BTO backs drive to widen access to entrepreneurship through Pathways Pledge

BTO Solicitors LLP has joined the Pathways Pledge as part of its seventh cohort, supporting a growing network of organisations working to widen access to entrepreneurship across Scotland.

Over the next 12 months, this new group will support Pathways Forward’s mission to deliver systemic change for entrepreneurs in Scotland by boosting access to opportunity, networks and investment for female-led and female-founded businesses.

BTO joins a wide range of organisations from across the ecosystem aligned through the Pledge. Its involvement complements the work BTO’s team is already doing to drive inclusion and diversity and by focusing on collaboration and measurable actions, the firm aims to enact real change.

As advisers to high-growth businesses, investors and founders, BTO works closely with companies at key stages of their development. This provides the firm with direct insight into both the opportunities and barriers that shape entrepreneurial growth.

 Jen Paton, a Partner in BTO’s Corporate team, commented:

Through our work with founders and investors, we see where ambition can stall, particularly at the point where access to networks, capital and specialist advice becomes critical to growth. Initiatives like the Pathways Pledge matter because they focus on strengthening those connections and widening access to opportunity. As advisers embedded in the entrepreneurial landscape, we have a role to play in supporting that shift.

BTO has advised a growing number of founder-led businesses in the last 12 months, particularly in the Technology and Healthcare and Life Sciences sectors. At a time when access to capital remains constrained, widening participation in entrepreneurship is critical to unlocking Scotland’s full economic potential.

Fellow cohort members include The Glasgow School of Art, Nile and Maven Capital Partners. BTO will work alongside these organisations — and the wider Pledge community, now totalling more than 40 members — to strengthen the conditions for female-led businesses to start, scale and succeed.

Caroline Carr, Partner and Chair at BTO, said:

The Pathways Report (and the Rose Review that came before it) highlighted the under-participation of women in entrepreneurship across the UK. As trusted advisers within the entrepreneurial community, we’re excited to work with others in our cohort – and beyond – to turn ambition into action and help ensure the pathways into entrepreneurship are open to everyone.

Ana Stewart, Founder of Pathways Forward and Scotland’s Chief Entrepreneur, said:

The seventh cohort launch demonstrates the growing influence and impact of the Pledge initiative. It brings together a diverse group of organisations to collaborate and deliver new, measurable and additive initiatives to existing strategies. It’s great to see both internal and external facing pledges which will be tracked and monitored over a twelve month period. We’re excited to welcome the latest cohort and look forward to connecting them to our Pledge community.”

The seventh cohort will participate in Pathways Forward’s structured ‘living’ programme of activity and peer learning, helping members deliver tangible pledges and share progress across the community.