News£580bn untapped enterprise potential The UK economy could increase by £580bn if more businesses were started by women, ethnic minorities and people living outside London says Digby Jones of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). According to the CBI if enterprise levels in the UK for women matched those of men, there would be 1.7 million more self-employed women. However if current trends continue then the enterprise gender gap will widen. CBI analysis forecasts that by 2020 there will be 2.6 million more self-employed men than women. In order to narrow the gap and meet Government targets the CBI calls for 'RDAs to ensure entrepreneurs, particularly women and ethnic minorities have access to proper information on different types of finance, for RDAs to free up resources to provide support, networks and mentoring for growing businesses and for the DTI to ensure that business support schemes are sufficiently funded to achieve their targets'. The report raises concerns that the Government's recently announced 'rationalisation' or 'deproliferation' of business support schemes could be used to justify a cut in resources. The priority must be effective schemes which add value says the CBI. Download: 'Boosting enterprise across the population' at: http://www.cbi.org.uk/enterprise FSB reports drop in female enterprise The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has reported a drop in the number of female owned firms. Based on a sample of 18,939 small businesses the FSB Biennial Survey of SMEs is the largest of its kind. In order to bring their data more in line with international comparisons the FSB adopted a broader definition of women-owned firms to include for the first time wholly-owned and majority-female owned firms. The survey found that just 14% of small businesses meet this criteria compared with the US figure of 48%. This also represents a 1% drop in the number of female-owned firms since 2004, despite the use of the broader definition of 'female-owned'. The SBS Annual Small Business Survey also puts the number of female-owned firms at 14%. Download 'The FSB Biennial Membership Survey 2006' at: http://www.fsb.org.uk/documentstore/filedetails.asp?ID=331 and the SBS Annual Small Business Survey at: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/sbsgov/action/home?&domain=www.sbs.gov.uk Women and Equality Unit moves from DTI Following the Prime Ministers' cabinet reshuffle and departmental restructuring, the Women and Equality Unit has moved from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). The DCLG will be led by Ruth Kelly who also takes over from Tessa Jowell as Minister for Women. Meg Munn will join the new department and confirmation is expected in the next twoweeks as to whether she will retain the role as Deputy Minister for Women and Equality. At the DTI, Alastair Darling takes over from Alan Johnson as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and following Alun Michael's resignation Margaret Hodge becomes Minister for Industry and the Regions. http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/hmg.cfm One NorthEast invite tenders for Women's Enterprise Unit Pilot One NorthEast are inviting tenders for the external project management and successful delivery of their Women's Enterprise Unit. The primary objective will be to support the implementation of the Women's Enterprise Action Plan, working closely with agency staff and key partners. The project is due to start 29 May 2006 and will run until the end of March 2007. An indicative budget of £40K has been allocated to the project. The closing date for proposals is 12 noon on 22 May 2006. For further details visit: http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/e-tendering/detail.cfm?mode=article&ArticleId=329 First regional Business Link contracts announced The East Midlands Development Agency have announced that from April 2007 the region's core Business Link service will be delivered by East Midlands Business (EMB) Ltd. This is a new company set up specifically to deliver part of the business support strategy in the region through its Information, Diagnostic and Brokerage (IDB) service. The London Development Agency has signed a £60m agreement with service company SERCO to deliver the capital's business support from April 2007 (subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry). The RDAs took over responsibility for the management of Business Link operators from the Small Business Service in April 2005. http://www.englandsrdas.com/home.aspx Second round of LEGI funding opens The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative designed to promote entrepreneurial activity in deprived areas is now open for the second round of bidding. A total of £60 million will be awarded for projects beginning in January 2007, the closing date for applications is 14 September 2006. Proposals which were successful under the first round were those which emphasised the role of strong local partnerships in delivering change. http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2126 Women entrepreneurs urged to capitalise on Olympic business London's women should seize the momentum and start businesses now in order to capitalise on Olympic related business says Murziline Parchment, Policy Director for the Mayor of London. She said "It is no use waiting until 2011 and then saying you didn't get the chance to compete for Olympic-related business, London is spending millions of pounds daily to invest in jobs, there are great opportunities from now to 2016". http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=328211 3rd Prowess US Study tour - Washington D.C The USA has been identified as the gold standard for those developing women's enterprise policy and practice around the world. Building on the success of our previous study visits, join us and key players in the field and our US partners, Quantum Leaps, an internationally acclaimed women's business accelerator organisation, in Washington DC 9 - 13 July. Meet leading thinkers, policy makers, support organisations and business owners to discuss issues in a format which maximises the chance for sharing knowledge and experience. A key theme of the visit is business growth and how to make it happen. Places are limited and are booking up fast so to take part in this invaluable opportunity download a booking form at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/WashingtonStudyTour2006.asp For further information about the itinerary contact Ann Nicholls on 01603 762355 or email a.nicholls@prowess.org.uk |
|
Prowess member's newsNew women's enterprise appointees at SBS Sara Stead has been appointed as Women's Enterprise Team Leader at the Small Business Service (SBS), she can be contacted at: sara.stead@sbs.gsi.gov.uk. And Marianne Law joins the SBS analytical unit as the lead contact for women's enterprise, contact Marianne at: marianne.law@sbs.gsi.gov.uk WEETU - Social Return on Investment study WEETU (Women's Employment Enterprise and Training Unit) has shown that for every £1 spent on their services, there is a £5.80 social return in reduced welfare benefits and increased tax contributions. The study was carried out by WEETU with Enterprise Research and the new economics foundation, it demonstrates that WEETU's social value is £3.8 million above its grant funding. The annual turnover of businesses which WEETU has helped start is £3.5 million. Download 'Social Return on Investment WEETU is Worth the Money' at: http://www.weetu.org/resources/WEETU_Reports_2.pdf Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion - member's success David Rowe, Director of the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd has received the Queens Award for Lifetime Achievement in Enterprise Promotion, in recognition of his commitment and innovation in developing the Science Park. Many congratulations to David and also to another Prowess member Amanda Parris, Business Centre Manager of Rotherham Investment and Development Office, who received an 'Achievement in Enterprise Promotion' award. http://www.queensawards.org.uk/individual/2006_Recipients.html CDFA - Proof that micro-lending can work The Community Development Finance Association (cdfa) and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation have launched a new report evaluating the work of the pioneering community development finance institution (CDFI) Aspire Microloans for Business. Specialising in the provision of small loans of up to £15,000 to the self-employed and microenterprises with an average loan size of around £2,000 in its five years of operation, Aspire disbursed over £1.5 million to more than 400 clients. The majority of these loans went to ‘neighbourhood’ businesses (e.g. hairdressers, taxi drivers, green grocers) located in socially and economically disadvantaged communities who were either unwilling or unable to access mainstream bank finance. Download the briefing summary and report at: http://www.cdfa.org.uk/cmframe.php?prmid=6101 Prowess Board Update Sally Arkley has been elected as the Chair of the Prowess Board, Sally is Director of the Women's Business Development Agency. Sylvia Phillips of Bolton Business Ventures has been elected as Prowess Vice Chair. For a full list of board members visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/people.htm WIN - Publications available Women Into the Network and the Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) partnership have several role model publications available for support organisations and clients. The publications: 'Northern Lights - 1, 2 and 3', 'If (Inspired Females) only - 1, 2' and 'European If only' can be requested by contacting the WIN Office on 0191 334 5506 or emailing: info@networkingwomen.co.uk. Women Returner's Network unveil new website WRN have unveiled their revamped and expanded website with new interactive resources for women looking to return work. Women can now use the site to help them identify their marketable skills, tailor their CV to demonstrate experience both in and out of the workplace and get tips on preparing for interviews. http://www.women-returners.co.uk/cms/ EM Business Women Networking Event Bolton Council's Ethnic Minorities Business Service (EMBS) recently held a networking event to celebrate the 50 women they have helped to start-up in business since 2000. Ninety-two percent of these businesses are still trading after three years. For further details on the EM Women's Business Network contact 01204 336147. Business Women's Link announce 2nd Annual Conference Business Women's Link (BWL) have announced that their 2nd Annual 'Pathfinder' Conference will take place at Belvoir Castle, Lincolnshire on 11 October. The conference will focus on setting and achieving goals. For further details see: http://www.successmatrix.co.uk/ |
|
EventsStarting your own business workshop London June 6th and Leeds June 8th, 'eve educates' is a new exciting venture from eve magazine. The aim for the workshops is for every woman attending to be able to answer the following questions: Have you got what it takes to start out on your own? Are you confident about devising a business plan? Are you aware of the realities of running your own business? Would you like expert information on how to finance your idea? www.subscribeonline.co.uk/eveeducates This section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here |
|
AwardsThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here |
|
New ResearchThis section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here | |
VacanciesWiRE Eastern Region Network Officer £22,000 - £26,000 Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) the national network for rural female entrepreneurs, is looking to recruit a network officer for the Eastern Region for their Enterprising Women Project. Experience of women's enterprise start-up business support, or self-employment and an understanding of rural issues and communities would be an advantage. This post is funded by the European Social Fund and EEDA until December 2007. The closing date for applications is 2 June. For a full job description and application pack contact Polly Gibb at polly@wireuk.org | |
MembersNew Members of Prowess include: West London Business www.westlondon.com BDS Business Development Services (North West Essex) Ltd ADER (Agricultural Development in the Eastern Region) www.ader.org.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 |