First-Ever Entrepreneurship Adviser Appoints By UK Government

Tech entrepreneur Alex Depledge, known for co-founding and selling the home services startup Hassle for £27 million, has been appointed to the role.

In her new position, Depledge will work two days a week advising Chancellor Rachel Reeves on improving the startup environment in the UK. She will focus on removing barriers that hold back early-stage companies.

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Depledge has previously been part of a government task force supporting women entrepreneurs and often speaks about the hurdles women face in business, including the lack of shared parental leave.

A recipient of an MBE, Depledge brings experience from building and scaling multiple startups. Her role will include helping shape policies aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and boosting support for female-founded ventures.

Reeves said: "Startups, scaleups and other small businesses drive the innovation that keeps Britain growing, delivering our Plan for Change.

"We have a long list of successful startups, scaleups and small businesses across the UK - with the greatest density of scaleups among the seven major industrial countries in the G7.

"Having Alex on the team will bring invaluable expertise with her experience building successful businesses from the ground up, and I look forward to working with her."

Depledge said: "I’m honoured to be appointed as the chancellor’s first-ever entrepreneurship adviser, a ground-breaking move that puts high-growth businesses at the heart of economic thinking.

"It’s the first time an entrepreneur has held this role, and it signals a bold commitment from government to back the scale-ups and innovators powering the UK forward."