THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Ayrshire Branch held its AGM and elected an all-women committee, which is believed to be the first ever all-women branch committee in its 41 year history.

The Ayrshire Branch’s AGM was held with Elma Murray, CEO of North Ayrshire Council, and Chris McAleavey, Deputy CEO of East Ayrshire Council, as guest speakers.

Ada Galloway, the FSB’s Ayrshire Branch Chair, said: “It’s really exciting to have an all-women branch committee in Ayrshire. I am passionate about women's role in business and hope to see many more female entrepreneurs, so it’s fantastic to have these great Ayrshire businesswomen on board.

“Women play a big role in the Scottish economy. Women-led businesses contribute more than £5 billion, but if rates of women-led businesses equalled that of men, the contribution to Scotland’s GVA would increase to £13 billion, according to the Women’s Enterprise Scotland.

“More and more Scottish women are in work, but issues such as gender pay gap still remain. We need more women in sectors such as science, engineering and technology as well.

"To address these issues, I lead on the FSB’s work on female entrepreneurship in Scotland and am part of the Womenomics Review Group chaired by Professor Lesley Sawyers. I want to do more in Ayrshire to encourage female entrepreneurship and plan to work with schools, colleges and universities.

“I am totally committed to strengthening women’s role in business, and I really look forward to working with this great all-women branch committee.”

The new branch committee consists of Ada Galloway, Alison Tait, Maggie Ramage, Carol Dickie and Sandra Diamond.