DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/252)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 30 October 2008
The first ever
national Women's Prowess Policy Centre (PNPC) will be
launched by the Government today at a reception at Number 11
Downing Street.
The new policy centre which is receiving over £500,000 of funding
from the Department of Business is the first of its kind in Europe
and will act as a 'one-stop' shop for the latest in
women's enterprise-related research and policy.
The PNPC will drive up the number of female entrepreneurs in the
UK by promoting best practice and raising awareness and
understanding of women's entrepreneurship across Government,
the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Financial Institutions
and Multi-National Corporations.
Support for the centre follows on from a commitment made by the
Government in its Enterprise Strategy in March, to further promote
and support the development of women's enterprise.
Minister for Competitiveness and Small Business, Shriti Vadera said:
"There are 20% more people in enterprise in the US than in
Britain, and the majority of that gap is made up of women. Getting
more women entrepreneurs is an economic issue not just an equality
issue. If we were to match US levels of women's enterprise
there would be 900,000 new businesses in the UK.
"There is a wealth of untapped talent and economic
opportunity that could significantly boost the economy in these
uncertain times. The Prowess National Policy Centre marks the
Government's strong commitment to support women in business".
Financial Secretary to the Treasury: Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP said:
"Boosting women's enterprise will be a major plus for
the economy - that's why we are increasing Government support.
"The establishment of the Prowess National Policy Centre is
a milestone in the development of women's enterprise,
providing a focal point for research and a centre of expertise in policy"
Notes to Editors
1. The Centre will be co-located in Birmingham and London and is
managed by Prowess.
2. The Prowess National Policy Centre (PNPC) is receiving
£540,000 of finding from the Department of Business, Enterprise
and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to March 2009. No decision has yet
been taken on whether further funding will be provided for the
period 2009/10 and beyond. Ultimately, the Prowess National Policy
Centre (PNPC) will need to become self-funding.
3. The Prowess National Policy Centre (PNPC) is to be managed by
Prowess http://www.prowesspolicycentre.org.uk.
PROWESS is a UK-wide advocacy network that supports the growth of
women's business ownership through the development of an
effective women-friendly business support infrastructure and
enterprise culture. We achieve this by raising awareness,
providing capacity building support to organisations which provide
enterprise support services and by lobbying and advocacy at
national, regional, European and local levels.
4. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads
the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets.
It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk