Networking event had big impact for business women

A NETWORKING event which brought women in business from across the East Riding together during Global Entrepreneurship Week has received a High Impact Award from Youth Business International.

Hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and members of the Bridlington and The Wolds Women in Business Group and Women in Enterprise and Business (WEB), the event at The Bell Hotel in Driffield has attracted the top accolade from Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economy, investment and inequalities at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "This accolade is most welcome and having attended the event myself I am delighted that this award helps emphasise just how successful the event was and the valuable contribution it made.

"With more than 12,500 micro-businesses and SMEs in the East Riding, the council is committed to offering practical support and advice to those with an entrepreneurial spirit so they can take the first steps in setting up their own business or grow.

"The event was a great opportunity for prospective women entrepreneurs to find out more about self-employment and starting a business and was attended by dozens of individuals representing a diverse range of sectors.

"The council is already looking forward to Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015."

Christine Grady, business adviser for the council, said: "The event was extremely successful and all attendees thoroughly enjoyed the evening and found it very worthwhile.

"There were around 46 people in attendance and through the event we have had enquiries from ladies we had not previously engaged with in the past, to join our Women in Business group as from January." The council will now seek to host a similar event again in spring 2015.