Background to WiRE and the National Conference 2009
WiRE, based at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, has been offering business support to women in rural business since 1996, when research conducted by senior lecturer Izzy Warren-Smith identified that a significant number of farm diversifications were established by women. These female entrepreneurs were, however, coming up against a number of barriers, including lack of access to finance, lack of confidence, not being taken seriously, rural isolation, and lack of rural business support
WiRE is now a trusted national organisation, which helps rural women develop and grow their business and delivers a range of services in response to member feedback and the needs of women in rural business. WiRE lobby at national level to keep rural businesses on the political agenda and contribute regularly to national policy where advice is often sought by Government.
WiRE has Prowess flagship status for excellence in women's enterprise development.
WiRE encourages links with local and national government bodies and large companies in order to enhance the range of business services available to women in rural business.
The WiRE National Conference 2009, entitled ‘Thrive and Grow’, is an exciting and thought provoking mix of inspirational speakers, challenging seminars and informative workshops.
This conference offers women in rural businesses an opportunity to meet fellow business people, network, learn new skills and pick up new ideas and be inspired. Numbers at this year’s conference are expected to top 150.
Speakers include Kavita Oberoi, one of the UK's most successful female entrepreneurs. Kavita is the founder and Managing Director of an extremely successful IT and Business Healthcare Consultancy which she started from scratch in 2001. She is also one of the ‘secret millionaires’ on the TV programme for channel 4.
