#Newsroom: Savvitas Natwest: Launch of the UK Economic Blueprint for Women White Paper

Created with the input of 400 business women from across the UK.

TheLaunch of the UK Economic Blueprint for Women White Paper White Paper from Savvitas NatWest makes practical and achievable recommendations for Government and for private and third sector organisations, with ideas gained from women businessowners during a national Economic Blueprint (EB) Roadshow supported by NatWest.

Savvitas celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week #GEW2020 with the publication of this groundbreaking White Paper from Savvitas NatWest ‘Leveraging Opportunity for UK Female Entrepreneurship.’

The launch took place online on Wednesday 18th November 2020, the Diversity & Inclusion day of Global Entrepreneurship Week, with entrepreneurs and women business owners from throughout the UK, along with parliamentarians, business professionals and academics.

Speakers and participants included:
The Earl of Erroll, Cross Bench Peer & Technology Entrepreneur; Craig Tracey MP, Chairman The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women & Enterprise; Helene Martin Gee, Savvitas Founder & CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor and Parliamentary Adviser; Jill Pay, Chairman Pink Shoe Senate, Former Sergeant at Arms UK Parliament; Brenda King MBE, CEO ACDiversity, previously European Economic & Social Committee; Julie Baker, Head of Enterprise and Community Finance at NatWest Group; Yvonne Greeves, Director of Women in Business NatWest Group; and Sue Lawton MBE, Global expert on Women’s Economic Empowerment, UN High Level Panel.

There is growing body of evidence that the pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on women, including recent research from the IMF and the World Bank, the so-called ‘pink recession’. It’s vital that every step is taken to encourage and support the UK’s women business owners.

Delegates joined informal discussions and knowledge-sharing to promote the recommendations and encourage the growth of women’s enterprise.

The UK Economic Blueprint for Women White Paper (EB White Paper) is helping to create the conditions for women-owned/led businesses to gain a fairer share of business opportunities and contracts nationally, with a focus on helping women to scale up their businesses.

Access the Executive Summary and full White Paper here: www.savvitas.com/economic-blueprint

COMMENTS

Craig Tracey MP said: “As chairman of the Women and Enterprise All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPGWE) and an active MP in my North Warwickshire constituency, I recognise the vital contribution that women business owners make to the economy and their communities. More progress to improve opportunity for women’s enterprise offers huge potential for the nation’s future prosperity. I welcome this White Paper, which builds on the work of the Rose Review and the APPGWE Report ‘The Future of Female Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Progress’ we published in 2019.”

The Earl of Erroll said: “The Savvitas NatWest White Paper comes directly from British women business owners. Its recommendations create an opportunity for Parliamentarians of all parties to understand what female founders need. I am especially keen on the proposal to embed entrepreneurial education into the curriculum at all stages.”

Helene Martin Gee, Founder of the initiative said: “Despite current challenges we’re seeing a growth in female enterprise and wider recognition of our valuable contribution to the economy. As Savvitas collaborates with its partners to continue to promote and support female enterprise, I hope the recommendations in this White Paper, gathered directly from UK business women, will stimulate progress throughout the whole country.”

With thanks to NatWest for their support of the National Roadshow that enabled Savvitas (formerly Pink Shoe Club) to gather ideas for this White Paper from 400 local women business-owners at events in Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London and online.

Savvitas is proud to be the delivery partner. With its team of 100 volunteers, Team EB, it is using advocacy and influence to seek policy and economic solutions to improve opportunities for women-led businesses.

Savvitas, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA UK.

www.savvitas.com

Contacts:
Lyndon Gee: lyndongee@btinternet.com
Noreen Cesareo: communications@marketaccents.com

SAVVITAS

Established following thirteen years of the Pink Shoe business women’s network. Savvitas enjoys an international presence and carries out vital work in women’s leadership and entrepreneurship.

With the burgeoning new normal, we’re seeing a revolution in the world of work. Savvitas and Pink Shoe are poised to support and encourage this new age of leadership and enterprise.

The inspiring Pink Shoe ambassadors and members remain at the heart of all we do while the Pink Shoe philosophy of Recognition; Development; Ethics and Inclusion is at the centre of the new brand Savvitas. Please visit www.savvitas.com and www.pinkshoeclub.com for more information.

#Newsroom: Launch of the APPG WE Report: The Future of #Female #Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Progress

Noreen Burroughes Cesareo, Co-chair of the International Trade and Connections sub-group within the All Party Parliamentry Group (APPG) for Women and Enterprise is proud to be a contributor to the first report ‘The Future of Female Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Progress’ issued by the group which includes recommendations to Government and Industry.

The report was launched at Westminster on July 16 2019.
The APPG report establishes the current experience faced by female entrepreneurs, and sees the potential growth of women-owned businesses as an area of economic opportunity for the UK.  They already contribute an impressive £115 billion to the economy, despite the fact that they currently secure significantly less than 5% of corporate and public sector contracts.
This first report focuses on three major issues identified as facing female entrepreneurs:

  • Access to Finance
  • Business Support, Coaching and Mentoring
  • International Trade and Connections

Noreen said, “The International Trade and Connections group conducted extensive research, interviews and study over three years. Among our list of recommendations in this field to Government and Industry, we highlight the following points.”

Role Models for Exporting
Our findings highlight the lack of visible role models from among women-owned businesses that are exporting internationally. There is also a gap in the number of trained official advisors from government, NGOs or private organisations specifically appointed to advise on international trade and support women-business owners get to international markets.

Seen from an international trading perspective, UK women-owned businesses in particular face different issues to their male counterparts, due to differences in cultural norms which can create barriers in access. There were many anecdotal examples of where this has happened particularly during negotiations or when discussing specific detail within areas of expertise which was particularly visible in fields such as logistics, construction, which have historically been male-dominated and run.

Setting Standards Internationally
Currently there are countries in the Commonwealth and North America that are ensuring women-owned businesses have a foothold in international markets. By working with them and seeking to set international standards, the UK will be regarded as one of the drivers in this field, which has the potential to open doors for women-owned businesses to extend their markets.

There are many instances where this can take place through existing channels, such as the cross-Government initiative “Exporting is Great” campaign and organisations that promote UK companies such as Made in Britain (manufacturing), Chamber of Commerce and Institute Of Directors. The UK has always been regarded as one of the leading countries in international trade, and such campaigns will continue to emphasise this message and create openings into new markets.

A lack of gender disaggregated data was also a recurring theme throughout our inquiry which has the consequence of restricting the ability to create effective forward strategies.

The full report can be downloaded here.

 

#WomenOwned #WEI #WEConnect #PinkShoe #TeamEB #Savvitas

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