Black & Minority Ethnic Enterprise in the Northwest

Black & Minority Ethnic (BME)-owned businesses make up approximately 7% of the Northwest’s businesses, contributing around £1.7 billion to the regional economy, according to the Wealth Bringers report.

Self-employment rates of BME groups are growing faster than White British groups, but there is considerable room for improvement regarding BME access public procurement opportunities, finance and business support.

The Northwest Enterprise Strategy includes several initiatives aimed at encouraging BME entrepreneurship - including Enterprise Awareness, a media campaign led by Make Your Mark, which is currently being piloted in the Northwest.

Find out more about BME enterprise in the Northwest (provided by the Northwest Regional Intelligence Unit)
Find out more about business strategy and policy.

Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest

In 2005, the NWDA established the Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Forum (EMBF). The EMBF continues to act as a strategic advisory group seeking to increase the number of BMEs starting up and growing their own businesses in the region. The EMBF’s brochure provides an overview of their aims and objectives along with information on its members and the current BME Enterprise agenda.

View the Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Forum Brochure

The main aim of the Forum is to create an environment in which BMEs within the Northwest have the skills, confidence, support and opportunities to make an equal contribution to economic prosperity. To this end, in 2008 they produced a Northwest BME Strategy Action Plan.

Northwest Black & Minority Ethnic Strategy Action Plan

The Northwest Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Strategy Action Plan sets out the direction of the Forum over the next three years. It supports the initiatives set out in the Government's recent Enterprise Strategy and the Northwest Enterprise Strategy.

View the BME Strategy Action Plan

Black & Minority Ethnic Ambassador Programme

Launched in July 2009, the Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Ambassador Programme aims to promote entrepreneurial talent in the region’s black and minority ethnic communities and encourage members of those communities to set up their own businesses.

The BME Ambassador Programme is Phase 2 of the Northwest Ambassador Programme, which is being rolled out across a number of business areas.

Find out more about the BME Ambassador Programme

Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards

The third Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards are now open for entries. The ceremony will showcase the talents of the region’s BME-led companies, recognising and rewarding their achievements and successes. The Awards are held by the EMBF.