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Women in Enterprise

Women of Lancashire; let’s grow!

The Boost Women in Enterprise Hub showcases the latest support and groups available to Lancashire women in business, and inspirational female business stories.

This hub was developed in response to findings outlined in the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report, commissioned by Boost, which analysed barriers to women growing businesses in Lancashire and made a number of recommendations, including greater business support for female business leaders.

Download the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report here

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Read stories of inspirational Lancashire women

Female focused business support

Female founder

Barclays Female Founder Accelerator Programme

Supporting female founders beyond idea stage poised for growth - Applications now open
Barcley women services

Barclay's Investing in women services

Including Invest in Women Taskforce; Female Founders Forum & Female Founders First.
Begin courses for female entrprenuers

Begin

A free course for aspiring female entrepreneurs
Biz Women

Biz Women

Latest news, events and offers in the business world
GrowthCatalystFemaleLeaders

Boost Growth Catalyst programme for female leaders

An opportunity to embark on a creative journey of personal and business development
BuyWomenBuilt logo 2024

Buy Women Built

An online platform for female entrepreneurs to showcase their products
CMI

CMI

Qualifying body with female network
Enterprise Vision Awards_

Enterprise Vision Awards

The UK’s premier business awards
Federation of Small Business

Federation of Small Business

Not-for-profit organisation offering networking and talks
Female Founders Finance

Female Founder Finance

Tailored funding solutions for female entrepreneur
Fund her North

Fund Her North

Connecting women with investors
Access founded by her

KPMG Access: Founded by Her

For women leaders and founders looking to raise a Series A in the next 6-12 months.
Lancashire Women in Digital

Lancashire Women in Digital (#LWID)

Brining together women in Lancashire's digital sector
Northern Power Women Awards

Northern Power Women Awards

Help us spotlight and celebrate the incredible talent within your organisation
Pink Link Ladies

Pink Link Ladies

Networking and events for women in business
Academy for female leaders and managers

RISE: East Lancashire Chamber`s Academy for Female Leaders

An interactive programme for female business leaders and managers in Lancashire
Role

Role

Delivery partner for bespoke Boost Growth Catalyst programme for women
She Inspires Foundation

She Inspires Foundation

Entrepreneurship and Leadership support for women
The Growing Club

The Growing Club

Providing enterprise training and support
WealthiHer

The WealthiHer Network

Transforming women's financial futures
The Womens Organisation

The Women’s Organisation

For policy & research
Unique Ladies 2024

Unique Ladies

Franchised clubs for women in business
WeArePower 2024

We Are Power

Focused on gender equality and social mobility
WEgate

WEgate

Online platform helping to start and build a business
Women in Business Network

Women in Business Network

Connecting female business owners in Lancashire
Women in Innovation Uk awards 24 25

Women in Innovation Awards 2024/25

Launched to encourage more women to apply to Innovate UK funding opportunities.
ICAEW

Women in Leadership (WiL)

A leadership programme for women working across practice, industry and public sectors in senior management, partner or board roles.
Womens Business Network

Women’s Business Network Lancashire

Networking and social events in Lancashire
WIN 24

Women's International Networking Programme 2024

Increasing women owned/led international trade

Are you seeking to scale, grow or start your business?

Contact the Boost Helpdesk

Inspirational women stories

Two Zero client invests in new corporate gifting business and aims to double turnover The Lancashire Gift Company
15th October 2024
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News
Two Zero client invests in new corporate gifting business and aims to double turnover
A Lancashire business owner who has both taken part in and delivered Two Zero scaleup support programmes has become co-owner of a corporate gifting company and set her sights on doubling its size over the next two years.
Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards
2nd October 2024
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News
Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024
Five Lancashire businesswomen have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at this year's Enterprise Vision Awards (The EVAS) ceremony, the UK's largest awards dedicated to celebrating female entrepreneurs.
Two Zero’s Women Scaling Up programme creates over 50 jobs Women Scaling Up Outdoor Elements 2024
8th August 2024
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News
Two Zero’s Women Scaling Up programme creates over 50 jobs
Businesses who took part in two cohorts of Two Zero’s Women Scaling Up programme have since created a combined 56 jobs and increased turnover by a total of £14.1m, according to independent analysis.
PM+M partner praises female leadership support as firm expands Two Zero Women Scaling Up Ceri Dixon PM+M web
23rd July 2024
PM+M partner praises female leadership support as firm expands
A recently appointed partner at a North West-based chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group has commended the leadership guidance she has received through a Lancashire County Council-backed programme for female business leaders.
Top ten lifestyle hacks for women in business Ten hacks for businesswomen
7th March 2024
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Inspirational Women
Top ten lifestyle hacks for women in business
How often do you find yourself wishing for more hours in the day? Leading up to International Women’s Day on Friday March 8, we share some of Pink Link’s lifestyle hacks that we think could help Lancashire women in business.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jane Binnion, The Growing Club CIC BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_Jane Binnion_01
21st February 2024
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jane Binnion, The Growing Club CIC
Jane is the co-author of the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report – the inspiration behind the development of Boost's Women in Enterprise Hub. Jane shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Deborah Smith, Smith & Love Planning Consultants BOO_Inspirational_Women_Q&As_DebbieSmith
25th January 2024
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Deborah Smith, Smith & Love Planning Consultants
Preston-based Smith & Love Planning Consultants has the same expert knowledge as a national firm, with years of experience and countless contacts. We offer a personal service to local and national clients so we can stay close to our projects.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Cheryle Britton, YOLO Wellbeing Cheryle Britton
5th December 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Cheryle Britton, YOLO Wellbeing
Cheryle Britton, an experienced marketeer in consumer products, was inspired to set up her own business after returning from a family trip to Sri Lanka.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Dover, Harrison Drury Solicitors Laura Dover
15th November 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Dover, Harrison Drury Solicitors
Laura Dover is the operations director at Harrison Drury, an award-winning law firm with offices across the North West.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Tems, The Business Network Central & East Lancashire BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_KarenTems
6th September 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Tems, The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
Karen Tems is the founder and director of The Business Network Central & East Lancashire, a membership organisation. Having developed the networking group over the last 12 years, Karen is extremely proud of what the group has achieved. Here she shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Two Zero female scaleup support service begins second cohort Women Scaling Up 2 residential
2nd August 2023
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Inspirational Women
Two Zero female scaleup support service begins second cohort
Female business owners and decision makers from 14 leading businesses in Lancashire have joined forces to take part in a 12-month support programme backed by Lancashire County Council to help prepare their organisations for rapid growth.
The Growing Club increases employment and business skills training for women with National Lottery Funding growing club news july 2023
26th July 2023
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Inspirational Women
The Growing Club increases employment and business skills training for women with National Lottery Funding
Lancaster-based social enterprise The Growing Club, which has been providing employment skills training, business start-up and sustainable business growth programmes for women since 2016, has been awarded £260,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund to support their work over the next five years.
Lancashire women in business lead the way in finalists announced for 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards evas 2023
20th June 2023
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Inspirational Women
Lancashire women in business lead the way in finalists announced for 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards
Women in business in Lancashire are leading the way as 51 hopefuls are amongst the outstanding female entrepreneurs revealed as finalists at the 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS); the UK’s largest business awards dedicated solely to women.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Hesford, The Small Business Academy BOO_Inspirational_Women_Nikki Hesford
14th June 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Hesford, The Small Business Academy
Nikki Hesford operates The Small Business Academy based in Blackpool, which provides small and start-up businesses with the tools, knowledge and the skills they need to make their new business a success. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Elizabeth McQuillan, Flamingo Car Finance BOE7CE1
22nd May 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Elizabeth McQuillan, Flamingo Car Finance
Elizabeth McQuillan is the co-founder and managing director of Flamingo Car Finance, which acts as a broker to empower women with the knowledge they need when it comes to buying a car. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Business leaders invited to ‘transformative’ event to address barriers to women leading Lancashire companies Growing Women Growing Lancashire – A visioning event
11th May 2023
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Inspirational Women
Business leaders invited to ‘transformative’ event to address barriers to women leading Lancashire companies
Men and women from Lancashire’s business community are being invited to a visionary event which will assess the barriers to gender equity in enterprise and leadership across the county.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Michelle Parry, The Rewilding BOO_IW_QAs_Michelle_Parry_01 01
19th April 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Michelle Parry, The Rewilding
Michelle Parry is the founder of The Rewilding, located in the coastal countryside near Morecambe. From a farming family that values having a close connection with nature, Michelle shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Wendy Bowers, Role BOO_IW_QAs_Wendy_Bowers_01 01
16th March 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Wendy Bowers, Role
With extensive experience working with women in leadership and enterprise, Wendy shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jaydee Davis, Community & Business Partners CIC BO0A211
9th March 2023
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Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jaydee Davis, Community & Business Partners CIC
Jaydee Davis is operations director at Community & Business Partners CIC (CBP) delivering business support including mentoring, coaching, and training. As part of Boost’s celebration of International Women’s Day 2023, Jaydee shares the story of her career and advice for other women in leadership.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Whittle, Brabners BOO_IW_QAs_Nikki_Whittle_01
8th March 2023
 | 
Inspirational Women
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Whittle, Brabners
Nikki is a partner at law firm Brabners and is Brabners Lancashire’s head of corporate. As part of Boost's celebration of International Womens Day 2023, she shares the story of her career and advice for other women in leadership.
More Stories

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