NEWS Women-led businesses smashing growth stereotypes Investment in women’s enterprise promises greater economic return RDAs give Chancellor enterprise wish list Women’s enterprise in full sail with two new flagships More support for London’s ethnic minority business women SBS announce dates for women’s enterprise toolkit training Rural women entrepreneurs boosting economy says Smith Non- Members Edition 31 – March 2005 Government celebrates International Women’s Day Last few places available for women’s enterprise study tour to Sweden Women’s Enterprise study trip to USA – expressions of interest
EVENTS Incredit Lecture Achieving Breakthrough Performance – Community Action Network (CAN) Think Equal! Toward Equal Opportunities in the Information Society Enterprise Inclusion & Equality - The role of Local Authorities National Rural Women’s Conference British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference, Business Convention and Exhibition 2005 TIAW 2005 International Meeting – “Women Changing the Business and Civic Landscape”	FUNDING Objective 2 Structural Funds Programme for Yorkshire and the Humber (2000 – 2006) Community Foundation for Merseyside Adventure Capital Fund – Round 2 The Edinburgh Fund
RESEARCH Women Business Owners and their Enterprises Black and Ethnic Minority Women in the UK Scholarships available for voluntary sector women leaders Jobs for the boys and the girls: promoting a smart, successful and equal Scotland Street UK: A Micro-finance organisation	AWARDS London African Caribbean Entrepreneur Awards First Women Awards Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2005. British Diversity Awards 2005
VACANCIES Associate Director – North – Prowess Head of Centre for Female Entrepreneurship Researcher – Centre for Female Entrepreneurship	MEMBERS New Members
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NEWS Women-led businesses smashing growth stereotypes Companies run by women are leading the way in terms of sales and employment growth, according to new research. A survey of 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses found that a higher percentage of firms with female bosses were increasing their sales and taking on staff than those run by men. The report, by the Small Business Research Trust in partnership with the Forum of Private Business (FPB), showed that 44% of companies led by women recorded sales growth in the third quarter of 2004, 7% more than the average figure. Almost 3 out of 10 women-led firms recruited new staff in the same quarter – a substantially higher proportion than the average. This is contrary to the widely held assumption that female-owned firms show less growth potential. Commenting on the findings, Nick Goulding Chief Executive of FPB said “The report is strong evidence that the Government is right to adopt measures to encourage female entrepreneurs to set up in business. A glittering prize is within grasp for the UK if we can harness the entrepreneurial potential of women”. For further information contact Kieron Hayes on 01565 634709 or email: kieron.hayes@fpb.org Back to the top Investment in women’s enterprise promises greater economic return According to the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service Martin Wyn Griffith, “A pound invested in developing women’s enterprise provides a greater return on investment than a pound invested in developing male owned enterprise”. Speaking at the National Dialogue for Entrepreneurship, Washington DC, Griffith was referring to recent evidence which shows that women are more likely to move from unemployment to self-employment and so make a more immediate contribution to UK GDP. The speech focussed on building an enterprise culture within the UK and Griffith stressed that closing the enterprise gender gap was critical to achieving this. Emphasising the economic case for female entrepreneurship he said “since women are under-represented in the economically active population, it makes sense to reduce barriers to entry, increase incentives and provide tailored business support”. The US has seen a massive growth in women’s business ownership and Griffiths stressed the need for the UK to learn from this and look at “the best ways to challenge and remove entrenched negative attitudes towards women’s enterprise”. A transcript of the speech can be downloaded at: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/ Back to the top RDAs give Chancellor Enterprise wish list Gordon Brown met recently with the Chief Executives of the nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to hear their enterprise policy advice ahead of the forthcoming Budget. From April 2005, responsibility for the regional management of the Business Link network will pass from the Small Business Service to the RDAs. According to a treasury spokesperson, women’s enterprise was discussed during the meeting and several RDA chairs expressed support for greater emphasis on this issue. Other priority areas discussed included more government spending to encourage black and minority ethnic entrepreneurs and a greater emphasis on enterprise within universities, including their increased collaboration with businesses. Budget day: 16 March. Back to the top Women’s enterprise in full sail with two new flagships Isabella Moore, Chair of the Government’s Women’s Enterprise Panel, stepped aboard The Cutty Sark to launch the new Prowess report ‘The Flagship Award for Best Practice in Women’s Enterprise Development’. She was joined by several women entrepreneurs as well as representatives from the latest Flagship Award winners, Chwarae Teg from Wales and Her Business from East London. Both organisations were assessed against rigorous standards of excellence designed to measure quality, client focus, inclusion and equality. In gaining Flagship status, they have been recognised as achieving the highest possible level of support in each of these areas. “The Flagship Award is helping to drive up standards in business support across the UK. Every woman who wants to start a business should have access to appropriate and effective local business support. This will be on benefit to the woman herself, the local economy and overall national economic growth” said Ms. Moore presenting the awards. To request a copy of the Flagship report email: a.kent@prowess.org.uk Back to the top More support for London’s ethnic minority business women The London Development Agency (LDA) has announced two new projects to support ethnic minority women looking to start and develop businesses in the capital. The ‘London Inspires Women Innovators Connection’ (LIWIC) Project will target inventive and innovative Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women business owners in the capital. LIWIC will launch a new Virtual Women’s Innovation Centre where BME women in London can take advantage of flexible learning possibilities, bench mark their skills, re-train and gain access to key information, support mechanisms and emerging developments. Contact: office@liwic.com. A second scheme aims to develop the BME hair and beauty sector in London, which is dominated by female entrepreneurs. The project will encourage salon owners to use technology to market their businesses and improve customer service. For further details contact: Anne Long-Murray on 020 7377 9922 or email at: anne@salonstrategies.net. Commentating on the two new programmes, Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the LDA said “This is great news for London’s ethnic minority business women which will help unlock their untapped talent.” Back to the top SBS announce dates for women’s enterprise toolkit training The Case for Women’s Enterprise is a toolkit aimed at those responsible for providing business support for women entrepreneurs. Workshops will be taking place across the country and the Dti’s Small Business Service (SBS) have now announced the dates. The Case is particularly aimed at mainstream providers with limited experience of providing targeted services, who may not have previously considered segmenting their client needs using a gender perspective. The Case contains 8 elements covering the key entrepreneurial milestones from pre-pre start up through to business growth. The elements provide practical guidance for improving the quality of business support provision. Six workshops will be taking place throughout March. for further information about venues and dates and to book your place on a workshop go to http://www.esteem.ltd.uk/TheCaseforWomensEnterpriseProgramme.html or contact mary.Mckenna@sbs.gsi.gov.uk Back to the top Rural women entrepreneurs boosting economy says Smith In her speech to the 6^th Annual Women in Rural Enterprise Conference in Shropshire, Jacqui Smith, Deputy Minister for Women And Equality said “Self employment is an increasingly important way for women to participate in the rural economy. The rural female entrepreneurs at today’s conference are the role models for the entrepreneurs of the future. They are making their mark helping generate between £50 – £70 billion a year for the UK economy”. Women amount to 5.1% of total entrepreneurial activity in rural areas, compared to 3.8% in sub-urban and 3.4% in urban, according to figures from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2004. Back to the top Government celebrates International Women’s Day A number of high profile events took place throughout the UK to promote women’s enterprise on International Women’s Day. On 8 March the Small Business Service (SBS) hosted a major networking event to mark the culmination of Jacqui Smith MP’s women’s enterprise regional tour. In Liverpool, Train 2000 marked the day with the launch of the brand new ‘Association of Women on Merseyside’ at a celebratory event involving 1000 female business owners and support providers: info@train2000.org.uk In the House of Lords, the Rt Hon Baroness Amos, Leader of the House held a reception to launch the 2005 edition of The SEED Handbook: The feminine way to create business by Lynne Franks. http://www.seednetwork.com/seed_events.phtml. At The Savoy Hotel, Aurora is held a major conference of 400 business women, who heard Helen Alexander CBE, Chief Executive of The Economist Group outline her views on women's economic advancement. http://www.network.auroravoice.com/2005iwd_flyer.pdf. For a full listing of events which took place on International Women’s Day see: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ Back to the top Last few places available for women’s enterprise study tour to Sweden The Prowess women’s enterprise study tour to Sweden promises to be a comprehensive and enjoyable experience. A detailed itinerary is now available. Delegates will meet with leading researchers, national and regional policy makers and women entrepreneurs themselves. The visit will provide an excellent opportunity for those attending to share knowledge, experience, contacts and ideas with the Swedish hosts. The study trip will take place between 12 – 15 April. There are just 12 places available and several are already booked, for further details and to reserve a place contact: Ann Nicholls on 01603 762355 or email at: a.nicholls@prowess.org.uk. There may be funding available to help with the cost of this visit through Phoenix Bursaries, which are targeted at organisations providing enterprise support in disadvantaged areas and/or to under-represented groups. For details contact: 0870 458 4161 or email: phoenix@mci-group.com or visit: www.sbs.gov.uk/phoenix/bursaries Back to the top Women’s Enterprise study trip to USA – expressions of interest Prowess is coordinating a study trip to Washington in June 2005. A comprehensive programme of activity will include visits to women’s enterprise programmes and meetings with key advocates, activists and policy makers. This will be a valuable opportunity to learn about the growth in female-owned businesses in the US. To register your interest contact: Ann Nicholls on 01603 762355 or email a.nicholls@prowess.org.uk Back to the top
EVENTS Incredit Lecture Stevenage, 16 March, free to attend, booking essential Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business at Kingston Business School will deliver a lively and challenging lecture on: Vital Voices: Turning the Gender Agenda Inside Out. Starts at 11.30, followed by light lunch. For more information contact Sue Lawton at sue.lawton@incredit.org.uk Back to the top Achieving Breakthrough Performance – Community Action Network (CAN) 17 March, London (Full rate: £280 + VAT, Voluntary Sector: £160 +VAT CAN Member £110 + VAT) The Community Action Network’s (CAN) annual conference focuses on tackling social deprivation, topics include: A politician’s view of the social sector and the relevance of social enterprise, how the social sector can beat big business and deliver public services and sustainable success – what it takes and how to do it. Speakers include Hazel Blears MP, Minister of State, Home Office and Eugenie Harvey, author of Change the World for a Fiver. More information: www.can-online.org.uk/services/events Back to the top Think Equal! Toward Equal Opportunities in the Information Society Frankfurt, 3 – 5 April, € 195 The focal points of the conference are: equal opportunities strategies in business, science and politics; the link between gender and technology; career choice behaviour of young people and segregating in the labour market. There will be discussion forums on ‘Women in Leadership’, ‘Diversity and Gender Marketing’, ‘Women in Cyberspace’ and ‘Wanted: Women in IT Business’. A keynote presentation will focus on ‘Developing Innovatively – Shaping Creatively – Using Productively! Women Players in the Information Society 2005’. EQUAL is moving into its second phase and this could be a valuable opportunity to make new contacts for trans-national partnerships. Deadline for registration is 18^th March 2005. Further details: www.equal-it-y.com/think-equal Back to the top Enterprise Inclusion & Equality - The role of Local Authorities 7 April, London, Free Event This one day event is an opportunity to consider the role of enterprise in overcoming social exclusion and promoting equality. The aim of the conference is to provide an opportunity for Local Authorities and those concerned with enterprise development as a wealth creation strategy, to consider the Equality issues involved in providing support for enterprise development, and find new solutions to meet these challenges. To book a place at this event please email gillr@prevista.org.uk  or telephone 020 7635 0520. Back to the top National Rural Women’s Conference Cumbria, 20 – 22 April, Price structure varies see website Through keynote presenters, case study seminar sessions, workshops and study visits the conference aims to explore and develop strategies which will increase the role of women in decision making and planning in the rural economy. Speakers include: Rt. Hon Jenny Shipley, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Pam Wurhurst, Deputy Chair, The Countryside Agency and Debra Veal MBE, Inspirational Speaker. Further details: http://www.nrwc.org.uk/ Back to the top British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference, Business Convention and Exhibition 2005 25 – 26 April, London, Full two – day rate, £395 + VAT Involves speakers from across business, national, regional and local government, the media, and the public sector. Delegates will have the opportunity to put questions to these key decision makers, and participate in interactive discussions about the key issues affecting business today. Speakers include, Michael Howard MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, Dennis McShane MP, Minister of State (Europe) and Brian Briscoe, Chief Executive of Local Government Association. A large exhibition will feature a range of organisations that provide business support. http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/sy150/index.html Back to the top TIAW 2005 International Meeting – “Women Changing the Business and Civic Landscape” Sophia - Bulgaria, 15 – 18 May, Price structure varies see website The International Alliance for Womens (TIAW) 2005 conference will focus on: EU Accession Management, Women Entrepreneurship and Good Governance.   Speakers will include men and women from the World Bank, Government and high-profile executive women in Europe. Further details: www.tiaw.org/events/events.asp Back to the top
AWARDS London African Caribbean Entrepreneur Awards Now in its second year, the LACE Awards celebrate the excellence of African Caribbean business in London. The closing date for nominations has now passed but tickets are still available for the awards ceremony and dinner, which promises to be an excellent networking opportunity. The awards will be presented by the Rev Jesse Jackson at the London Hilton on 10 March. For further details contact: Yemisi on 020 7978 9488. Back to the top First Women Awards New awards scheme launched by Real Business and the CBI open to all women in business in the UK. The First Women Awards recognise women who are ‘pioneers and genuine glass ceiling breakers’. There are eight award categories: Manufacturing, Finance, Technology, Retail & Property, Business Services, Media, Science and Tourism and Leisure. Closing date for nominations is 31 March, the Awards ceremony will take place at the London Hilton on 8 June. Further details and nomination forms can be downloaded at: http://www.firstwomenawards.co.uk/ Back to the top Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2005. Rewarding and celebrating the achievements of young people in business. Now in their 23rd year, the Awards are recognised as the key, independent competition in the UK for young entrepreneurs. Entry forms must be submitted by 31 March. For more information see: http://www.shell-livewire.org/win10k/ Back to the top British Diversity Awards 2005 Now in their 11^th year, The British Diversity Awards reward initiatives which assist the recruitment, employment, training and promotion of under-represented groups in the workplace, including: visible minorities, women, disabled people and people of certain ages denied career opportunities. Categories include , Diversity Education Champion and Diversity Financial Services Champion. All categories focus on excellence in management and practice. Deadline for nominations is 9 May, the ceremony will take place on 24 June. For further details and nomination form visit: http://www.diversityleaders.org.uk/Zones/Zone_details.asp?NewsID=117 Back to the top
RESEARCH This section is restricted to Prowess Members. More details: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/join.html Back to the top