Carol Daniels, Operations Director of the National Enterprise Network (NEN), recently attended two notable events that highlighted significant contributions to women’s enterprise and small business excellence.
The first event marked National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) on 17 to 21 June with a celebratory evening dedicated to recognising women’s contributions to the economy and the essential role of the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Network in supporting female entrepreneurs.
Women comprise over 60% of BIPC users, underscoring the network’s critical impact. The evening featured an inspiring panel chaired by NWEW founder and British Library BIPC Ambassador, Alison Cork MBE. Four exemplary female entrepreneurs from the BIPC community shared their journeys, showcasing the diverse and vibrant landscape of women-led enterprises across the nation.
Carol Daniels highlighted the importance of such events in empowering women and fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurship. She commented: “The stories and successes I heard during the event are a testament to the resilience and innovation of women entrepreneurs. It was great to be part of an event that reflected my own journey.”
The second event celebrated the winners of the 2024 Small Business Charter (SBC) Excellence Awards, marking the 10th anniversary of the Small Business Charter. The awards recognised three outstanding business schools for their initiatives in small business support, student enterprise, and stakeholder engagement: Cranfield School of Management, Dublin City University Business School, and Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University.
Jonathan Moules, a journalist from the Financial Times and Chair of Judges, said: “These awards show the transformational impact of Small Business Charter accredited business schools in empowering small businesses and student entrepreneurs. The vital role business schools play in fostering vibrant and dynamic local economies is clear from the award winners and the breadth of all the entries we received.”
Launched in 2014, the Small Business Charter accredits world-class business schools recognised for their excellence in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local economic development. With 67 accredited business schools across the UK and Ireland, the SBC network has been instrumental in delivering growth and productivity programmes funded by the government.
Both events helped NEN find more opportunities to represent, connect and promote enterprises.