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Women encouraged to start SMEs

Published On 7 February 2007 at 13:52:24

It is hoped that a new network of female activists being launched today by the government will inspire more women to start their own small to medium sized businesses (SMEs).

The group of 1,000 women, all entrepreneurs, will primarily target new mothers over the age of 30 and women over 50 whose children have left home.

The Regional Development Agency's "army of women activists" will visit schools, universities, work places and communities throughout the country to demonstrate the opportunities open to women who take the plunge and start up their own enterprise.

Older women are "an untapped source with huge potential", the industry and regions minister Margaret Hodge told the BBC.

"When women have children, they want more flexibility in terms of work. Once their children leave home they often suddenly have more time and untapped talents."

Ms Hodge estimates that if a similar proportion of women started up their own business here as in the US, the UK would have 700,000 more small companies and be £23 billion richer.

It is thought that British men are twice as likely as women to start up their own enterprise.

 

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