Women in Enterprise

Our ambition in the East Midlands is to unleash the economic potential of women to achieve sustainable economic development, through increasing the number of women starting and growing enterprises, to match the level of men.

East Midlands Women of Worth awards 2009

The East Midlands Women of Worth Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurial, forward-thinking business women from across the region. These women play an important role in today’s society, providing inspiration to other East Midlands women and encouraging them to pursue their dreams of starting-up and running their own business.

There are three award categories:

Business Woman of the Year - For a woman who has achieved outstanding success with her business. An inspiration to up-and-coming business women.
Best Young Business of the Year - For the best, new, female run business (est. post March 2007) that has made giant strides in the quest to achieve its goals.
Most Innovative Business - For the business that can demonstrate entrepreneurial flair, capitalising on an original and attractive product/service.

To nominate yourself or a woman/women of your choice for a Women of Worth Award follow the simple steps of how to enter below.

How to enter

1. Application form

Have a look at the three categories and think about where you or a nomination of your choice would fit. It is advisable that you consult the Hints and Tips, and the Terms and Conditions sections below before filling out the form.

Once completed, the application form should be submitted online or to:

East Midlands Women of Worth Awards
KC Jones
3 St Georges House
Vernon Gate
Derby
DE1 1UQ

Alternatively you can fax your submission back to 01332 224509

Or email to wow@emd.org.uk

The closing date for applications to be received by is Monday 26th January 2009.

Application forms and terms and conditions can be found here

2. Interview

After the closing date has passed, a judging panel will review each entry based on common criteria. Interviews will be held Thursday 5th February 2009 at emda’s offices in Nottingham. In order to make their decision, the judges may request to visit the nominee’s premises at a mutually convenient time.

When the finalists have been chosen, arrangements will also be made for filming to take place at their premises, in order to create video segments to be shown at the awards ceremony.

3. Awards

The winner of each category will be announced at the Women in Business conference on Thursday 5th March 2009 at Pride Park Stadium, Derby.

For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the form please contact KC Jones on 01332 343000 or email wow@emd.org.uk.

UK Female Ambassadors Programme

Inspirational people in the East Midlands are being asked to step forward and join a UK network that will provide support to those budding female entrepreneurs who want to set up their own business. In February 2007, Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Industry and the Regions, announced that she wanted to recruit a 1,000 strong network of inspirational women entrepreneurs to help and inspire more women to set up their own businesses. Each Regional Development Agency, including East Midlands Development Agency (emda), has been tasked with the recruitment of 100 ‘ambassadors’ in their region to reach the target of 1,000 network members. To submit an expression of interest in joining the network, please download the application form below.

[ Click here for Expression of Interest ]

Women's Enterprise 2020

Women's Enterprise 2020 is our action plan to boost women's enterprise in the East Midlands. This document outlines our strategic priorities to achieve our vision, which have been identified as:

Boost the number of women starting sustainable businesses
Support women to grow their businesses on their terms
Create an inclusive culture of enterprise for all women
Develop the knowledge base on women's enterprise in the East Midlands

[ Click Here for Action Plan ]

East Midlands directory of business support for women

The directory of business support for women is full of information and contacts to support women setting up in business. The directory covers region-wide and county based business support organisations as well as tips and advice from women successfully running their own business.

To download a copy of the Directory please [ Click Here ]

Alternatively, if you would like to receive a hard copy of the directory please contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644