‘I don’t believe there is a glass ceiling. I have never felt it’

Businesswoman, television presenter and writer who founded her retail consultancy, Yellowdoor, in 1997. She now employs 45 people with an annual turnover of £5 million. Two children aged 12 and 14.

I can honestly say I don't believe there is a glass ceiling any more. I have never felt it and it's tragic if that puts women off work.

As a businesswoman and a mother I just had to become very clever about balancing everyone, and I've made sure that I could afford the infrastructure at home to cope with it.

I also think that in this multi-media age we should make more use of communication to allow greater flexibility. If, for example, someone from my office wants to drop the kids off at school at 9am that's fine. Maybe I don't need them in the office at 9am but I do need them on the end of the phone.

Women are brilliant communicators and we should learn to use that more efficiently because this question of balance is never going to change."

Jane Winkworth, 61

Founded French Sole in 1989. The company now employs 62 people and has an annual turnover of £6 million. Three grown-up children.

The glass ceiling will exist while women quite rightly put their family before their careers. It never held me up because when I started French Sole my children were in their last years at school.

I believe the new government ruling, which gives such long paid maternity leave to women, leaves bosses and company managers resentful when those women finally return to work. And they fear that well-paid, intelligent and qualified women will leave again and again on maternity breaks.
Maybe when we see a truly level playing field, with men taking equal leave, the glass ceiling will truly shatter. And pigs might fly!

Lise Madsen, 40

Set up Kensal Green Honeyrose Bakery in 2001. It employs 40 people and has a turnover of £3 million. Two children.

I don't think that being a woman has hindered me in any way. I've always said that if you think of yourself as being equal then others will assume you are. It's about being the boss, not what sex you are.

I do find it hard sometimes. I don't like neglecting either my children or my business and hate that feeling of constant guilt that one of them is missing out. But finding a balance is a fact of life.

Justine Roberts, 40

Co-founded mothers' website mumsnet.com in 2000. The site now employs 25 people and has over 500,000 members. Four young children.

Running your own company is easier for working mothers. You are your own boss and can escape the rigid, corporate structure of the office and those 8am-7pm days. You're not working less hard but you are able to work without the guilt factor because the hours are flexible. I think many working mothers in offices face guilt from all sides: from the office for occasionally needing not to be there, and then home guilt when you miss the odd piano recital.

Emmy Scarterfield, 33

Owner of Emmy, a wedding shoe company based in Islington that she set up in 2004. It now employs 16 people and has an annual turnover of £1 million. Mother of twin babies.

I can understand how women are often reticent about aiming for the top. You need guts. Luckily, I'm not a worrier and just went for it. I am a mum by day and businesswoman by night, I can't ever put my business on hold completely in a sense, it's like my first baby.

Alison Owen, 47

Film producer with career highlights including Elizabeth and Shaun of gthe Dead. Three grown-up children including Lily and Alfie Allen.

My industry is conducive to flexible working patterns and career breaks, both things that are essential for women to progress. It doesn't matter in the film industry if you make a movie, take time off to have a baby, and come back. It is rare to encounter overt sexism in the film industry but covert sexism still abounds.