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

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 businesswomen
Small Business of the Year – For a company employing 10 people or less that is sustainable and 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.

The East Midlands Women of Worth Awards for 2010 are now closed.

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