International Women’s Day

In this issue:- The world is your oyster women- Introduction to BAWE members- News and Events

Issue One - 8th March 2011

8th March

British Association of Women Entrepreneurs

www.bawe-uk.orgpresident@bawe-uk.org

EditorKimberleyJane86 - Follow me on Twitterwww.graphicdesign-birmingham.co.uk

With special thanks to Inpress Images and Advent Communications

WELCOME

A huge global welcome to you all!

I can’t think of a better time to launch the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs’ �rst online business magazine than on the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day.

The Association has been in existence for over 50 years, so has some way to go before it celebrates its 100th anniversary! However during that time it has naturally seen many changes, none more so than the change in global connectivity, our ability to communicate virtually and instantaneously across borders. Today ‘local is the new global’. For every business that starts up, for every business that creates its �rst website, that business becomes a ‘born global’ company. This brings fantastic opportunities and challenges.

The British Association of Women Entrepreneurs is a peer group designed to challenge you, to help you in your search for business opportunities and project partners. It’s programme of training, workshops and seminars are designed to o�er its members the skills and knowledge to move their businesses forward. It’s a�liation to the FCEM World Association of Women Entrepreneurs is powerful, with over 50 member countries.

Over the past year the Association has reached new milestones. A new website with online exclusive member area, where members can connect, search for partners, develop business and discuss challenges. We have also aligned ourselves with new partners, some of whom are featured in this magazine. We would like to thank our supporters, including Coutts & Co, Wright Hassall and Turkish Airlines for the fabulous support moving into 2011 and beyond.

II would also like to say a personal hello to all our friends within the FCEM and also to our friends in Budapest, Hungary, featured within the magazine, who are holding a fantastic event on International Women’s Day ‘Women in Science, Innovation and Technology in the Digital Age’, and who will be featuring this magazine as part of the Conference. We wish you well!

The world needs women who are not only great but exceptional. The world needs women who are the ‘thought leaders’ and role models The world needs you.I send my heartfelt best wishes to all who are celebrating International Women’s Day.

DEB LEARY, OBE, FRSANational President of the British Association of Women Entrepreneursdeb@bawe-uk.org

5th April 2011 – Instant Results through Effective Marketing (Birmingham)Understand the core areas of marketing and leave with a marketing toolbox unique to your business. The course is delivered by Karen Nichols of Roar Marketing.www.roarmarketing.co.uk/

13th May - Financial Acumen (London)Let us help you guarantee a brighter financial performance for your organisation and stay one step ahead of your bank manager. Topics include discovering survival techniques and creating an accounting health check; strengthening your balance sheet at a stroke; learn ‘financial speak’, learn about available funding for expansion, understand why competitors do better than you; understand financial problems and questions you should ask; planning and preparing for an audit.

23rd June – The Role of the Non Exec Director (London)This is a one day event comprising of panel and round table discussions, plus training. The day is aimed at Non-Exec Directors already in post or those who aspire to a position as a Non Exec, and also for those who want to know how to get the most from a NED. It will focus on:• What is the role of the Non-Exec Director• How can you maximise what you do and how you contribute?• Do you know the risks and how you should be rewarded?• How to get t he best from your own NED

WATCH OUT FOR FORTHCOMING NEWS OF THE ASPIRATION 2011 CONFERENCENOVEMBER 2011

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

European Women Inventors & Innovators (EUWIIN) International Exhibition/Conference and Awards 25 – 27 May 2011 - New Harpa Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik, IcelandBola Olabisi, Vice President of BAWE and Founder of EUWIIN is pleased to invite all BAWE members to this fabulous international conference, exhibition and award ceremony. The theme of the event is:Invention, Innovation, Creativity for Economic & Social Growth in Europe and beyond: SUSTAINABLE IDEAS AND CREATIVITY FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTHTo find out more: www.euwiin.eu/

FCEM WORLD COMMITTEE Mauritius 25 -28 May 2011, Organised by AMFCE, MauritiusThe 2011 World Committee sees the election of the new World President. Those put forward for election on Laura Gucci, Italy and Tanya Hine, UK, former National President of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs. BAWE takes this opportunity to thank Madam Foning, outgoing World President, for her commitment to the FCEM.www.fcem.org

Both these events are being delivered by Jo Haigh, author of Tales from the Glass Ceiling and Buy and Selling a Business – An Entrepreneur’s Guide.

As well as being a partner in FDS Group, Jo is also Head of Corporate Finance for MGR, an accountancy and financial management firm with offices in London and the North of England.

Jo has bought and sold over 300 companies, selling three of her own and has held numerous Non-Executive roles in companies across the country.

Kimberley-Jane Turrellenquiries@kimberley-janedesign.co.ukwww.graphicdesign-birmingham.co.uk

What do you do if you graduate with a Printed Textile degree? Become a fabric designer or work in a fashion print house maybe?

Having spent 4 years of my degree learning how to draw and create digital artwork, instead of your typical screen printing techniques like fabric painting, I entered into the geeky/cool world of digital design. Whilst at Loughborough University I taught my-self how to use computer drawing package called Adobe Photoshop and I loved it! The experimentation and care free attitude of “Oh well if it goes wrong I can press undo” meant that I was able to create some really unique pieces of work.

Since leaving University I continued to feed my desire to create digital art work and I knew what career direction I wanted to take. Unfortunately because I didn’t do a Graphic Design degree at that stage I couldn’t apply for such jobs.

At the beginning of 2010 Kimberley-Jane: Design was born. I wanted to focus on provid-ing Print, Web and Design - this way I could build my portfolio and develop the skills I needed. To ensure the design work I o�ered was of the highest quality I learnt how to use Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. Working across this design platform meant I could produce work suitable for Print and Web.

As I won more design contracts I aligned myself with a print company that o�ered excellent quality litho and digital print. At this stage I had initially planned to work in partnership with two web developers - they would build the websites and I would design them. However, I was encouraged to learn how to use wordpress so I could build my own. Having already built my �rst website, whilst basic, I was con�dent to take on the mammoth chal-lenge of re-building my own website (and I am my worst critic). Since then I have gone on to build further websites from scratch including their company branding.

My next exciting challenge apart from the BAWE magazine is to re-build the website for Forensic Pathways. With all I have learnt I welcome BIG challenges because they push my skills and challenge me to learn more.

I applaud the concept of David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’, which “…exists to generate, develop and showcase new ideas to help people come together to do good things”.But let’s get real about this. The practicality of this in our every-day lives means the Coalition Government are relying upon a good-will army of volunteers to step in and deliver many community based services. Think this doesn’t a�ect you? Think again if you’ve ever received support from a local enterprise/business support agency. That volunteer army will deliver face-to-face business advice and enterprise support. The Government intend to establish a network of at least 40,000 volunteer business mentors.

A new report reveals the UK is set to see an explosion of female enterprise over the next few decades, led by a ‘world is my oyster’ (WIMO) generation of spirited young women. The Avon “ Tomorrow’s Women Report”, commissioned by Avon Cosmetics Limited and produced by Dr Alexandra Beauregard of the London School of Economics, indicates the number of female entrepreneurs looks set to nearly double over the next few decades. I’ve been heavily involved with the Women’s Enterprise Agenda for the past 10 years, and welcome this potential explosion. However, we must ensure those business are sustainable, and equipped for growth. Some of these WIMO’s will look around for support to survive, thrive and prosper. Where will they turn? Returning the UK economy to balanced, sustainable growth is the overriding priority of the Coalition Government. It needs to be a di�erent sort of growth to that which we have experienced in the recent past. The Government and all those involved with economic development must recognise and not overlook the contribution of female enterprise to the agenda for growth. With the abolishment of the Regional Development Agencies, the newly created Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) will now provide the clear vision and strategic leadership to drive sustainable private sector-led growth and job creation in their area.

Unfortunately women are severely under-represented, dare I say invisible on the vast majority of the LEP Boards. Ironic considering Lord Davies of Abersoch was appointed to report on how Government can remove obstacles to women making it to UK boards.

Government’s aspiration, by the end of the Parliament is at least half of all new appointees being made to the boards of public bodies will be women.

Research from Cran�eld University highlighted a lack of female directors in Britain’s top businesses, with women making up only 12.2% of directors of the FTSE 100 companies in 2009. The FTSE 250 companies have an even lower proportion of female directors at 7.3%, and nearly half of them do not have any women in the boardroom. A Chartered Management Institute report shows that gender wage di�erential is still wide. 40 Years after equal pay laws, equal pay for women is not likely until 2067.

In terms of politics 4 out of 5 MPs are men, women make up just 4 out of 23 Cabinet members. At the current rate of progress, a child born today will be drawing her pension before she has an equal voice in the government of her country.

This all paints a pretty gloomy picture of how far women’s equality in business (and work generally) still has to go. I could go on…

Albeit glib – one of my mantra’s is to “make a noise – make a di�erence’. It really is down to us all (men and women alike) to keep putting the strong economic case for women’s enterprise across, ensuring the voice for diversity in business is heard at all levels. From within your own communities, at the board-room table to the political arena.

I’ll step down from my soapbox now. Until next time – the world is your oyster…

By Marla Nelson

The World Is

Your Oyster

Women!

DEB LEARY, OBE, FRSANational President of the British Association of Women Entrepreneursdeb@bawe-uk.org

www.egar.co.ukegar@egar.co.ukScribbling to Success!

Award-winning EGAR Educational Games and Resources offer children and young people solutions with their Let’s Get Talking Choice Discussion Choice card sets and Display message posters. These resources cover Health, addictions, depression; Crime Prevention, Knives, Guns and Gangs; Personal Development, Friends, Your Life; Citizenship, Being Bullied and the Environment, Going Green. A fantastic resource providing learning for life skills and helping young people to overcome the strug-gle to express their thoughts and emotions about real issues in their lives.

These unique EGAR card sets are multi-facetted, simple to use and can be used as an additional or recreational curriculum tool for intervention and prevention work offering solutions for staff teams; mentors, counsellors, PRU’s, social services and parents/carers working with children and young people.

New customers are Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society and orders are in from overseas as we are being steered closely by UKTI and our products are now in the NSPCC library of resources. Leonard Cheshire Disability and University of East London are also giving amazing support to our work.

“

”

I had an accident in 2003 and had to be early retired after a wonderful career, I sat on a sofa for over three years losing every ounce of confidence daily along with my identity, wondering where I was going to end up.

The storm of youth on youth murders started to become publicised heavily when my youngest son was just 17 and I became a frantic mum, concerned with youth crimes and murders and by experience I started to scribble and scribble (and three years later I am still scribbling) – the outcome was the birth of the award-winning EGAR, my very own education resources enterprise...and I intend to become a market leader!

I financed the business through the sale of my holiday home log cabin and decided to take the plunge; I felt so good about the idea! On completion of my Forward at 50 Centre for Micro Enterprise CME businesses course at the London Metropolitan University who’s Director Hilary Farnworth, is still supporting me I was also introduced to the British Library who helped every step of the way. During this time I have featured as a ‘Success Story’ for the Business and IP centre at the library and now roll every day on their promotional video within the library. I am also a case study for the university I received a ‘Special Recognition’ award from the BFIIN (British Female Invention and Innovation Network). I then reached the finals of the Blackberry Women and Technology Awards – Public Sector and

Academia who asked me to be an Ambassador and also became a Finalist for Technology in the Archant Awards. Eureka!!! Every day is a learning curve. am enjoying every minute of this roller coaster ride from having lunch with Peter Jones, a lovely Dragon who inspired and motivated me, and then meeting the London Assembly including the Chair, Darren Johnson who works with Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, asking to visit my office to talk about youth issues and to look at the games and posters; he was highly impressed and gave us this great endorsement:

“This excellent project deserves much wider recognition and I would love to see it made available to all London based Youth Services”.

I have since been invited to become a member of BAWE (British Association of Women Entrepreneurs) this great women’s business support network, that I really enjoy being a member of, especially with the new era BAWE launching at the fabulous Gherkin building towards the end of last year.

I am now flying the flag for Women over 50 who want to start a business as I did, I have a fantastic second career and offer support and give motivational speeches about my incredible journey; EGAR was never actually planned at all, but then again, some things are just meant to be!

Website: www.egar.co.ukEmail: egar@egar.co.uk

Fashion Graduates Step Out In Style with Kindred Sole.com

Kindred Sole is an online designer shoes boutique that aims to ‘Give Your Feet Some Soul’. Launched in October 2009 by First Class Honours Graduates Beth Widdowson and Lizze Leary, Kindred Sole is already having a signi�cant impact on the footwear market. It also helps that not only have these young entrepreneurial women both studied Fashion Retail Buying together at De Montfort University, Leicester, but both of them are self-confessed footwear fanatics!

Lizze states, ‘The Kindredsole.com customer is a fashion innovator seeking unique, trend inspired footwear that will set her apart from her peers, thus creating Kindred Sole’s ethos of showcasing statement-making styles with classical elements. Beth adds, ‘It is this attention to detail that Kindred Sole is committed to, that sets the brand apart from other online stores’. Kindred Sole o�ers a dedicated free phone customer service telephone as well as UK customers receiving free next day delivery on all orders. As a result of visits to its site from 76 countries within a week of its launch, Kindred Sole introduced international shipping, receiving orders from as far as the United States of America and Japan.

Kindred Sole has developed an interactive fashion and lifestyle blog including fashion trends, celebrity inter-views and style advice. In 2010, Kindred Sole launched its online fashion and lifestyle magazine 'Kindred Sole Edition'. Lizze states, ‘Kindred Sole blog and online magazine has given the brand the opportunity to feature on the catwalks of Britain's Next Top Model Live, cover Clothes Show Live and Style Birmingham Live’. Beth adds, ‘Kindred Sole has received media coverage from international blogs, magazines and radio. Including featuring on BBC Radio 1Xtra Young, Smart and Rich documentary looking at how the recession has a�ected young people and how they are taking matters into their own hands and starting their own business’.

Prices range from £30 for staple basics to £140 for designer must haves. Kindred Sole is a shoe community for shoe lovers. Lizze and Beth believe in the need for the personal touch to be added into online shopping and to prove it, all items are gift wrapped as standard. So whether it is a gift for a friend or a treat for yourself you will always unwrap something fabulous from Kindred Sole.

Visit www.kindredsole.com

Freephone: 0808 120 3887

A recent visit by the Latvian Prime Minister is set to mark a new era of stronger business and academic ties between the West Midlands and one of the Baltic’s fastest rising stars.

Valdis Dombrovski addressed more than 80 exporters from the region last week as part of the Midlands World Trade Forum’s latest insight into boosting international trade and immediately expressed an interest in building on common strengths and shared growth industries.

The Prime Minister, the youngest in the European Union, singled out his country’s desire to learn from the West Midlands’ expertise in value added manufacturing and technology, not to mention its ability to bring industry and academia together for mutual bene�t. He also promoted Latvia’s resurgence as a growing economic force and urged local businesses to look at potential opportunities in medical devices, ICT, wood processing and supplying equipment and machinery to multi- billion euro infrastructure projects currently underway.

“We chose the West Midlands over London and Manchester due to its industrial strength and its willingness to lead the world in new technologies and green energy, something we are also looking to achieve,” explained Prime Minister Dombrovski.“The event was a huge success and a number of new partnerships have been established with businesses and academics, partnerships that we hope will turn into long-term ventures and opportunities.”He continued: “I think we have also helped to raise awareness of what Latvia has to o�er, ranging from reduced legislation and favourable tax measures to a multi- lingual, skilled workforce and of course our location as an excellent gateway into Russia.”

BAWE President Deb Leary, who is also CEO of Tamworth business Forensic Pathways and Chair of the Midlands World Trade Forum, picked up the story: “Latvia is a bit of an untapped gem in terms of international exporting for the West Midlands, yet a lot of the opportunities

out there mirror the strengths of companies in our region. The country has also stabilised its economy and is predicting impressive annual GDP growth of 3.5%. Combine this positive outlook with a nation that boasts three ice free ports, a national airport that processes 4m passengers every year and a highly skilled workforce and exporters begin to see why it is viewed with such potential.”

The event was organised and facilitated by BAWE member Karen Mercer-West owner of Lich�eld Business Dunelm Business Consultants for the Midlands World Trade Forum in partnership with the Latvian Embassy and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. It took place at Warwick University’s International Digital Laboratory, also featured keynote addresses on the automotive industry in Latvia, a case study of Grant Instruments’ joint venture in Riga and a lengthy question and answer debate.

At the end of the 3rd quarter of 2009, the UK was Latvia's 8th largest export partner and the 20th largest import partner.

The largest groups of commodities imported from the UK to Latvia were machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical equipment (20% of the total UK export to Latvia) followed by chemicals and allied industries (16%), textiles and textiles articles (15%) and food industry products (8%).

The Midlands World Trade Forum, which is supported by the West Midlands Chambers of Commerce and by UK Trade and Investment, is the largest networking organisation in the West Midlands for companies involved in international trade. Led by business for business, the organisation seeks to share best practice, lobby on issues a�ecting international trade, obtain import and export advice and access specialist support.

BAWE members host Latvian Prime Minister to boost International Trade with the West Midlands

The market for acquisitions by Jo Haigh

If cash is burning a hole in your pocket and you can’t �nd, or indeed have no inclination to place it in, a secure home then acquiring a business may be just what the doctor ordered. Indeed, and this comes with a big ‘assume’, provided you have done your due diligence with as much vigour as in a more competitive environment there will undoubtedly be some bargains to be had for the shrewd, cash rich investor.2009 saw 40,000 businesses go to the wall, with speculation that 2010 could see an even greater number fall. Those that survived, and continue to do so, are leaner and �tter. Although undoubtedly lots of worthy people lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, I suspect that a large number of executives had in fact just been treading water for some time. Those that survived the corporate culling, although some may be a little battle scarred, are generally, as is the norm, the �ttest and sharpest and ready to embrace the new decade. However a word from the wise; for many such people, ownership is the name of the game. Being hired hands has exposed them to insecurities they had possibly not encountered before. As a result the management of a target business, always paramount in a successful acquisition, will be looking for a stake in the ‘Newco’. The savvy acquirer should see this not as a hurdle to overcome but an opportunity to embrace.However the problems for the foreseeable future are not so much about your new man-

agement but rather getting to a deal in the �rst place, particularly so for those acquirers looking to gear up the transaction on debt secured either against the target or its own assets. Put simply; no matter what they say, the banking community is closed for new business and if they do open their doors even a sliver then the deals that are to be done will come laden with penal interest rates, punishing covenants and onerous personal guarantees. Security, and lots (and lots, and lots) of it, is the name of the game and that assumes you can get your relationship manager to even take the possible deal to the bank credit committee in the �rst place. Our company is running a conference at the Landmark Hotel, March 23rd, called Buying and Selling a Business, an entrepreneurs Guide. This event, aimed at owner managers, will contain speci�cs on business valuations, investments and tax advice along with expert legal opinion on protecting what you buy and keeping safe the proceeds from a sale. We invited representatives of every major high street bank to present on their lending criteria as part of our panel of experts. Not one, not a single one was prepared to make a presentation, telling indeed. Well, we thought so!!So, who will fund those highly geared deals if they are to �y? Why the vendor of course, for it is such a person who will take us through this economic crisis. The entrepreneurs who will take a risk or even a small gamble on a successful transaction and often without any sort of sound security, only trust and faith in their business and the acumen of those that acquired it.

Flawed? Possibly. Essential? De�nitely!

Colours include black, pearl grey, white, violet, red and jewel green or blue, in addition to �oral prints; the collection is available in sizes 8 – 16 and retails for between £595.00 and £845.00.

With legs and arms cited by women as two of their top �ve ‘problem areas,’ many of the Jane & Marilyn dresses have �attering three quarter length sleeves and all are designed to fall below the knee – giving a chic silhouette to any shape.

The brand used non professional models in its fashion shoot to emphasise it’s commitment to real women – the sort of women that would be buying the dresses.

The collection is positioned as forever fashion. Trans-seasonal classic items, to be worn and loved year in, year out.In addition to the ready to wear collection, the team will also be o�ering Atelier Jane & Marilyn. A bespoke service which will include alterations; custom garments with modi�cations to design, colour or cloth and a fully bespoke couture service. For further information and to view the full Jane & Marilyn collection visit www.janeandmarilyn.co.uk

Born out of a desire for a feminine but grown up and sophisticated kind of glamour, the collection is the creation of two experienced business women and best friends - Jane and Marilyn. Taking inspiration from the partnership of Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe and the gorgeous clothes of that era, the brand should appeal to women of all ages. Echoing the �attering, elegant style of the 1950’s, the designs accentuate the waist, glide over the hips and embrace curves.

All the dresses are made in the UK, from pure wool, silk or cotton; they are also fully lined in pure silk – in most cases in the brand’s signature lipstick red. “Supporting UK industry is important to us which is why our dresses are made here, and most of our fabric is produced here too,” comments designer, Jane Foddy.

“In the past, we’ve found it a challenge trying to buy something �attering, sophisticated and suitable for wearing with a hat, that also meets dress codes,” says Jane. “So we have created our collection in response to that need. Our research suggests that many women face these same challenges and it is these women who we hope will become Jane & Marilyn customers.”

Signature elements include full circle skirts or pencil with double box pleats or godets at the back, tailoring and �attering necklines typically set wide; each design delivers a touch of old style Hollywood glamour.

The UK has always had a reputation for being a strong trading nation with exports representing 30% of GDP and 60% of UK productivity growth. For some SME’s however international trade is a mine�eld which is where UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can help. UKTI is the government organisation that works with UK based companies to ensure their success in international markets. Throughout the UK there are teams of International Trade Advisers (ITA’s) who can help your business. Services include participation in overseas trade fairs, market visits, bespoke market intelligence together with knowledge and advice about overseas regulations and business practices. The International Trade Advisers are experts who have experience in the private sector and who o�er free advice to your business, helping you to create export plans and strategies. To �nd your local UKTI o�ce and ITA just log onto the UKTI website and input your postcode www.ukti.gov.uk By registering your company on this website you can also get access to sector reports compiled by British Embassy commercial sta� around the world and you can also register to receive business opportunity leads direct to your inbox.

The support that UKTI can provide is both varied and �exible to meet your requirements and includes the following services:

Passport to Export programme – a 12 month development programme for inexperienced exporters including workshop, an ITA, support for export activity and training.

Gateway to Global Growth – a 12 month programme for more experience exporters to assist with their strategic growth in overseas markets.

Export Market Research Scheme – assistance to undertake a structured market research project with a consultant’s advice and with funding.

Export Communications Review - a review by a consultant to identify gaps and issues in your marketing communications with recommendations on how to deal with those linguistic and cultural di�erences.

Overseas Market Introduction Service(OMIS) – a bespoke service undertaken by British Embassy commercial sta� in the country which can be a research report, a list of agents or distributors, an organised product launch, a luncheon for a invited select group whatever you need it to be.

Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) – help to exhibit at international trade shows as part of a group organised by an accredited trade organisation.

Market visit Support (MVS) – support to visit overseas markets as part of an agreed action plan.

For further information for any of these schemes please visit the UKTI website www.ukti.gov.uk

For companies based in the West Midlands you can also contact the West Midlands Chamber of Commerce LLP team on 0845 0743515 or www.wmchambers.co.uk/international for details of your local ITA and for a list of activities being organised by the West Midlands Team.

‘Women in Science, Innovation and Technology in the Digital Age’ - the Joint High-level Conference organized by the European Commission's Directorate-General Information Society and Media(INFSO) and the Hungarian EU Presidency in collaboration with the European Centre for Women and Technology and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences the 6-8th of March 2011 in Budapest celebrating also centenary International Womens’ Day was opened by Vice President Neelie Kroes, Commissioner of the Digital Agenda who expressed her hopes that ‘the conference will be remembered as an event where the real change in the attitude towards Women and Technology came about’.

200 participants from 27 countries representing public, private stakeholders, academias and NGOS worked together with one major goal, to through a holistic approach, lay the framework for a partnership and platform that will deliver measurable and signi�cant progress for girls’ and womens’ involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) on a European level.

Entrepreneurship was one of the �ve key focus areas of the Budapest conference (the others being education, research and innovation, workforce and leadership and media).

The Budapest conference stressed that it is time to lay the foundation for post-recession growth and a focus on women as a target market will measurably increase a company’s odds of success now that the recovery begins.

As the key issues of the future the following were emphasized:• Support to female entrepreneurs to speed up commercialization of ICT businesses;• Support to get women to grow beyond the micro finance;• More vocational training in secondary school and more internships with corporations;• Need for advanced skills in: problem solving, negotiating, decision making, communication, financial skills• Mentors and role models

All �ve coordinated, bench marked and monitored on European level!

For more informationgo to: www.upres2011.womenandtechnology.eu

Eva Fabry, Director ECWT, e-mail: eva.fabry@womenandtechnology.euwww.ictwomendirectory.eu

Colours include black, pearl grey, white, violet, red and jewel green or blue, in addition to �oral prints; the collection is available in sizes 8 – 16 and retails for between £595.00 and £845.00.

With legs and arms cited by women as two of their top �ve ‘problem areas,’ many of the Jane & Marilyn dresses have �attering three quarter length sleeves and all are designed to fall below the knee – giving a chic silhouette to any shape.

The brand used non professional models in its fashion shoot to emphasise it’s commitment to real women – the sort of women that would be buying the dresses.

The collection is positioned as forever fashion. Trans-seasonal classic items, to be worn and loved year in, year out.In addition to the ready to wear collection, the team will also be o�ering Atelier Jane & Marilyn. A bespoke service which will include alterations; custom garments with modi�cations to design, colour or cloth and a fully bespoke couture service. For further information and to view the full Jane & Marilyn collection visit www.janeandmarilyn.co.uk

Born out of a desire for a feminine but grown up and sophisticated kind of glamour, the collection is the creation of two experienced business women and best friends - Jane and Marilyn. Taking inspiration from the partnership of Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe and the gorgeous clothes of that era, the brand should appeal to women of all ages. Echoing the �attering, elegant style of the 1950’s, the designs accentuate the waist, glide over the hips and embrace curves.

All the dresses are made in the UK, from pure wool, silk or cotton; they are also fully lined in pure silk – in most cases in the brand’s signature lipstick red. “Supporting UK industry is important to us which is why our dresses are made here, and most of our fabric is produced here too,” comments designer, Jane Foddy.

“In the past, we’ve found it a challenge trying to buy something �attering, sophisticated and suitable for wearing with a hat, that also meets dress codes,” says Jane. “So we have created our collection in response to that need. Our research suggests that many women face these same challenges and it is these women who we hope will become Jane & Marilyn customers.”

Signature elements include full circle skirts or pencil with double box pleats or godets at the back, tailoring and �attering necklines typically set wide; each design delivers a touch of old style Hollywood glamour.

Andrea Ferenczi,President of the Association for Women’s CareerDevelopment in HungaryPhone: +36 1 319 5245, Cell: +36 30 982 7093Fax: +36 1 319 2017E-mail: ferenczi@t-online.hu

Andrea Ferenczi has 20 years of experience in the �eld of women's opportunities and career development, including helping women attain leading positions by the implementation of Western (incl. American and European) models within a Hungarian cultural framework.

She is an entrepreneur and founder of the Association for Women’s Career Development in Hungary (AWCDH - founded in 2003) which has been accredited as consultative NGO to the UN-ECOSOC from 2009.

The AWCDH aims to advance the dialogue between the legislative, government, pro�t- and non-pro�t spheres and higher education, as well as all potential stakeholders of AWCDH in order to solve economic, social, cultural and educational challenges.

Expert ActivitiesIn September 2010 Andrea Ferenczi has been selected as member of the Employment and Active Ageing Expert Group of AGE Platform Europe. She has been nominated by Older Women’s Network, Europe. Since May 2009 she has been appointed as board member of this organization.

Andrea Ferenczi served as consultant to the „Women in Economic Decision-Making Road-Map Work Group” of the Ministry of Social A�airs and Labour (2006-2010).

She has been participating as advisor in the work of the Committee on Employment and Labour of the Hungarian Parliament in the �eld of “women and equal opportunities”.

In the European Parliament Andrea Ferenczi is cooperating and consulting partner of Hungarian MEPs Mrs. Livia Járóka, vice-chair woman and Dr. Zita Gurmai, member of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

Andrea Ferenczi is member of the Executive Diversity Council of Diversity Spectrum Corporation, the number one online resource for global diversity news, information, and intelligence.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Diversity Spectrum Inc. was established in 2007.

Participation in CSW 52 and CSW53 as well as in CSW 54 in New York in March 2010 as UN-ECOSOC accredited NGO representative.

In the News

New Partnership between BAWE and Wright Hassall

A Midland law �rm has chosen a �tting anniversary to announce a special union.

Wright Hassall Solicitors has formed a unique partnership with the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE) to o�er a wide range of support to the group’s 200 UK members. This announcement coincided with the 100th International Women’s Day and Deb Leary, CEO of data analytics �rm Forensic Pathways, and president of BAWE, believes this partnership represents a signi�cant step for the association.

“I met representatives from Wright Hassall at our ‘No Limits’ networking event and they were taken by the work that we do,” said Leary, who was awarded an OBE in 2008 for her commitment to entrepreneurship and the community.

“This is the �rst time we have established a partnership like this with another professional organisation such as Wright Hassall and this is why it is so important. This will bene�t our members greatly in that they will have the opportunity to use Wright Hassall’s facilities, have access to discounted legal advice and be part of strong support network.”

Toni Sharp is a member of the employment law services team at Wright Hassall and she believes the positive impact of this partnership could reach even further. She said: “There is research that suggests entrepreneurs and start-up businesses are key to the economy, particularly when coming out of recession. Therefore anything we can do to help an organisation that supports this approach to business can only be constructive.”

“We plan to lend a helping hand in whatever way possible, be it providing meeting or conference facilities to discounted legal advice on issues that are prominent in this area of business.”

As a consequence BAWE Members are able to claim Turkish Airlines Turkish Club Membership, which o�ers a wealth of bene�ts, including additional baggage allowance, free rebooking if you have to rearrange your schedule, special reductions, and use of Corporate Lounges, just to name a few of the bene�ts. Having met with the team from Turkish Airlines, Deb Leary, National President of BAWE said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for BAWE members. Turkish Airlines is an exceptional airline and it is important to note that they don’t just �y to Istanbul, but have in fact o�er over 170 routes globally including South Africa, China, Central Europe, the USA, and many parts of the Middle East.

Any members who are interested in becoming a Turkish Corporate Club member should contact deb@bawe-uk.org Serkan BINYAR, Regional Marketing Representative, BirminghamDeb Leary, National President, British Association of Women EntrepreneursMustafa Saglik, Director, Turkish Airlines, Birmingham

March 2011 has seen the announcement of a partnership between the Association and Turkish Airlines.