NewsEquality bill to tackle gender pay gap A new single Equality Duty is being proposed to replace the existing gender, race and disability duties. The new duty will require public bodies to report on gender pay with a view to benchmarking authorities and monitoring progress. The proposals were announced by Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality in the report 'Framework for a Fairer Future - The Equality Bill', a full paper is expected later in the year. The bill also proposes tackling the gender pay gap in the private sector via the purchasing power of the public sector. Details of how this could be achieved have yet to be released. A further measure includes extending positive action so that employers selecting between two equally qualified candidates can take into account under-representation by gender or ethnicity. Further details: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/ Government opening up business to SMEs The public sector spends around £160 billion a year on goods and services. The Glover Review announced in the Government's new Enterprise Strategy is looking into the feasibility of SMEs winning 30% of all public sector contracts. The review will consider issues such as improved tendering procedures, better information for SMEs and reducing the barriers SMEs may face when competing for public sector contracts. Small firms, public purchasers and industry groups are invited to share their experiences of doing business across both central government and local authorities using an online portal, which will be open until 8 August: http://www.ogc.gov.uk/SME_Consultation.asp 77% of ambassadors back women-only enterprise training A survey of over 70 women's enterprise ambassadors has revealed overwhelming support for the option of women-only enterprise training. Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to participate in a business support programme if it was women-only. The finding supports the results of a National Council of Graduate Enterprise (NCGE) survey which found 98% of women chose to participate in their Women's Flying Start Programme because it was women-only. The ambassador survey carried out by Prowess also demonstrates that the ambassadors are engaged champions with 68% currently mentoring another business woman. To request a summary of the findings contact: a.kent@prowess.org.uk Top awards for women who are changing the face of UK enterprise The winners of the 2008 national Prowess Awards have been named at a high-profile awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham. Amongst the winners is the managing director of a major offshore ICT cabling company, the CEO of a modern Chinese restaurant, a champion of flexible working, a lawyer who has never lost a client and a Radio 4 broadcast journalist. The Prowess Awards are unique in celebrating all those who contribute to the growth of women’s enterprise development including: the inspirational business women who support and motivate others, the business support advisers and mentors who provide exemplary advice and encouragement and the researchers and journalists who support the sector through compelling and progressive ideas. For a full list of winners and finalists see: http://www.prowess.org.uk/awards/aboutawards.asp Women entrepreneurs best placed to weather economic storm The attributes of female entrepreneurs mean they are more likely to survive tough economic times than men due to their 'pragmatic and open approach' according to Business Link London. A survey by the support agency reveals women are more likely to plan ahead and seek support - which could lead to stronger survival rates in a recession. Business Link London has compiled a list of 'key strengths' which give women the edge which include speaking out about difficulties and being less driven by financial incentives. For further information see: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.l1=5000834999&topicId=5001053339&site=181&r.s=tl FPB call for more support for women entrepreneurs The National Chairman of the Forum for Private Business (FPB), Len Collinson is calling for more enterprise support for women following new research on the North/South self-employment divide. The research shows that 23% of men and 11% of women are self-employed in the South compared with 17% of men and 8% of women in the north. Collinson is urging the government to take into account these regional differences as it continues to streamline business support. For copies of 'Is there a North-South Divide in Self-employment in England' contact: N.Markham@hull.ac.uk Share of women on UK boards stagnates Women represent just 11.5% of board members in UK companies, a figure which has hardly moved in two years, according to the Third Bi-annual European BoardWomen Monitor. The European average is now 9.7%, with European champions Norway jumping to 44.2% following quota legislation. The report concludes that, excluding Norway, progress across Europe is 'glacially slow' and that the 'executive pipeline is almost empty'. Quotas are an effective way to accelerate growth of female representation on boards according to the report authors. Further details: http://www.europeanpwn.net/ Supply2gov - 3 month free trial Register before 31 July 2008 to receive a free 3 month trial of Supply2.gov.uk - the first port of call to access lower-value opportunities from across the whole of the UK public sector. The site exists to enable businesses, particularly small ones, to access central and local government contracts, typically worth under £100,000. Visit: http://www.supply2.gov.uk/uk_free_trial_info.shtml Queens honour for Prowess Director of Policy Jackie Brierton, Prowess Director of Policy has been awarded an MBE for services to women's enterprise in the Queens Birthday Honours List. Jackie has vast experience in women's enterprise development, as an enterprise support provider, advisor to Government and as a business owner herself. Many congratulations on her thoroughly deserved recognition. Also to be congratulated is Deb Leary CEO of Forensic Pathways who was awarded an OBE. Deb is a fantastic advocate and supporter of women in enterprise. Conservatives label business support too complex and poorly valued Mark Prisk, the Shadow Minister for Small Business has launched an online survey to canvas the views of SMEs on a range of issues inclduing; enteprise support, access to finance, grants and government contracts. The Conservative Party believe the current system of business support schemes is overly complicated. To participate in the survey visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WnGmjf_2bOGdBwAdF1KRos7g_3d_3d |
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Prowess Member's News80% of women feel more in control of careers following mentoring The South East Women's Mentoring Programme, designed by Business Link and financed by the South East England Development Agency saw more than 70 volunteer mentors help over 100 women in senior management roles across the South East. Eighty per cent of women who took part said they felt in better control of their careers following the mentoring programme. Forty per cent felt it enabled them to achieve better work life balance. www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast Business Link North East targetting women Business Link North East have a call for women to get involved in one of the 500 business start-up workshops they are organising across the North East in the coming year. Many of the sessions are specifically designed for women, including those returning to work after a career break or looking for a career change as well as those not currently in work. For more information contact 0845 600 9 006. Women entrepreneurs advised on strategic networking The key to transforming contacts into resources is strategic networking and viewing 'social capital' as a catalyst to accelerate the growth of a business rather than as a 'wonder drug' according to a new study from the Centre for Women's Enterprise at the University of Bedfordshire. Download 'Transforming Contacts into Resources - Women Entrepreneurs in the East of England: Building, Maintaining and Utilising Social Capital' at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/cwe/research Emda launch new enterprise loans for under-represented groups EnterpriseLoans East Midlands aims to help 1,000 businesses over the next ten years by offering loans of between £3,000 and £20,000. The loan fund is specifically designed for those who have been unable to access finance from traditional sources. For more information visit: http://www.enterpriseloanseastmidlands.co.uk/index.htm £10m loan fund to accelerate growth of women-owned businesses Enterprising Women, the East of England business community for women entrepreneurs has announced a £10m loan fund for its members in partnership with Lloyds TSB Commercial. The new package will also include business training through an investment readiness programme and further support through a new mentoring initiative. Steve Elsom of Lloyds TSB says "Our Relationship Managers are also going to receive training from Enterprising Women to really enhance their understanding of women-owned business". http://www.enterprising-women.org/show.php?page=3998 Customer First under new ownership The awarding body Customer First is now under the ownership of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) and QED Professional Development Ltd, in a joint partnership. The Customer First Standard is the organisational quality support standard for the business support industry. NFEA CEO George Derbyshire commented "NFEA is committed to the robust quality assurance of its members and we welcome the Customer First Standard as the only quality standard specifically designed for our industry. We are delighted to have helped secure its future". http://www.customerfirst.org/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=117 Building on the success - Women's Enterprise Day 2008 The national Women's Enterprise Day will take place on Wednesday 19 November. This year Make Your Mark are encouraging women to aim high and think big when unleashing their enterprising ideas. The day is supported by Gita Patel FCA, entrepreneur and Margaret Heffernan, entrepreneur (Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire), along with many other successful women. For more information see: www.enterpriseweek.org.uk/womensenterprise or email sarahsummers@makeyourmark.org.uk for your free Enterprise Week guide. |
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Social Enterprise NewsFree access to finance training for social enterprise The British Library together with GK Partners are running a free access to finance event for social enterprises and socially responsible businesses. Attendees will gain knowledge about financial planning, allowing them to judge whether they need external finance or whether they can meet their financial needs through internal re-structuring. Subject to confirmation, all attendees will have access to five days free business support to help in raising finance. The event will take place on 24 July at the British Library, Euston Rd, London. For details of registration contact dmorris@gkpartners.co.uk or call 020 7785 6344. Launch of Capacitybuilders £6M Social Enterprise Programme Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector has announced the launch of a Capacitybuilders Social Enterprise Programme, with £6M being invested over the next three years. The fund will be used to improve business support services for social enterprises. The money will fund improvements like new mentoring schemes and more accredited advisers. http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/Resources/t/9/1/Social%20Enterprise%20flyer_FINAL.pdf Facilitating Social Intelligence: A Woman Thing? Are women leading the way in facilitating social intelligence? Is it a gender neutral issue (and does it matter?). These questions will be discussed at an interactive workshop organised by Ogunte, the organisation for women leading the social economy. The event will take place in central London on 16 July and costs £25. For more details visit: http://socialintelligence.eventbrite.com/ To join the women in social leadership facebook group visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8671788519 Leading female social enterprise ambassador receives MBE Community champion and ambassador, Claudine Reid, has been honoured in the Queen's Birthday honours list and will receive an MBE for her services to social enterprise. Claudine is the Director PJ' Community Services, a social enterprise based in Croydon that seeks to support the local community through care, education and social development programmes. Claudine spoke at the Prowess Annual conference this year at a highly rated workshop on social enterprise development. http://www.pjsgroup.co.uk/ |
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EventsProwess Flagship consultant training opportunity Prowess is looking for suitably experienced individuals to train as Flagship Consultants to help meet the growing demand for the Flagship Quality Standard. If you are an experienced women's enterprise practitioner, passionate about improving women's enterprise support across the UK, have experience of quality assessment and can assimilate large quantities of complex information then we want to hear from you. Prowess will be running a Flagship Consultant Training Programme, with a one-day workshop in Birmingham on Wednesday 6 August. To apply to attend the workshop please download the guidance for applicants and the Flagship Consultant Role Specification . You will be asked to send your CV by 12 noon on Wednesday 16th July (in accordance with the guidelines). If you want to discuss this opportunity, please contact Marla Nelson, Flagship Manager by e-mail m.nelson@prowess.org.uk or by telephone on 0121 2247830 or 07515597595. The rest of this section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm For details of events aimed at women entrepreneurs taking place in your area click on the map below, members remember you can add your events to the Prowess online clickable map quickly and easily at no cost:
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AwardsThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm |
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New ResearchThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm
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Vacancies WEConnect, Executive Director, Flexibility on location, Salary: Competitive salary and benefits With an impressive number of corporate members and an increasing interest in the certification standard by women entrepreneurs, this is a superb opportunity for a talented Executive Director to shape the organisation and lead its vision and strategy. Highly motivated, you will bring entrepreneurial flair and commercial drive to establish WEConnect as the key membership organisation for companies active in supply chain development. Your senior strategic management experience and expertise in business development will ensure we make a significant impact on the growth of women’s enterprise in the UK. For more information please visit: http://www.veredus.co.uk/job/Executive_Director-11497/ For an informal discussion please call Penny Wood on 020 7932 4260 or Philippa Fabry on 0870 190 4317. Closing date 9 July |
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MembersNew members of Prowess include: WAITS (Women Acting in Today's Society) www.waitsaction.org X-Met Ltd Jane Palmer, MD of Industrial Brushware Ltd www.industrialbrushware.co.uk Join Prowess and become part of the UK alliance helping women to start and grow businesses: Click here for details of Prowess membership |
Prowess – The UK association of organisations and individuals who support women to start and grow businesses.Please send comments and news or information sources to a.kent@prowess.org.uk by the 28th of the month. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to be kept informed about Prowess please e-mail your contact details to a.kent@prowess.org.uk . Let us know too if you want to be taken off the mailing list at any time. This newsletter is produced for information only. While we believe the content is accurate we can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Prowess is happy for recipients to forward and redistribute items in this Ezine, however we ask that Prowess is credited as the source and that where appropriate there is a link to our website. © Prowess Ltd 2008. Lion House, 20-28 Muspole Street, Norwich NR3 1DJ Tel 01603 762355 Fax 01603 227090 www.prowess.org.uk - the UK-wide gateway to local women friendly business support |
