Open University in Scotland joins Pathways Forward Pledge

The Open University in Scotland has announced our participation as a Pledge partner in the Pathways Forward initiative. Alongside leading organisations such as Converge, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and others, we are committed to taking actionable steps that align with the principles outlined in the Pathways report. 

Pathways Forward is an influential initiative launched to support and empower women in entrepreneurship. Originating from the Scottish Government-commissioned "Pathways: A New Approach For Women in Entrepreneurship" report, Pathways Forward seeks to address the unique challenges faced by female founders and foster an environment where women-led businesses can thrive. The initiative brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors to implement strategies that promote gender equity in entrepreneurship. 

The Pathways Pledge is a core element of this initiative, encouraging organisations to commit to specific, measurable actions that support female entrepreneurs. These pledges are designed to complement existing policies within organisations and focus on areas such as increasing gender diversity, improving access to childcare, and enhancing gender data transparency. By participating in this pledge, partners are held accountable through shared and published results, ensuring real progress toward the initiative's goals. 

Jane Grant, Depute Director of External Engagement and Partnerships at The Open University in Scotland, stated:

“We are delighted to be joining Pathways Forward as a Pledge partner. Entrepreneurial education is a crucial cornerstone in the development of female founders, and as a pioneer in flexible distance learning at The Open University in Scotland, we are best placed to deliver innovative learning opportunities that fit study around life commitments, such as work and/or caring responsibilities.” 

Pathways Forward’s Ana Stewart said:

“We have been overwhelmed by the level of support for Pathways from across the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors, and the Pledge partnership centres on firm commitments to effect change across each organisation. I would like to personally thank all of our Pledge partners to date, and we look forward to more like-minded organisations joining the fold.”

The Open University in Scotland’s involvement in the Pathways Pledge comes at an exciting time as Pathways Forward prepares to host the inaugural Female Founders Growth Summit on 5 September at the RBS Conference Centre in Edinburgh. This summit, held in partnership with Female Founders Rise, will bring together female entrepreneurs and the investment community to focus on scaling businesses—a critical stage in the entrepreneurial journey.

27 August 2024