Female Founders Spark Debate on Leadership Language as Stocks React to Gender Dynamics

Hannah Cranston, the CEO of the PR agency HCM, has sparked a conversation about the term "female founder." This debate has highlighted the evolving realities of leadership and the language used to describe women in business. Some women view the term as a badge of pride, reflecting the challenges they face due to their gender and amplifying women's achievements in creative leadership. Charlotte Ferris, founder and creative director of STUDIO.C, believes that the term makes noise about the incredible things women are doing, not because of their gender, but because they can.

Louise O'Kane, creative director and founder of LULACREATES, also sees value in the term, particularly when it comes to community-building. She has found support, business guidance, and inspiration in female-focused communities that she might have struggled to find elsewhere. With women still vastly underrepresented in creative leadership, O'Kane believes the label can help drive change.

However, not all women welcome the label. Rowena Curlewis, CEO and co-founder of Denomination, finds the term increasingly outdated and feels that it sometimes comes across as "a polite pat on the head rather than a badge of honour." She believes it risks reinforcing the idea that women-led businesses are an exception rather than the norm. Daniela Castiblanco, founder and creative director of Gracias Company, shares similar frustrations, stating that she runs a design studio, not a “female-founded” one.

Some founders see the term more pragmatically. Adrienn Major, founder of POD LDN, uses it strategically to attract clients who actively look for women-led businesses. Emily Holden, co-owner of Now Medical Studios, acknowledges the practical benefits of the term, particularly when applying for diversity funding. However, she ultimately wants the work to speak for itself.

The debate around “female founder” is part of a wider conversation about language, identity, and power. Charlotte Sunnen, a designer and strategist, brings a valuable cross-cultural perspective, noting that in French, feminising job titles are becoming more accepted, but in English, adding “female” to a title feels like a double standard. This debate underscores the complexities of gender representation in the business world and the ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.