In the 12 months to January, almost 12% of women in the region left high-flying management positions, compared with a national average of 5.7%.

But the figures, from the Chartered Management Institute, could be because more and more women are deciding to quit their jobs to go it alone, according to the Norwich Businesswomen's Network.

Spokeswoman Jeannette Wheeler told the Eastern Daily Press:

"Certainly in our network there is a large number of women who are now owner-managers of their own businesses.

"I would say around 70% of our members have set up and now run their own business."