12 February 2008
First region wide Women in Business Awards launches in the
Northwest
A new business awards is being launched in the Northwest to
recognise and reward the huge contribution that female
entrepreneurs make to the regional economy.
Organised by the Northwest Women’s Enterprise Forum (NWWEF), the
Northwest Women in Business Awards is the first region wide event
celebrating the achievements of the women that are running some of
the region’s most successful and innovative businesses. It aims to
inspire and encourage more women to consider enterprise as a career
and increase the number of women starting up or expanding
businesses in the Northwest.
Principally sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development
Agency (NWDA) and supported by Bolton Business Ventures, Business
Link Northwest, Make Your Mark and the CBI, the Awards will have
three categories – Business Start-up of the Year, Young
Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. There
will also be a special Judges Awards which will be given in
recognition of an outstanding contribution to Women’s
Enterprise.
Sylvia Phillips, Chair of the NWWEF, said:
“Female entrepreneurs make an important contribution to the
regional economy and it is vital that we create an environment and
culture that encourages more women to start and grow
businesses. To promote more female entrepreneurship, we want
to recognise and celebrate those women who are already successful
and establish role models for other women contemplating starting up
businesses and that is exactly what these awards are designed to
do.”
Vanda Murray OBE, NWDA Board Member and Women’s Ambassador
representative, said:
“The Regional Economic Strategy identifies women as a group with
huge potential to increase the number of new enterprises in the
region, a key element in driving economic growth. The level of
female owned business start ups in the Northwest is approximately
1% lower than the national average and so it is vital that we work
to increase the number of women starting up and growing their own
businesses.
Through recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements
of female entrepreneurs in the region, these awards aim to inspire
more women to consider enterprise as a career option.”
The Awards presentation lunch will take place at Haydock
Racecourse, Park Suite on Thursday 27th March 2008 from 11.30-3pm.
To register for a place at the event go to www.glasgows.co.uk/womeninenterprise
or 01772 767 758
Nomination forms are now available at www.nwda.co.uk/women
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Notes to Editors:
The NWWEF is the key policy advisory and strategic body
responsible for the development of women’s enterprise in the
Northwest. It provides strategic leadership and policy advice to
the NWDA and other stakeholders in order to bolster support for
women owned businesses, helping them to maximise their full
economic potential.
For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press
Officer on 01925 400552 or 07810 528571 or sarah.moston@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life