NICOLA Sturgeon has announced she will be helping to celebrate the important role played by women in Scottish business, when she attends the inaugural Business Women Scotland Awards, in association with Women’s Enterprise Scotland.

At the event, to be held on Thursday October 26, the First Minister will be joined by keynote speaker Jessica Butcher, co-founder and non-executive director of technology firm Blippar, who will make a call for more collaboration across enterprise agencies and the private sector to encourage more women to start their own businesses.

The Awards honour business women from throughout Scotland, whether as an employer, employee, sole trader or in the third sector.