Around half the talented graduates from the University of the West of England's Faculty of Business and Law are women.
But not enough are breaking through into the boardrooms of businesses.
That's why UWE Bristol is backing the inaugural Bristol and Bath Women in Business Awards as the main sponsor.
Professor Jane Harrington, pictured, executive dean of the faculty and pro-vice chancellor of the university, said: "If you look at students coming out of university, about 50 per cent of UWE students are women and yet when you get to senior level in business that becomes a much lower number.
"In the legal profession, 50 per cent of our students are women and they perform slightly better than our male students. They perform well initially in their careers but tail off. We need to promote those gifted young women and give them the confidence that they can achieve as they go through their careers.
"These awards provide role models of successful women and how they managed to achieve that success."
The Bristol and Bath Women in Business Awards have ten categories up for grabs including Woman of the Year, New Business of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year and Contribution to the Community.
The deadline for entries is February 21 and winners will be announced at a gala dinner in April. To enter the awards, visit www.bath chronicle.co.uk/wiba.