Penny Streeter, managing director of healthcare recruitment agency Ambition24Hours, has been named Britain’s top female entrepreneur by business magazine Management Today.

Streeter ranked 13th in a list of Britain’s top 100 entrepreneurs. Three other female recruiters also appeared on the list: Janet Crawford, founder of Angel Human Resources; Lorna Moran, founder of Northern Recruitment Group; and Philippa Rose, founder of the Rose Partnership.

Entrepreneurs in the list are ranked by wealth, percentage rise in turnover and the number of employees.

Ambition24Hours employs 150 people and last year had a turnover of £60m.

“When I set out in business I saw both problems and opportunities but these never related to whether I was a woman,” said Streeter.

“Nevertheless I hope that my success acts as an inspiration to others and I look forward to a woman topping the overall league table - that is certainly what I am aiming for.”