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Code of Conduct

Effective date: 6 December 2025
Last updated: 6 December 2025

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Cambridge Female Founders Network CIC (“CFFN”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe community for all participants. This Code of Conduct applies to everyone who engages with our network, including members, event attendees, speakers, partners, sponsors, volunteers, facilitators, and all participants in our online and in-person spaces.

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By participating in CFFN activities, you agree to uphold this Code.

1. Our Commitment

CFFN exists to support women founders and to create a collaborative, empowering environment across the Cambridge ecosystem and beyond. Our community is built on shared values of:

  • inclusivity

  • generosity

  • peer support

  • collaboration rather than competition

  • respect for diverse backgrounds

  • confidentiality and mutual trust

  • commitment to equitable participation

  • intersectional awareness

  • neurodiversity support and understanding

 

We expect all members of our community to uphold these values at all times.

2. Zero-Tolerance Behaviours

The following behaviours are strictly prohibited, whether online or in person:

  • harassment of any kind

  • discrimination on any protected basis

  • bullying or intimidation

  • sexist, racist, homophobic, or ableist language or conduct

  • sexual content, innuendo, or unwanted attention

  • trolling, flaming, or abusive digital conduct

  • spreading confidential internal information outside appropriate contexts

  • scraping or collecting personal data, including the Member Directory

  • recruiting, prospecting, or selling in groups without permission

  • unauthorised recording, screenshots, or sharing of events or discussions

  • any behaviour that undermines inclusion, equity, or psychological safety

 

CFFN events generally operate under Chatham House Rule unless explicitly stated otherwise.

3. Protected & Vulnerable Groups

CFFN is proudly inclusive of:

  • women and nonbinary members

  • LGBTQIA+ founders

  • founders of colour and ethnic minorities

  • neurodivergent founders

  • disabled founders

  • trans founders

  • immigrants

  • early stage and non-technical founders

 

We expect participants to demonstrate active respect towards every member, especially those from historically under-represented groups.

4. Professional Conduct

All participants agree to:

  • treat others with respect and professionalism

  • promote diversity, equity and inclusion

  • support collaborative behaviour

  • respect boundaries and lived experience

  • act in good faith

  • uphold confidentiality

  • follow reasonable instruction from CFFN staff or facilitators

 

This applies equally to sponsors, partners, supporters, mentors, and speakers.

5. Confidentiality

CFFN prioritises safe and confidential conversation. Participants must not disclose confidential information learned during events, peer conversations, or community interactions without express permission from the individual(s) concerned.

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Chatham House Rule applies unless clearly stated otherwise.

6. Reporting & Support

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code, please report it by contacting:
Xann Schwinn, CEO
Email: xann@cambridgefemalefounders.com

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We encourage you to report concerns early so that we may address them appropriately. Reports will be handled confidentially wherever possible.

7. Outcomes & Enforcement

CFFN takes all allegations seriously and responds proportionately.

 

Actions may include:

  • a verbal or written warning

  • temporary suspension from specific activities

  • removal from online spaces or WhatsApp groups

  • removal from events (virtual or in-person)

  • permanent exclusion from the community

  • termination of sponsorship or partnership participation

 

CFFN reserves the right to remove participants without warning where the behaviour poses risk or harm to others.

8. Applicability

This Code applies to:

  • all CFFN events (online & in-person)

  • WhatsApp groups

  • member portal and online platforms

  • LinkedIn engagement connected to CFFN activity

  • digital resources, mentoring activities and group sessions

  • partner events when hosted with CFFN

 

Sponsors, partners, speakers, volunteers, mentors and supporters are required to uphold this Code under the same standards as members.

9. Alignment with CFFN Values

Our community exists to help women founders start, build, and scale ventures in an environment grounded in respect, equality, collaboration, and generosity. By joining this community, you commit to helping us build an ecosystem where every participant has the opportunity to thrive.

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