NewsSBS must be held to account says National Audit Office Ineffectual monitoring and a lack of programme evaluation damages the credibility of the Small Business Service (SBS) according to a new report by the National Audit Office. The Government spends £2.6 billion in supporting new businesses but the SBS has not carried out any evaluation of its overall impact, making it hard to justify its importance. The National Audit Office calls on the SBS to ensure that evaluations of its individual schemes link back to the Government's overall objectives for enterprise. The report also questions whether the SBS has the appropriate authority to influence other Government departments. On the positive side, the report does find that under SBS's tenure the Business Link network has, with constant levels of funding, improved the quality and volume of the services it provides. Download 'Supporting Small Business' at: http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/0506962.pdf Blair calls for 'ambitious action plan' for Women and Work Commission The Prime Minister has written a public letter to Ruth Kelly, the newly appointed Minister for Women calling on her to produce an 'ambitious action plan' to tackle the gender inequality challenges highlighted by the Women and Work Commission's recent report. In a separate letter to Alistair Darling, the new Minister for Trade and Industry, Tony Blair stresses that 'female participation in the labour market is one of the major drivers of economic performance'. Kelly will establish an implementation team to act on the Commissions recommendations; which include increasing support for women returners and promoting entrepreneurship as a flexible career option for women. Read the Public letters at: http://www.number10.gov.uk/files/pdf/PM%20Minute%20to%20Ruth%20Kelly1.pdf. http://www.number10.gov.uk/files/pdf/PM%20Personal%20Minute%20Trade%20and%20Industry.pdf Download 'Shaping a Fairer Future - Women and Work Commission' at: http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/publications/wwc_shaping_fairer_future06.pdf Pioneering women's enterprise unit for West Midlands A regional Women's Enterprise Unit (RWEU) modelled on successful initiatives from the US will open its doors in the West Midlands later this month. The unit is being led by two Prowess flagship organisations; the Women's Business Development Agency (WBDA) and Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE). They will work closely with the new West Midlands Business Link service to provide training, mentoring and advice to women thinking about starting a business. The programme, part funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), marks a significant step forward in bringing women's enterprise support into mainstream business support activity. The West Midlands currently has the lowest rates of female entrepreneurship in the UK and it is hoped the new unit will provide a one-stop shop for women seeking business advice and help the region realise the potential of female entrepreneurship. http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/news/pioneering-women-s-enterprise-unit-ready-for-action.html Lack of funding deterring female entrepreneurs Over a third of women said they felt it was harder for female entrepreneurs to gain funding to start a business than their male counterparts, according to a survey conducted by the FDA (the UK association for the Invoice finance industry). The survey also found that 47% of female business owners said a lack of funding prevented them from starting their business sooner. The findings are supported by research from Red magazine, who surveyed 1000 women, 63% of who said they would not start a business because of a lack of financial support. Kate Sharp, Chief Executive of FDA said "Financial service providers need to work harder to make women aware of the range of products available for initial start-up and ongoing growth". http://www.creditman.biz/uk/members/news-view.asp?newsviewID=6040 A nation of 'accidental entrepreneurs' A new campaign entitled 'Be Your Own Boss', launched by Panasonic has labelled the UK a nation of 'accidental entrepreneurs' after a survey showed that 47% of men and 60% of women start an enterprise without any kind of business plan. Over 1000 business owners took part in the survey, which is also found that Richard Branson is still the most inspiring entrepreneur for both men and women. One in five women stated that their mothers inspired them to start a business, making it the second most popular choice. Twice as many female business owners as males said Jamie Oliver was their role model. For more details see: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/info/byob/byob.html £40 million enterprise capital funds announced Small Business Minister Margaret Hodge has announced two new enterprise capital funds to boost innovation, growth and jobs for small businesses trapped in the equity gap. The £30m Seraphim capital fund will be run by a group of business angels and will concentrate on businesses at the early stages of development. The £10m Amadeus fund is aimed at early stage technology companies. Each fund will be able to make equity investments of up to £2 million. The Small Business Service is confident that the first of the funds could be investing in a just a few months. For further information: visit : http://www.sbs.gov.uk/sbsgov/action/home?&domain=www.sbs.gov.uk Agreement on new € 3.6 billion 'Competitiveness and innovation programme' The European Parliament has agreed the first 'Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme' (CIP), the most significant strand of which is the 'Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme'. Between 2007 - 2013, €3.6 billion will be invested in SMEs for all forms of innovation and growth. Activity will include financing start-ups, promoting venture capital, investing in enterprises with growth potential and launching new support networks. The fund will open for applications in 2007. For further details visit: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/cip/index_en.htm |
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Prowess member's newsEnterprise Insight appoint Women's Enterprise Campaigner Enterprise Insight who lead the 'Make your mark - start talking ideas' campaign to promote young entrepreneurship have appointed a Women's Enterprise Campaigner. Alex Ritchie, who previously worked at the Prowess Flagship Organisation Business Link Cambridgeshire will lead on promoting entrepreneurship amongst women and girls and will co-ordinate Women's Enterprise Day on 15 November 2006. To find out more about the Campaign or Women’s Enterprise Day contact Alex at: alex@enterpriseinsight.co.uk New women’s information portal for Oxfordshire Mission Possible have launched a new website aimed at women running a business or thinking about starting a business in Oxfordshire. The site works as an information portal, signposting women to a wide variety of business and lifestyle support offered in the county. Both users and providers of business support are encouraged to contribute directly to the site. www.missionpossible.co.uk Women Into the Network scoop national award North East based networking initiative , Women Into the Network were presented with the Corporate Award at the CBI First Women Awards. The award recognises the organisation that is deemed to have made an extraordinary contribution to the role of women in the workforce. http://www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk/page/press/index.cfm NWES win business advice and training contract Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES) has won a contract to deliver business advice and training under the Self-employment option of the new deal. The contract, worth £2.8m covers the Eastern East Midlands and Yorkshire/Humber regions. Delivery starts at the beginning of July and NWES will work with partners to deliver local services alongside jobcentre plus. http://www.nwes.org.uk/ Emda launch 3rd edition of business support directory The third business support directory, aimed at East Midlands women who are starting and growing a business, has been published by East Midlands Development Agency. It also includes a wide range of case studies and top-tips. To request a copy contact your local Business Link provider at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ or call 0845 600 9 006. WBDA’s BrightSpark project for Girls The Women’s Business Development Agency (WBDA) is piloting a package of innovative enterprise education programmes at two schools in the West Midlands. The BrightSpark project is about igniting an interest and excitement about SET based enterprise amongst young girls, in order to increase the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology in the future. For further information contact Marla Nelson at: marla@wbda.co.uk BusinessLiverpool set for regional expansion BusinessLiverpool, a joint venture between the city council, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Train 2000 is being spread across Merseyside following the success of its year-long pilot programme. The project has so far supported the establishment of 50 new female-owned businesses. http://www.train2000.org.uk/ Women's Wisdom present their first Empower bursary Flagship organisation Women's Wisdom have presented their first bursary cheque as part of their Empower programme which will run until December 2007. For more information contact Claire on 02392412956 or visit www.womenswisdom.co.uk |
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Events
Aurora & HSBC host Nottingham & Sheffield Women's Business Events Prowess founding member, Aurora, is delighted to announce two further regional businesswomen's events in Nottingham 27 June and Sheffield 11 July. Following the recent Manchester event that saw 175 women networking for business and discussing growth issues, Aurora and HSBC want to support even more women-owned businesses across the regions. Join us for excellent networking, inspirational speakers and top business knowledge !! Book for Nottingham at http://www.network.auroravoice.com/EventDetail.asp?Event=178 & Sheffield at www.network.auroravoice.com/EventDetail.asp?Event=191 or call 0845 260 7777. And watch out for our Bristol & Brighton events coming soon !!
This section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here 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 details of membership click here |
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New ResearchThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here |
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MembersNew members of Prowess include: Harmony Training Ltd www.harmonytraining.org.uk JD Approach Ltd www.jdapproach.co.uk Maingredient www.maingredient.co.uk The Welland SSP www.thewellandssp.co.uk 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 2006. 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 |
