Welcome to the first episode of Scaling for Success, a special five-part mini-series hosted by Maven Investment Manager Rebecca MacDermid to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025.

Supporting this year's theme, 'Accelerate Action', this special series interviews inspiring female leaders who are breaking down barriers in finance and investment. We'll discuss their journeys of scaling businesses and driving change, addressing the challenges women-led enterprises face in securing finance, talking about lessons learnt, and the strategies that have propelled them to success.

In episode one, Rebecca was joined by Dr Fozia Saleem, CEO of specialist Contract Research Organisation, Magnitude Biosciences. Fozia is a vastly experienced operator in the life sciences sector and has enjoyed a number of high-profile roles at GlaxoSmithKline, British American Tobacco, Nicoventures Holdings and Broughton Life Sciences. She also holds a PhD in Molecular Physiology.

Named in last year’s Northern Power Women’s Future List, Fozia now leads Magnitude Biosciences which is focused on accelerating the development of new drug therapies and other research advances to improve human and environmental health, and fittingly she is also Vice Chair of The Lifted Project Newcastle board, an early-stage investment connector which supports the access to finance for female founders.

Tune in to hear Fozia’s inspiring journey, her insights on scaling a business in the life sciences sector, and her advice for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

Before you go, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to our podcast and if you want to hear more from some of our inspirational investees at the helm of some of the UK’s fastest growing companies, head over to mavencp.com.