In the run-up to International Women’s Day on Sunday, we take a look key players in the making a difference in Cumbria’s business community.

A number of businesswomen behind some of Cumbria’s most successful food and drink brands are leading the way and are taking the industry by storm.

Nina Matsunaga, head chef at The Black Bull in Sedbergh, is a recent winner of the Olive Magazine Chef award for innovation, holds an AA rosette for culinary excellence and is one of only five female head chefs to feature in the Estrella UK Top 50 Gastropubs.

She said: “Many women carry family responsibilities in addition to their business responsibilities, talking about this and how we can best balance or don’t balance this is really important, especially in the context of the hospitality sector.

“We need to normalise these conversations. By having these conversations with other like-minded women, you quickly realise what is possible.

“Confidence is without doubt a key issue, which is all too frequently impacted by the lack of access to female role models in hospitality.

“By building these networks and by providing access to these role models we can encourage more women to join the industry and make a successful career for themselves.’’

Catherine Connor is co-owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery and alongside husband Aidan collected five national bakery awards in 2019 and the business was named Cumbria’s Best Bakery in the 2020 National Bakery Awards.

She said: “In recent years there has been some headway made to break down some of the barriers for women in business, but there is still a long way to go before we see parity.

“In my experience working through issues, discussing opportunities, developing links and a support network with other entrepreneurs can be hugely valuable, which is why it’s important that budding female entrepreneurs have access to these individuals to help them grow and develop.’’

Lisa Smith, owner of Ginger Bakers, is also making her mark on the national food and drink scene.

She is also involved in the Family Business Placement Scheme and the Women in the Food Industry network, alongside numerous regional business mentoring schemes and is a central figure in the This Is Cumbria food and drink network alongside Maria Whitehead, co-owner of Hawkshead Relish.

She said: “The 2019 Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship shed light on barriers faced by women starting and growing businesses in the UK and identified ways of unlocking this untapped talent.

“The Government is to be applauded for their response to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by 600,000 by 2030.

“But it’s now essential that the three areas identified to help female entrepreneurs are acted on – to provide increased access to funding; increase greater family care support: and make entrepreneurship more accessible by providing support through relatable and accessible mentors and networks.’’

Maria, whose firm exports to 12 countries and received an MBE for her services to the food and drink industry, said: “Women still remain under-represented among entrepreneurs.

“They are half as likely as men to start a business. It is not simply just a gender or a fairness issue, it’s more of an issue in terms of missed economic growth.

“By addressing the gender gap, policymakers would unleash a wealth of ingenuity and creativity in a hitherto untapped segment of our society.”