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Female entrepreneur network holds inaugural meeting

Jun 27 2007

A new network of female entrepreneurs has been established to help those women looking to start their own business.

The Women's Enterprise Ambassadors Network was launched by industry minister Margaret Hodge four months ago, and since then some 1,000 experienced entrepreneurs have joined.

These ambassadors will undertake various tasks such as speaking at schools and universities, and will be able to influence women's enterprise policy and promote their own businesses.

They will act as role models for other women wishing to start up their own businesses, and will be supported by an induction and training package that is currently under development. Online facilities will also be provided that will allow the ambassadors to share their views.

Journalist Polly Toynbee and Ms Hodge hosted the group's first meeting on Monday (June 25th).

Ms Hodge comments: 'Encouraging greater levels of entrepreneurship amongst women is a priority. Men are twice as likely as women to set up their own business; we know it is particularly important for women to have somebody in whom the can confide and with whom they can discuss their problems.'

She adds that, if the UK had the same rate of entrepreneurship as the US, there would be 700,000 more businesses in Britain today.

The network is endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry.

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