International Women’s Day is a chance for us to recognise that Buckinghamshire has a higher share of high growth businesses led by women than anywhere else in the country.

The economic and social value of encouraging more women to start a business is staggering, according to research by Facebook. If just one-fifth of women who wanted to start a business did so, it could add an extra £10.1 billion to the UK economy, build 340,000 new businesses and create 425,000 jobs by the end of 2020.

Given this, it’s worth noting that just one-fifth of small businesses in the UK are run by women. Buckinghamshire, as usual, is playing its part and Sherry Coutu CBE has identified that Buckinghamshire has a higher share of high growth businesses led by women than any other Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area.

What's more, with 23 women-led businesses operating in Buckinghamshire with a turnover of more than £1million, Buckinghamshire also has a good proportion of high turnover businesses led by women.

Read this report from Founders4Schools for more information on women in business >

See the detail behind the numbers of women-led businesses in Buckinghamshire >

Support for women entrepreneurs

So, take a look at the below events, campaigns and award shows that all represent opportunities for women to advance themselves in the pursuit of their entreprenuerial ambitions.

First Steps into Digital – Saunderton, March 10th

Over 60% of businesses with 5 employees or less are not digitally engaged, but even a business that struggles to find the time for digital can benefit from using just a bit here and there.

This ‘First Steps into Digital’ event welcomes Michelle Ovens MBE as guest speaker. Michelle is a small business enterprise specialist and is Director of Do It Digital, the campaign promoting digital engagement among small businesses.

Find out more information and book your place >

Focus on Digital Marketing – Great Missenden, March 23rd

This workshop will present an effective 8-stage process to making digital marketing work harder for your business. 

This process, developed by speaker Jayne Reddyhoff from Zanzi Digital will look in detail at the 8 key steps and how you can implement them in your business to find the right digital approach for you.

Find out more information and book your place >

Business Leaders’ Dinner – with Jacqueline de Rojas

Join the best and brightest of the Buckinghamshire business community at the next Business Leaders’ Dinner at Bisham Abbey on Thursday 23rd March.

The guest speaker is Jacqueline de Rojas,  Managing Director of Sage UK & Ireland - N Europe and President of TechUK.

Find out more information and book your place >

Thames Valley Women in Business event – Cookham, March 13th

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Thames Valley Women in Business have invited the inspirational Angela Spang of JUNE MEDICAL to speak about her business journey and offer her advice for those treading the same path.

This free event, organised by Amodeo Web Design, takes place in Cookham on Monday March 13th.

Find out more information and book your place >

Women in Business Awards

Now in its 4th year, the Women in Business (WiB) Awards have grown into more than just an awards night, it has become a campaign that celebrates organisations and individuals across all sectors of business who have excelled in their specific business, profession or organisation.

Categories:

• Rising Star
• Champion of Change
• Enlightened Employer Award 
• Woman Business Owner of the Year
• Board Level & Senior Executive of the Year
• Career-break Returner of the Year
• Spotlight on Women in STEM

WiB Award launch night

Learn more about the awards at this panel discussion with winners of the 2016 WiB Awards. The event takes place on Friday 31st March in Windsor.

Find out more and book your place >

#SheMeansBusiness – Facebook campaign to train & support women in business

Facebook, alongside partners including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) have launched She Means Business, an initiative giving women training and support to start up a business.

There is a dedicated online hub – shemeansbusiness.fb.com – full of tools, inspiration and online learning sessions. There is a specific resources page to take advantage of too.

Get involved on Twitter too with the hashtag #shemeansbusiness.