The WalesOnline 35 Under 35 top young business and professional women in Wales 2020 was announced this week. The women that make up this list are making their mark in business across the whole of Wales, but with an impact that goes well beyond. The 35 women come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, from tech start-ups to artistic ventures, and food firms to beverage businesses.

Francesca James is the creator of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA) and GEN UK National Director, Wales. Founded in 2012 and based in Cardiff, GBEA acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses. The awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names including Julie Deane of the Cambridge Satchel Company and James Watt of BrewDog and is now seen as the premier entrepreneurship event in the UK. Francesca has launched several initiatives through GBEA including a new magazine for ‘Great British Entrepreneurs’, partnerships that add value to alumni (mentoring, support, access to funding), events with purposeful networking,  as well as media outreach on behalf of winners and partners. Francesca was appointed GEN UK National Director, Wales in early 2020. Congratulations from the whole team at GEN UK.