About Business Women Scotland
Business Women Scotland (BWS) is a community for women in business across Scotland, bringing women together to connect, learn, share opportunities and celebrate success.
For more than 18 years, BWS has created opportunities for women to build meaningful business relationships, raise their profile, access expertise and be part of a community that understands the journey of building a career or business.
Founded by Lynne Kennedy MBE, BWS has grown from a vision to connect women in business into an established platform delivering community, membership, events, industry networks, media and awards across Scotland.
Winner of 2024 BWS Top 100
Suzie McCafferty MD of Platinum Wave.
What We Do…
What We Do
CONNECT
We create opportunities for women to meet, build relationships and expand their professional networks.
From regular community events to industry lunches, BWS provides spaces for genuine conversations and connections.
SUPPORT
Business can sometimes feel like a lonely journey.
Our community provides access to people, expertise, resources and conversations that can help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of business and leadership.
PROMOTE
We believe women should have opportunities to tell their stories and raise their profile.
Through BWS events, digital platforms, our magazine, member opportunities and media, we help shine a light on the women and businesses within our community.
CELEBRATE
Success deserves to be recognised.
Our awards celebrate the achievements, leadership, innovation and contribution of women across Scotland, providing a platform for women to be recognised and celebrated.
18 Years of BWS
From one idea to a community across Scotland
BWS was created with a simple idea: bring women together and see what happens.
Over the past 18 years, that idea has developed into a growing community connecting women across Scotland.
Through changing economic times, new ways of working and an ever-changing business landscape, one thing has remained constant:
Women want connection, community and opportunity.
BWS continues to evolve to meet those needs.
Our Community
A community for women at every stage
BWS brings together women who are:
Building a business
Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to grow, develop and connect.
Leading organisations
Senior leaders and decision-makers building successful teams and organisations.
Developing their careers
Women looking for connections, knowledge, confidence and new opportunities.
Supporting the business community
Professional advisers, corporate organisations and businesses that want to connect with and support women in business.
Different businesses. Different experiences. One community.
Our Founder
Lynne Kennedy MBE
Founder of Business Women Scotland
Lynne Kennedy founded Business Women Scotland more than 18 years ago with a passion for bringing women together and creating opportunities.
With a background spanning interior design, television set design, publishing and entrepreneurship, Lynne has spent much of her career creating platforms that connect people, ideas and businesses.
She was awarded an MBE for services to women in business in 2021.
Today, Lynne continues to lead BWS with the belief that the right connection can change the direction of a business, a career or even someone's confidence in what is possible.
"BWS has always been about people. It's about creating a community where women can connect, support each other, share opportunities and celebrate what they achieve."
[MEET LYNNE]
Our Partners
Stronger together
BWS works with organisations across Scotland that share our commitment to supporting women and creating opportunities.
Our corporate partners, sponsors and supporters help us deliver meaningful events, conversations and opportunities for our community.
Our Vision
We are committed to empowering women at every stage of their professional journeys. Through our events, mentoring programs, and educational courses, we strive to help our members achieve their ambitions and build meaningful connections that lead to long-term success.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community and supporting you on your business journey.
Kind Regards,
Lynne Kennedy MBE
Founder, Business Women Scotland