Co-Women club expands across Sussex with inclusive sponsorships and Glasgow launch plan

Co-Women, a social and networking club dedicated to supporting female-led businesses, is expanding its reach across Sussex and beyond, with ambitious plans to launch in Glasgow later this year. Founded by Jo Child, the organisation is focused on fostering a collaborative and inclusive community for women entrepreneurs, freelancers, and career changers.

Recently honoured as Community of the Year at the Brighton Girl Awards, Co-Women offers a distinctive approach to business networking. Unlike traditional groups, Co-Women promotes collaboration over competition and welcomes members from all industries without any restrictions. This open-door policy aims to bring together a diverse range of female professionals to share expertise, resources, and support.

In line with its mission to ensure inclusivity, Co-Women has introduced three fully-sponsored memberships targeted at women from marginalised communities. This initiative is part of their ongoing growth strategy and has been made possible through a partnership with DEI Consultancy, Cultural Nexus Ltd. Currently, two of the sponsored memberships have been allocated, with one remaining available.

Jo Child, founder of Co-Women, explained the club’s unique ethos and approach in an interview with The Argus: "We’re not your average networking group. Unlike traditional networking groups, we don’t have an industry lock out policy as we actively promote collaboration over competition. Membership with us provides you with affordable access to a wealth of expertise and resources to grow your business. From deep conversations to dancing on tables, Co-Women is here to make your social life sparkle while your business grows. And with these sponsored memberships, we’re making sure more incredible women get a seat at the table."

The club warmly welcomes women at all stages of their business journey, emphasising an environment free from pressure to conform or compromise personal identity. This supportive atmosphere encourages members to connect authentically, share their experiences, and collectively enhance their professional development.

Cecilia Harvey, founder of Cultural Nexus, highlighted the importance of the sponsorship programme, stating to The Argus: "Empowering women from all backgrounds isn’t just important - it’s essential. At Cultural Nexus, we believe in accessibility and social mobility. Valuing those voices that are too often unheard means giving someone the confidence that comes from being truly included. Supporting Co-Women in offering these sponsored memberships means more than just access to events; it means access to opportunities, collaborations, and a safe (vibrant and very fun) community."

Co-Women continues to expand its influence and membership base, positioning itself as a key player in supporting female entrepreneurship in the UK. By offering an inclusive, dynamic network, it is enabling women from diverse backgrounds to build meaningful connections and grow their businesses in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Executives within trade bodies, associations, and confederations may find Co-Women’s model and sponsorship initiatives particularly relevant as examples of how organisations can serve underrepresented members within their sectors, fostering diversity while promoting business growth and community engagement.