Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 1 A Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise - UK Jackie Brierton Consultant - Women’s Enterprise DTI’s Small Business Service, UK

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 2 Importance of SMEs to the Economy Share of enterprises, employment and turnover by size of enterprise, UK, start 2002

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 3 Women’s Enterprise Development in the UK - Background to Policy Piecemeal approach through ‘80s & ‘90s - lack of strategic overview “Grass roots” initiatives, local & regional – but lack of impact on policy development at national level Mainstream business support slow to respond Women’s Unit initiatives 99/00 Formation of Small Business Service in 2000 Phoenix Development Fund – 1 st round - 19 projects to encourage women’s entrepreneurship

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 4 Seven key policy priorities

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 5 Women’s Entrepreneurship – facts & figures Lack of gender-disaggregated data 27% of self-employed in UK are women – with regional variations from 24% to 31% Around 14% of businesses women-owned Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) - 3.8% compared to 8.9% male TEA Women-owned enterprises concentrated in services; retail; catering etc – more than 40% part-time Some indications of recent increase in women’s entrepreneurship activity - improved regional ratios; increased enquiry levels

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 6 Developing the Framework SBS policy lead – Women’s Enterprise Unit Milestone meeting of stakeholders and government – September 02 Formation of women’s enterprise cross-government policy group with high-level Ministerial commitment PROWESS – influencing role, and advocacy through membership Consultation with stakeholders across public, private and voluntary sectors Development of Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise – launched May 2003

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 7 The Strategic Framework Emphasises the long-term cultural/social change needed to improve women’s business ownership in the UK Provides the cross-government policy & research context - & emphasises need for effective cross-cutting of issues Highlights the need to provide improved mainstream services alongside targeted provision

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 8 The Strategic Framework: Encourages an inclusive partnership approach at local, regional and national level Provides practical advice/guidelines for business support agencies and others Quantifies specific targets for achievement by 2006

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 9 Strategic Framework - Quantitative Targets By 2006 women will account for 40% of customers using government- sponsored business support services By 2006 women-owned businesses will account for 18-20% of the UK total By 2006 the number of women from ethnic minority communities receiving business support assistance will be proportionate to the relevant local/regional population.

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 10 Priorities for Action Business support provision More accessible and appropriate support services Mainstream AND targeted provision Development of toolkit for business advisors – ‘The Case for Women’s Enterprise’ Access to finance Increase proportion grants/loans/ equity More innovation e.g. microcredit group lending, women-specific equity funds Training and awareness for both supply and demand sides

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 11 Priorities for Action Childcare and caring responsibilities Allowances/ facilities during start-up Quality support for childcare businesses Transition from welfare benefits to self-employment Increased numbers of women taking up New Deal self-employment options Improved promotion of options and effective liaison between agencies

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 12 Current Business Support for Rural Businesses!

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 13 Current Priorities More emphasis on access to finance agenda Improve data collection and research base Step up regional advocacy and embed central government commitment and resource base Increase relevance of current childcare strategy to women entrepreneurs Access to markets – build on recent procurement pilots Strengthen and develop targeted women’s enterprise initiatives

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 14 Implementation of Strategic Framework - Challenges Effective implementation needs ‘buy-in’ at regional level, as well as across central government Regional devolution in UK will make this particularly challenging post March 2005 SBS role becomes – policy development, influencing and expertise Onus on Regional Development Agencies to lead strategic development and inclusive partnerships Need for effective facilitation and capacity-building – role for PROWESS and others Resourcing is critical issue – current funding crises for many initiatives because of regionalisation

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 15 Recent policy developments Women’s entrepreneurship actions included in DTI Innovation Report Women’s enterprise included as priority issue in regional economic strategies Treasury support for development of national women’s business council – consultation process starting Spring ’05

Making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business 16 Strategic Framework A Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise Accessible on: or Or ve.uk ve.uk