Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition 2025: Meet the selection panel
A trio of celebrated entrepreneurs, investors and business champions will select the finalists for this year’s Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, delivered by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
The programme designed to showcase the region’s best women-led SMEs and start-ups is returning for a second year, with the Chamber once again partnering with NatWest and the British Business Bank.
The deadline for female founders and entrepreneurs to enter the competition is 30 September.
A selection panel of three experienced entrepreneurs has been announced. They will pick up to five entrants who will then to through to the final pitching stage.
The panellists are:
- Deb Leary - scale-up director at Innovate UK Business Growth, entrepreneur and former GBCC president
- Nigel Hall – chair; board; advisor; NED and mentor to Founder Entrepreneurs in Tech & Innovation startups and scaleups
- Sharonjit Clare – chair of the WMCA Race Equalities Taskforce; entrepreneur and investor
Deb Leary (pictured) has more than 20 years’ experience of business build, innovation and internationalisation.
She is the founder of Forensic Pathways, a Birmingham-headquartered firm specialising in the development of innovative technologies for the criminal and threat intelligence arena.
Deb is also past president of the GBCC – serving from 2021 to 2023 – and an Export Champion for the Department of Trade and Business.
As a selection panellist, she is advising hopefuls in the pitch competition to be their “authentic self”.
She said: “I’m honoured to be invited to be on the selection panel for the Women’s Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.
“Having started my own entrepreneurial journey some 23 years ago, I know the highs and lows and the commitment, tenacity, and grit it takes to get where you want to be.
“My only words of advice would be ‘be your authentic self, focus, don’t’ try to be all things to all people, speak with conviction, sell the benefits, and know your figures’.
“I wish everyone the very best. You’ve got this!”
Nigel Hall is a seasoned chair, board member and advisor who specialises in the growth and transformation of businesses.
He has decades of leadership experience in multi-national and start-up firms, working across sectors such as tech, media, telecommunications, fintech and health tech.
He currently serves as a board member and chair of the Innovation Board at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP), chair of a UK award-winning accelerator where he helps support, create and deliver economic growth and jobs in the county, and as a boardroom advisor providing advice and guidance to founders and entrepreneurs.
Nigel, who is also an experienced angel investor, said: “Female founders are a driving force for innovation but access to investment networks needs significant improvement.
“I’m truly honoured to be part of the Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition this year alongside the collaborating team of the Greater Birmingham Chambers, NatWest, and the British Business Bank.
“It’s a genuine privilege to be part of a such a tribe and journey that aims bridge this investment gap and to ensure the bold ideas from our region’s top entrepreneurs have the platform and support to thrive.”
Sharonjit Clare is an entrepreneur and investor who has a professional background in financial services.
In 2023, she was appointed as chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Race Equalities Taskforce.
Born and raised in the West Midlands, Sharonjit’s powerful advocacy for equality and inclusion has seen her become a key influencer in the region - addressing a number of areas of WMCA work including economic policy and improving women's safety as co-chair of West Midlands Women's Voice.
She has worked with national bodies like the UK Cabinet Office on diversity in public appointments and honours.
Find out more information about the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.
