Frances Scott, founder and director of 50:50 Parliament, is a passionate advocate for gender equality of representation.
She launched 50:50 in November 2013 with the 50:50 Parliament petition. In 2016, 50:50 initiated “Ask Her To Stand” to inspire, encourage and support women along the way to Westminster. This has had a major impact with women signing up to stand on a daily basis. 50:50 are now taking action to help women get selected and elected.
Frances has a background in operations analysis, marketing and economic feasibility studies. She had an international career in the Hotel and Tourism industry. She has also been an antenatal teacher and has helped thousands of new parents prepare for birth and babycare. She sat on the Maternity Services Liaison Committee at St Mary’s Hospital Paddington giving input into provision of services for several years. She was named as one of the Evening Standard’s #Progress1000 most influential political changemakers in 2018. In October 2019 she was invited to present at TedX Brighton on what had been her “Turning Point” and why she started 50:50. In March 2020 and March 2021 Frances was included in the list of “Women in Westminster: The 100” which was a way to celebrate the achievements of those women who are changing the conversation, challenging the approach to policy making and providing a female perspective to the important political issues of the day.
For her work encouraging, inspiring’ lobbying for inclusiveness and supporting political engagement, particularly from women. Frances also recently won the coveted National Diversity Award for Positive Role Model Award for Gender.