s economic contribution and the systemic challenges that hold us back. We explored crucial topics such as:

• Access to finance: Persistent gender bias in lending and investment decisions, leaving many women reliant on credit cards, credit unions, or family support.

• Policy and regulation: Gaps in maternity allowance for the self-employed, Universal Credit treatment of business income, and the absence of tailored micro-business legislation.

• Support systems: Inadequate childcare, elder care, and transport options — all of which make it harder for women to start or scale a business.

• Reproductive health and neurodivergence: How perimenopause and neurodivergence overlap, and the need for inclusive policy design that accounts for this.

• Representation: The lack of visible role models for women entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors like tech.

The group also looked at solutions, including:

• Targeted funding and mentorship programmes

• Long-term planning through a Vision 2050 strategy

• A Micro Business Champion role within government

• Ensuring 50% of British Business Bank funding is allocated to women-led businesses

• Reforming Access to Work to better support self-employed founders

This roundtable was part of a wider effort to surface the barriers women face in entrepreneurship, and to ensure that government policy, funding bodies, and investors recognise the structural and cultural changes needed to unlock growth.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share insights and learn from others. Together, we can highlight best practices and press for policies that enable women entrepreneurs — including those who are neurodivergent or managing perimenopause — to thrive on equal terms.