Theo Paphitis Delivers Keynote Session at the EVAs Westminster Reception 2026: Driving Change at the House of Lords

The Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS) brought together female entrepreneurs, policymakers and business leaders at the House of Lords for a powerful afternoon of conversation, connection and change.

Hosted at Westminster and sponsored by Baroness Valentine, the reception welcomed influential voices from across business and politics to address the realities facing women in business today. Discussions covered key challenges such as gender pay gaps, access to investment, underrepresentation in supply chains and the pressures of scaling businesses whilst balancing wider responsibilities.

Theo Paphitis, entrepreneur and founder of the #SBS Small Business Sunday initiative, delivered a keynote focused on the importance of taking action and backing yourself. Encouraging founders not to wait for the “perfect” moment, his message was clear: success comes from stepping forward, embracing opportunity and learning along the way.

Theo’s ongoing partnership with EVAS reflects a shared commitment to championing entrepreneurship, improving access and supporting small business growth across the UK.

The event also featured contributions from leading female founders, including Harriet Hastings of Biscuiteers, alongside a panel discussion exploring the realities of scaling businesses. Conversations highlighted resilience, leadership and the importance of creating more opportunities for women-led enterprises.

A key moment of the reception was the introduction of SheChain Live, a new initiative designed to connect female founders with supply chain, procurement and commercial opportunities - further strengthening EVAS’ mission to drive tangible change.

Now in its 15th year, the Enterprise Vision Awards continues to evolve as a national platform supporting ambitious women in business, creating visibility and opening doors to new opportunities.

The conversations sparked at the House of Lords will continue later this year at the EVAS Awards Ceremony in Blackpool.