Women’s Ambassadors Programme Thank you for your interest in the Women’s Ambassador programme. The following pages will give you more information about the ambassador programme and how you can get involved.
Take the Lead!
Women are drastically underrepresented in the business world, both in terms of occupying top jobs and when it comes to owning and operating their own businesses. Recent research shows that only 15% of business in the UK is womenowned and that girls between the ages of 18 – 24 are four times less likely to go into enterprise than their male counterparts. Over the last few year’s much evidence has been produced from the Small Business Service of the DTI, Prowess, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and other research bodies, which shows that in order to gain increased economic development, greater innovation and creativity in the UK it is essential to grow the number of womenowned businesses. The Women’s Ambassador programme is borne out of the national scheme Girls! Make Your Mark, a national campaign which aims to inspire young women and girls to make their ideas happen, aiming to close the existing enterprise gender gap. The campaign is brought to life through the inspiring stories of women who are already making their ideas a reality, and realistic role models who demonstrate that dreams, ideas and goals can be fulfilled. This is where you come in!
Background Information The Women’s Ambassador Campaign is borne out of the successful 2006 Girls! You’re your Mark campaign. It was launched in February 2007 by Margaret Hodge to help create a national network of women entrepreneurs. It aims to promote a culture of women’s enterprise whether by starting a business or social enterprise, or by making an innovative idea happen at work. It is an inspirational and ambitious campaign, backed by an unprecedented coalition of business, charities, education bodies and government – it’s unique in being women focused, businessled and governmentbacked.
The benefits of becoming an Ambassador • • •
• • •
An invitation to be part of the Women’s Ambassadors network of inspirational women. Promotional opportunities for you and your business through our national press office, newsletter and campaign websites Speaking opportunities at schools, colleges, universities or at networks, conferences and events Other personal development opportunities including offers of training, information on relevant awards and invites to networks and events offering opportunities to meet wellknown business people, media and celebrities The opportunity to shape policy at a local, regional and potentially national level Receive regular enewsletter updates on enterprise and the women’s enterprise agenda keeping you in touch with everything that’s going on
Please note that some opportunities are under the control of the Women’s Ambassador campaign and can be offered immediately, others will be sought from third party organisations who contact us, i.e. media, networks, schools, campaign coalition members, other partners and will be offered as and when they arise.
Could you be an Ambassador and represent our campaign?
As someone who has made an idea happen, has a positive outlook on life, and a belief in yourself and your ideas we’d like to invite you to be an ambassador. This would mean representing our campaign locally and/or nationally, to inspire and encourage other women to make their ideas a reality.
Ambassador Categories Female Startup Single Parent Entrepreneur Entrepreneur
Champion
Graduate Entrepreneur
Family business
You are a passionate, innovative and creative woman just setting out on the road to success, making your ideas happen through your own enterprise or community venture.
You are an inspiring woman who has already arrived at your destination and can lead by example. Driven by ambition and a good idea, you understand that hard work and persistence are required to make your ideas reality and you have the ability to inspire others to do the same.
You have recently graduated from University with a business idea and set up your own business. You want to encourage other female graduates to explore their ideas and take the lead.
You have taken over the running of an established family business and leading it in new directions. You want to inspire other women to take the driving seat.
You are a single mum who has taken the leap into the unknown and set up her own business. You want to share your experiences and help other enterprising single mum’s develop their business ideas and pursue their dreams.
The Ask
All we ask in return is that you commit to promoting the campaign by connecting with at least 50 women a year and signing up to one or more of the actions listed on the commitment sheet that you will receive when you register onto the WA programme.
Contact
To register your interest in the Women’s Ambassador programme contact the Agency’s Business Enquiry Team at www.nwda.co.uk/contactus/businesscontact.aspx or call 01925 400495
For general enquiries about the Girls! Make Your Mark campaign aimed at 18-30 year olds contact Alex or Amisha on 020 7497 4030 or email enquiries@girlsmakeyourmark.org