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West Midlands Forum for Supporting Womens Enterprise
Action Plan Launch
The Action Plan for the West Midlands Forum for Supporting Women’s Enterprise was launched on 16 November 2004 at Oak Tree Conference Centre, Coventry.
The event was opened by Isabella Moore CBE (Chairperson, Regional Forum for Supporting Women’s Enterprise), and was well attended with over 90 delegates including representatives of the business support community, women entrepreneurs and regional policy organisations. Isabella gave an update on the Regional Forum and the work that had been done to date, also advising that work on the following areas was well underway:
- a mapping process - looking at the business support available within the region and
- a needs analysis - looking at the experiences on the ground of women entrepreneurs
Jackie Williamson (West Midlands Regional Director for the Small Business Service) gave a presentation on the economic case for encouraging women’s entrepreneurship. Please click the attachment on the right to view her presentation.
This was followed by a 5 minute video clip of Rt Hons Jacqui Smith MP (Minister of State for industry and the Regions and Deputy Minister for Women and Equality). Jacqui spoke of the work of the Enterprise Board and the Regional Development Agency and the importance that the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise has playing in increasing the profile of women enterprise across all the regions. Finally she highlighted the Action Plan as a excellent example of strategic partnership in action, bringing together existing networks, organisations and individuals.
Joanne Bradford BSc (Hons) (Female entrepreneur and co-founder of Holidoze Ltd) spoke of her experiences in starting a business, Holidoze specialises in the manufacture of inflatable travel cots. Joanne gave a really personal account of the ups and downs, and the good and bad experiences of setting off in business.
Mary Harpley (Corporate Director of Enterprise and Innovation, Advantage West Midlands) spoke briefly on the work that is being undertaken elsewhere in the Region on women’s enterprise, including the Prowess Awards. Mary also showcased a number of case studies that were also launched at the Event. Mary thanked those that had taken part in both the mapping and the needs analysis and highlighted this as a really good example of partnership working within the Region.
Launching the Action Plan in Enterprise Week, gave the Forum the opportunity to focus on women’s enterprise as a key priority for the West Midlands region.
The event was hugely successful and well attended, and reinforces the importance of developing an economic climate that supports and encourages women’s entrepreneurship.
Please click the attachment on the right to view the Action Plan.
Presentation to the Enterprise Board
At the Enterprise Board meeting on the 20th April, Lucy Jeynes, Steering Group member of the Forum made a presentation on the Forum's Action Plan. Please click the attachment on the right to view the presentation.
Case Studies
The Forum have recently compiled a number of case studies on women entrepreneurs within the region. Please click here to view the individual case studies.
If you wish to get involved in the Forum, would like to know more or have information about a successful gender specific business support programme in your area, please contact:
Karen Wright, Business Support Policy Manager, Enterprise and Innovation - Advantage West Midlands.
Tel 0121 503 3298 / Email karenwright@advantagewm.co.uk
Delivering this preparatory action for strategic women’s enterprise support on behalf of Advantage West Midlands and with the support of many regional partners.
Related Events
Related Links
Page last updated: 1st August 2005
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