More women entrepreneurs wanted as Midlands lags behind
The president of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE) has told Insider that one of her main ambitions is to increase the number of Midlands-based members. Deb Leary said that in comparison to cities such as London and Sheffield, female entrepreneurs in the Midlands have not been as forthcoming in joining the association.
She said: “As a Midlands-based businesswoman myself, I know the benefits that belonging to the association can bring. We’re closely linked to the World Association of Female Entrepreneurs, which has members in 80 different countries.”
Leary, who founded Staffordshire-based Forensic Pathways, also said that she wanted to “encourage international trade amongst female entrepreneurs.
“From a global perspective, the amount of international trade that we are involved in is quite poor,” she said.
“I really want to encourage women to get on board, and see what a difference expanding their horizons in this way can make to their businesses.”
Leary also announced that BAWE would be hosting a series of training sessions in the early months of 2011. Aspirations 2011 will help businesswomen “develop a good core of training”, said Leary.
“We will run the training sessions all over the country. The events will really help women with presentation skills, finance; all aspects of business.”
Leary, who was elected as president of the association in January this year, said that this was a “crucial” time to get female entrepreneurs on board.
“If half the population isn’t engaged, then we’re missing a trick – the problem we’re finding is that women are engaged with business, but not networking.
“We need to have more female representatives in the UK and on the global stage. There needs to be more female role models for upcoming entrepreneurs.”
BAWE is holding a national conference in the West Midlands entitled ‘No Limits’ on 15 November.
