Programme will recognise female success stories

Enterprising Women is set to recognise another cohort of female leaders, employees and teams as the network launches its 2023 awards programme.

Women in business across the Chamber’s membership base in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire can apply for the 10 categories – which cater for a range of careers, from apprentices and employees, to entrepreneurs and longstanding achievement.

The Enterprising Women Awards, held in association with headline partner Michael Smith Switchgear, were launched at the International Women’s Day conference.

Enterprising Women is led by cochairs Jean Mountain and Eileen Perry MBE DL. Through its networking opportunities and inspirational events, it creates an environment for women in business to connect and grow their knowledge, and equips them with the tools to succeed.

Jean, who co-founded the network in 1997, said: “The Enterprising Women Awards are a fantastic showcase of the strength of female talent we have here in the East Midlands, and we’re delighted to bring the celebration back this year.”

Eileen added: “We’ve been running our awards programme since 2013, and every year the calibre of talent never fails to impress us. We are looking forward to reading seeing another cohort of what undoubtedly will be fantastic applications this year.”

Enterprising Women Awards 2023 Categories

Business Woman of the Year

(sponsored by headline partner Michael Smith Switchgear)

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)

Social Commitment (sponsored by She Inspires)

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Unique Window Systems)

Female Employee of the Year (sponsored by Nelsons)

Team of the Year (sponsored by Breedon Consulting)

She Who Innovates (sponsored by Pick Everard)

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)

Rising Star (sponsored by The Turnaround CEO)

Lifetime Achievement (sponsored by Paradigm Wills)

Other supporters of the awards include music sponsors PPL PRS, and video sponsors AVIT Media.

Entries are now open and the deadline is 27 April. Finalists will be announced during a special event on 8 June held at Stapleford Park Hotel, near Melton Mowbray.

The awards will be celebrated with a gala dinner on 6 October at Winstanley House, in Leicester.

To enter, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/enterprisingwomen/enterprising-women-awards

Scott Knowles

Inflation remains a major concern

The Chamber has issued a warning to the Government over the impact of continued inflation after the latest Office for National Statistics data showed an unexpected rise.

In the year to February, Consumer Price Index inflation was 10.4%, up from 10.1% in January after steadily falling for three months.

The Chamber’s chief executive Scott Knowles said this “indicates we are still in the midst of a stubborn inflationary peak”.

“With Producer Price Index inflation at a near-historic high of 12.7%, this illustrates how businesses are still absorbing many of the cost pressures they have experienced across labour, energy, raw materials and fuel for 18 months now,” he added.

“We have always said this is unsustainable, however, and the latest research via our Quarterly Economic Survey shows that more than half of East Midlands businesses expect they will be forced to raise their own prices over the next three months.

“The longer this goes on, the greater the impact on businesses and consumers as much higher prices become the norm.”

Meanwhile, the East Midlands unemployment rate rose from 3.3% to 3.5% in the three months to January. The economic inactivity rate was down four-tenths of a percentage point to 22.3%.