WBECUK Prowess Partnership

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WBEC-UKProwess Partnership

• UK Association of organisations which support
  women to start and grow businesses
• Launched October 2002 by Secretary of State
• Delivered first government womens enterprise
  strategy 2003
• Developing the business support sector
• Influencing the policy environment
• Promoting a women-friendly enterprise culture
• 250 member organisations support more than
  100,000 women to start 10,000 new businesses each
  year

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WBEC-UKWBENC Partnership

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Support
• Inspiration
• Contacts

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WBEC-UKCreating Contract Opportunities

• In-country link between women and multi national
  corporations
• Translates the message to fit the British
  culture

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WBEC-UKChallenges

• Not all UK company representatives understand
  the importance of this programme
• Finding women owned businesses with the right
  skills and size to contract at corporate level
• National Womens Task Force contributing to and
  influencing government policy
• Working with the government to understand the
  importance of supporting this initiative

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WBEC-UKBenefits

• Women now have high-growth opportunity
• Women can work in partnership within the UK
• Women are starting to partner with US based
  WBEs
• There is partnership and business opportunity
  for women globally

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WBEC-UKCreating Contract Opportunities

• Sue Lawton
• Interim Executive Director
• s.lawton_at_wbec-uk.org