NATWEST OFFER WALES'S FEMALE BUSINESS 

OWNERS A NEW WAY OF DOING BUSINESS

Meet the Women in Business Ambassador for South Wales                

Maria Williams, who is part of a team who are revolutionising the 

way  local female Entrepreneurs are supported by their bank. 

The team were formed as NatWest and RBS became the only 

UK Banks to offer relationship managers dedicated to female 

entrepreneurs. The team are one of many based across the UK, 

dedicated to supporting and developing female enterprise as part 

of the Banks' new unrivalled  Women in Business service. Whilst 

the 100 ambassadors all have previous experience supporting                                                              

small businesses they are provided with additional training to tailor 

their support to the specific needs of their female customers. 

The service was launched in response to the continuing lack of

 female entrepreneurs in the small business sector. At present

women represent only a third of those self employed in the UK, and

 if they were to start businesses at the same rate as men there

would be another 150,000 new start ups every year. Whilst women

owned businesses remain such a minority, 

NatWest and RBS feel there is good cause to be innovative and 

offer a specialised service that helps nurture female enterprise to 

more encouraging levels. 

One of the key areas the Women in Business Ambassadors are 

focusing on is helping women  gain confidence around starting 

their own business. Research shows that whilst 20% of women 

consider starting a business only half of that 20% actually do.

 NatWest Business Manger, Maria Williams has worked within the 
Financial Services sector for over 20 years. 
 
Q: What was your first job in the bank?
A: I joined the Bridgend branch after I left school. I always enjoyed
meeting new people and wanted to work in an environment that 
allowed social interaction whilst building foundations for my future 
career.
 
Q: What does you role as Business Manager entail?
A: I work closely with small to medium size businesses and assist 
them in the growth of their business. I thoroughly enjoy my job and 
it offers me great opportunity to meet a diverse range of 
hardworking and motivated individuals. 
 
Q: What is your favourite part of your job?
A: Variety! No two days are ever the same. I have recently become 
an ambassador for WIB (Women In Business) in Wales and this 
allows me to get involved with supporting like-minded Business 
Women, which is something I feel passionate about.
 
Q: How did you get involved in WIB?
A: NatWest Business has sponsored the Everywoman Awards 
for the past 5 years, the UKs leading provider of training and 
support for women in business. We have several female 
business managers in the area and understand the importance 
of supporting and assisting women starting out in business. 
 
Q: How do you feel as a woman in business?
A: I have always been ambitious and eager to learn and 
have succeeded by working hard. It has at times been 
difficult to juggle home life and career aspirations and 
therefore I feel I can really identify with my female 
customers who are faced with similar challenges. 
 
Q: What do you plan to do within you role?
A: We will look to celebrate Female Business success in 
the local areas. We will gather women at all stages of
their business careers together to offer support, 
guidance and share experiences. 
 
If you wish to contact Maria directly please 
call 07879 412070 or 
email maria.w.williams@natwest.com.