News
Boardroom diversity promotes innovation The Italian company Luxottica, creators of the Ray-Ban brand have pledged to fill at least 30% of their top management jobs with female executives within two years. According to Nicola Pela, Director of HR "We are in the luxury business which is driven by innovation, the more diverse you are the more likely you are to be innovative". Increasingly firms across Europe are recognising the economic advantage of diversity at the top. In Norway the Government has introduced a quota system, Norwegian companies have until Jan 31 2008 to ensure 40% of their board members are female. At the Prowess Annual Conference in February 2008, Arni Hole from the Norwegian Ministry will deliver a keynote speech on the implementation of the quota system in Norway and contribute to the growing debate on boardroom diversity taking place throughout the UK. Prowess conference full programme and booking form: http://www.prowess.org.uk/conference/Fitforthefuture.htm Full boardroom article: http://business.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1918202007 Massive gender gap for high-expectation entrepreneurs There are four times as many male than female 'high-expectation' entrepreneurs in the UK according to new research from the ' Global Report on High-Growth Entrepreneurship', based on GEM data. Globally, men dominate all stages of entrepreneurship activity with only 1/3 of start-ups women owned. Yet it is amongst 'high-expectation' entrepreneurs (start-up firms expecting to employ at least 20 people in five years time) where the gender gap is particularly pronounced. Female entrepreneurs expecting high-growth account for just 20% of Britain's high-growth start-ups. Download the new report at: http://www.gemconsortium.org/about.aspx?page=special_topic_high_growth Number of female directors breaks through 1 million mark The number of women in British boardrooms has broken through the 1 million barrier according to the 'Female Directors Report 2007' from the global information services company Experian. The number of female directorships is also growing at a faster rate than male directorships. Between 2006 and 2007, the number of board positions held by women grew by 10.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent for men. Among the under 30s women have nearly reached parity with men and are increasingly heading towards a similar position in certain sectors such as property management, education, health and social work. http://experian.global-pressoffice.com/show_docs.cfm?dtype=IP&cntry=UK NCGE reports gender balance for enterprise education The National Council for Graduate Enterprise (NCGE) has surveyed 122 universities across the UK and found that that the gender split for enterprise education is relatively balanced at 53% male, 47% female. The report also finds that the student engagment rate in enterprise is just 11% and calls for more to be done to scale up enagement across non-business disciplines. The NCGE has received 1145 applications for its Women's Flying Start Programme in January 2008. A survey of applicants revealed that 98% of respondents said that they chose this programme because it is for women only. http://www.ncge.com/uploads/NCGE_Report_2007.pdf True economic impact of US female entrepreneurs revealed For the first time the National Women's Business Council in the US has measured the economic impact of firms in which a woman owns a percentage of the business at least equal to any other owner and where a woman manages day-to-day operations. Using the new criteria 'women-owned or women led' businesses contribute $1.2 trillion to the US economy. The Council is calling for the research and policy communities to incorporate the data on women-led businesses in the dialogue on women's business ownership in the U.S. to more accurately capture the true economic impact of women business owners. http://www.nwbc.gov/ Business mums lead home-based business revolution The highest growth in home businesses is coming from mums according to the new 'Home Business Report' from Enterprise nation. The report finds that over 60% of new businesses are now started from home, equal to more than 1,400 new home businesses each week, more than any other type of business. According to the authors home business is a route to bring people into employment who might previously have found it difficult to contribute to the economy. Advances in technology which enable almost any trade to be carried out at home, are believed to be fuelling the growth. Enterprise nation is calling for more tailored business support for this target market. http://www.enterprisenation.com/content/home/Test/article_46_1285.aspx EU proposes mentoring scheme for microenterprise The EU has outlined an initiative to enable more socially excluded people and ethnic minorities to become self-employed. Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner called for a new European-level facility to provide expertise and support for the development of micro-finance organisations. This would enable entrepreneurs to not only access a loan but also a mentoring service to ensure the success of the business. The facility would be funded via the European Regional Development Fund and is designed to make micro-credit more widely available across Europe. Further details: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1713&format=HTML&aged= The end of 9 - 5? Flexible working is an increasingly prized job benefit in the UK workplace according to the latest ' Work-Life Balance Employer Survey'. The survey also finds that the amount of workplaces providing childcare facilities has more than doubled since 2003 but still stands at just 18%. The report estimates that employers could save £42 million per year in recruitment costs for flexible working parents of children and £3 million per year for carers. http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-wlabel-dti.nsf/wfArticle?ReadForm&unid=D5A0D39C791A5868802573A6003B49B0 ...and finally Seasons Greetings to all our readers The Prowess team would like to wish all readers a very happy holiday season. As is traditional in place of sending Christmas cards we will be making a £50 donation to a charity closely associated with the work of a Prowess member. This year the donation will be made to Tabeisa, a South African based organisation which enables people from disadvantaged communities to start their own enterprise. http://www.tabeisa.com/The project is run by a consortium of South African and UK higher education institutions led by Coventry Universities Enterprise Ltd. http://www.businessenterpriseworks.org/ |
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Prowess Member's News
Women's Enterprise Ambassadors make regional impact Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are increasingly utilising the talent of the newly signed up Women's Enterprise Ambassadors to advise on economic policy at boardroom level. Angela Maxwell, Managing Director of Acuwomen, a consultancy staffed entirely by businesswomen, joins the board of Advantage West Midlands. At the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Bev Hurley, Prowess member and CEO of YTKO and the Norfolk Network takes up a three year appointment on the board to advise on the business sector. Women's Enterprise Ambassadors who have signed up with their RDA are entitled to one-year's free Prowess membership. For details contact Ann Nicholls at: a.nicholls@prowess.org.uk More resources for women in science, engineering and technology (SET) The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology have re-launched their website to include even more resources for women in SET. Use the new site to find comprehensive stats, case studies, links and more. http://www.ukrc4setwomen.org/ Also revamped is the GetSETWomen database for women in SET to register their details and link up with journalists and people looking for speakers. http://www.ukrc4setwomen.org/html/getset-women-database Fantastic new resource for West Midlands female entrepreneurs Enterprising women in the West Midlands can get all the business advice and training support they need at the touch of a button thanks to a new website from the Women’s Business Development Agency (WBDA). As well as virtual networking opportunities and a one-to-one online mentor, it includes more than 60 hours of business training, fact sheets, tips, templates, and a glossary of 125 business and financial terms. Visit: http://www.westmidlandswoman.co.uk/
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Social Enterprise News
Social enterprise - a world where women lead Leading female social entrepreneurs have been identified as 'ones to watch' in 'The Future 500' - a definitive list of the UK's most successful achievers published recently in The Observer. Penny Newman, CEO of Café Direct, Carmel McConnell, founder of Magic Breakfast, Sophi Tranchell, Managing Director of Divine Chocolate Ltd, and Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Social Enterprise London were all highlighted http://www.future500.org/ New female Chair at Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) The Social Enterprise Coalition has named pioneering Liverpool entrepreneur Claire Dove as its new Chair. She will replace Baroness Glenys Thornton who stepped down after 6 years of leading the Coalition. Claire is CEO of Blackburne House Group, which runs a number of social enterprises providing career opportunities for women in non-traditional sectors such as construction and IT. http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/Page.aspx?SP=2184 BME Social Enterprise Consultation Event This upcoming event (24 Jan) will be a high level discussion and networking opportunity that will lead to the formation of a support network for members to share good practice and learning. It will also be a focal point for information about the development of the BME Social Enterprise project. For details contact: Tamine Mir, Development Manager BME Networks, Social Enterprise Coalition at email: tamina.mir@socialenterprise.org.uk or tel: 020 7792 2284 Launch of Commission for Youth Social Enterprise A youth-led commission to help young entrepreneurs set up in social businesses has been launched. The Commission for Youth Social Enterprise (CYSE) is intended to provide support for people aged 18 - 28 to get their business plan off the ground. Cabinet Minister Ed Miliband helped launch the commissions and says it will have a 'direct hotline' to him to discuss ideas that could influence government policy for young people. http://www.yse.org.uk/ The World's Premier Business Plan Competition for Social Ventures The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is seeking promising social entrepreneurs to enter the 2008 Competition. If you are an entrepreneur (or budding entrepreneur) with a financially sustainable venture that addresses a social or environmental problem, you are encouraged to apply. Executive Summaries are due January 16, 2008. Further details: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/responsiblebusiness/GSVC2008CallforEntrants.html |
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Events
Fit for the Future: 5th Prowess Annual International Conference, 20 - 21st February 2008, Holiday Inn Peterborough West Bookings have been flooding in for this the leading event in the women's enterprise calendar, early bird booking closes 15 December. This conference has sold out for the past four years, book your place today! This unmissable event attracts over 300 UK and international delegates. Get involved in interactive workshops, panel debates, speed networking and the women's enterprise market place and discuss all the hot topics in women's enterprise development. This year we are focussing on the future and making sure female entrepreneurs are given the right support to be at the forefront of a new enterprise movement. Host sponsor is the East of England Development Agency and the conference will be held in Peterborough, one of the most well connected cities in the UK. For a full conference programme and to book your place visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/conference/Fitforthefuture.htm
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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Awards
This 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 Research
This 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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Members
New members of Prowess include: Business Link London www.bllondon.co.uk Rachel Mallows Services to Business www.rachelmallows.com Diane Savory trading as Cult Retail LLP www.cult.co.uk Yvonne Halling of Well Heeled Divas www.wellheeleddivas.com Julie Stanford – Essential Business www.essential-business.co.uk Hove Deborah Turner – Hamlyn Nash Image Consultancy www.hamlynnash.co.uk Rainham, Kent Sarah Steel – The Old Station Nursery www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk Faringdon, Oxon Karen Geisler – works for Smart Women Project, Cornwall College Kay Adkins – KAM Ltd www.kamltd.net Derbyshire Ekky Archibong – Neomari Training Service www.neomari.com Watford, Herts Ami Baker – IMA Enterprises www.imaenterprises.co.uk Bath Julie Bishop – Living Clean www.livingclean.co.uk Norwich Jackie Brennan – Fresh Ideas Events www.freshideasevents.com London Melanie Burnell – www.melanie-burnell.co.uk Dunstable, Beds Nadia Cenci – www.naccoaching.com Ipswich Heidi Cooper – Happy Giraffe www.happy-giraffe.com Hagley, Worcs Nicola Cooper-Abbs – Allwords www.allwords.co.uk Stockport Gwen Coyle – Gwen Coyle Associates: HR and management consultancy based in Ormskirk Claud Cunningham – The Healthy Food Company based in Manchester Zoe Dawes – Chartwell Coaching www.chartwellcoaching.co.uk Carnforth Helen Dowling – Exceptional Thinking www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk Tewkesbury Rachel Doyle – Invocus: SFEDI accredited business advisor based in Coventry Hazel Duhy – WebWork@Woodrow www.woodrowservices.co.uk Wigton, Cumbria Diane Gates – The BGroup(UK)Ltd www.thebgroup.co.uk Newcastle on Tyne Lucy George-Foster – LGF Marketing & PR Ltd www.lgf-marketing.co.uk Plymouth Kathryn Gigg – KMG Management Consultants based in Chard, Somerset Beth Goddard – More! Productions www.moreproductions.co.uk Barnsley Yvonne Grady – works for BL Northwest as Advanced Engineering Sector Broker Su Grainger – Vocal Power www.vocalpower.co.uk Liverpool Jan Harney – In-Your-Element www.in-your-element.co.uk Leigh, Lancs Barbara Hastings-Asatourian – Contraception Education www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk Glossop Kate Hindmarch – Langleys Solicitors www.langleys.com Lincoln Rhiannon Holman – Rhiannon Lapping Associates Ltd provides business and personal coaching, HR consultancy based in Tiverton, Devon Carolyn Hooker – People Inclusive www.peopleinclusive.co.uk Exeter Xenia Horne – MusicMakersUK www.musicmakersuk.com Norwich Julie Kendall – Perspectives Coaching and Mediation Ltd www.coachandmediator.co.uk Saffron Walden Jane Kenyon – Well Heeled Divas www.wellheeleddivas.com Knutsford Karen Mattison – Women Like Us www.womenlikeus.org.uk London Servane Mouazan – Ogunte Ltd www.ogunte.com London Lisa Newton – Boogles Ltd www.booglesltd.com London Sue Rizzello – Potion PR and Marketing based in Windsor Tina McEwen – Chief Executive of Success Matrix, Lincoln Pat Parry – PPBA Training and Development Ltd based in Southport Sharon Lee Sheather – SLS Training www.slstraining.co.uk Cheltenham Janet Shelley – Women Builders Ltd www.womenbuilders.co.uk Milton Keynes Kelly Stevens – Women’s Networking Company www.thewomensnetworkingcompany.com Worthing Linda Stevenson – Achieve Career Consultancy based in Nottingham Rachel Sweet – Sweet Skills www.sweetskills.co.uk Taunton Kate Upcraft – Isis Support Services www.takeuppayrollmentoring.co.uk Leicester Hazel Walker www.hazelwalker.co.uk Leigh on Sea Julie White – Julie White Coaching and Training www.juliew.co.uk Tamworth Carol Wicker – Carol Wicker Ltd www.carolwicker.co.uk Norwich Susan Heaton Wright – Executive Voice/NSN Productions www.executivevoice.co.uk Hatfield Dorothy Wilson – Career Arena www.careerarena.co.uk Loughborough Prof Pooran Wynarczyk based at Small Business Research Unit, Newcastle University
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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 2007. 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 |
