A Birmingham-based young entrepreneur has launched a new venture to boost the number of women running their own businesses in the region.

Sophie Highfield, founder of Café Blend, has founded Ladies That Latte, a women’s business network offering like-minded entrepreneurs the opportunity to share ideas, exchange business cards and make referrals.

It will also provide a forum for women considering starting their own business to seek advice, find mentors and potential business partners.

Ms Highfield said: “There’s just under five million small and medium-sized businesses in the UK with 400,000 in the West Midlands but comparatively few of these are owned by women. Some of the country’s most inspiring entrepreneurs are women and not enough are following in their footsteps.”

The first meeting takes place on June 20 from 7pm to 9pm at Café Blend on Navigation Street in Birmingham.

Meetings will take place on a bi-monthly basis and will be organised around a particular business issue or topic.