Government Response to
Ethnic Minority Business and Women’s Enterprise Task Force Recommendations
“We can’t afford
to waste any business talent”, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson
said today as he launched new measures to ensure women and ethnic
minority business people have the support and confidence to
maximise their business potential.
The actions follow recommendations by the
Ethnic Minority Business Task Force and the Women’s
Enterprise Taskforce.
Confidence, in particular, was outlined as a critical issue in
changing the mindset of potential women and ethnic minority
entrepreneurs to establish and grow their business.
The new measures focus on further developing support in critical
areas such as business support, access to finance, procurement
opportunities, advocacy and data. They include:
· Supporting and catalyzing female entrepreneurship across the
country through the establishment of:
a Women’s Enterprise Champion in each of the regions to
encourage more women to start their own enterprises and to advise Ministers
a new industry-led Women’s Enterprise Forum to increase GVA
growth through women entrepreneurs
· A new Ethnic Minority Business Advocacy Network, which will be
led by the Regional Development Agencies, to provide a single
strategic voice on ethnic minority businesses across the UK
· A commitment between major high street banks to continue to
improve the routes to business finance for women and
ethnic-minority entrepreneurs
· Increasing the data available on women’s and ethnic minority
enterprises to provide evidence for advocacy and policy
SMEs represent 99.9% of Britain’s business community with
ethnic minority SMEs making up around 7 per cent and contributing
an estimated £20 billion to the UK economy per year. Women-led
SMEs represent 15%, contributing £45 billion to GVA per year.
However, if women started businesses at the same rate as men there
would be an extra 150,000 business created.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
“Broadening participation in enterprise is vital to tackling the
economic and social challenges the UK faces today. For Britain to
emerge from the downturn in the strongest position, we need all of
our talented people to maximise their business potential.
“We are committed to ensuring that those under-represented in
business are given every opportunity to turn their ideas and
aspirations into successful enterprises.”
James Caan, Co-Chair of the Ethnic Minority
Business Task Force said:
“Great businesses can start with the single idea of a potential
entrepreneur. Ensuring the voices of all entrepreneurs are heard
is vital – whether that is raising views with government or
talking to business mentors for advice and inspiration. Both are
key to growing a successful business."
Women's Enterprise Task Force co-Chairs
Pam Alexander and Glenda Stone said:
"We welcome the Government's endorsement of our
analysis and work. The Women's Enterprise Task Force
believes that a number of clear and urgent actions are required in
the UK to monitor and drive growth in women's enterprise.
Such actions would leverage greater contributions to the economy
and assist the UK to be far more competitive on the global stage.”
The RDAs will play a key role in bringing the recommendations to life.
Bryan Jackson, Chairman of East Midlands
Development (emda) said:
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the case
for boosting the levels of enterprise from women and ethnic
minority businesses is clear. This is why, as a family, the
Regional Development Agencies have come together and pooled
resources to increase the diversity of our business base.
"I am also very aware of the pressures and pitfalls,
highs and lows, of creating a successful business. As the lead
Regional Development Agency for Enterprise, we at emda are
delighted to be at the forefront of policy making on this agenda,
to help deliver the support that these budding entrepreneurs require."
For more information please contact Fiona Cameron
in the BIS Press office on 020 7215 5978,
fiona.cameron@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Government's responses to the Task Force reports
can be read at:
Women’s Enterprise Task Force: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53444.pdf
Ethnic Minority Business Task Force: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53440.pdf
2. The Prime Minister announced the proposal to set up the
Women’s Enterprise Task Force in his Pre Budget Report in December
2005. It was established, and classified by the Cabinet Office, as
an Ad Hoc Advisory body in November 2006 for a fixed period of up
to three years. Its remit was set as providing high profile
leadership to accelerate women’s enterprise development. It is
chaired by Pam Alexander (CEO, SEEDA) and Glenda Stone (CEO,
Aurora). www.womensenterprisetaskforce.co.uk
3. The Ethnic Minority Business Task Force was set up in November
2007 by Margaret Hodge as an ad hoc advisory body to advise
Government on promoting ethnic minority led business in the UK. It
was jointly funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills and Yorkshire Forward and concluded its work in July 2009.
Task Force members comprised entrepreneurs, academia and
representatives from the public and private sectors. Co-chairs
were Tom Riordan, CEO, Yorkshire Forward and James Caan, from
“Dragons Den” and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw (a private equity
firm). www.embtf.org.uk
4. The Enterprise Champions will be volunteers and will work
alongside the RDAs, enhancing the existing women’s enterprise
ambassador network, meeting the recommendation (number 5) of the
Task Force. Their role will also include encouraging more women
entrepreneurs to feel confident in engaging with media
opportunities; catalyse women’s enterprise networks within the
regions; and supporting the Child Poverty Unit in their drive to
empower more women from low income families into employment,
including self-employment.
5. The Women’s Enterprise Task Force propose that the Women’s
Enterprise Forum will focus on increasing the market of
higher-growth women’s businesses, focussing on issues such as
international growth, increased financial backing and access to
technology. It will consist of some 20 high-end experienced female
entrepreneurs nominated through, and representing member bodies
such as the CBI, BCC, IOD, FSB etc. It will be led, funded and
managed by the private sector.
6. The Ethnic Minority Business Advocacy Network will provide a
strategic voice for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic businesses
and will support RDAs in developing clear lines of communication
with representative organisations enabling better evidence-based
policy formation.
7. The statement from the Banks will be available at www.bis.gov.uk
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
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