Women into Business Programme Success Celebrated

The successful Women into Business programme, funded by Northern Ireland European Social Fund, Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) and Invest Northern Ireland, ended its seven year run at an awards ceremony in Belfast’s Grand Opera House. The programme, hosted by Women in Business Northern Ireland, has provided support and assistance to thousands of women from across the Province aspiring to start their own business and gain employment.

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Women into Business Programme Success Celebrated

Joining Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive of Women in Business NI, in celebrating the success of the programme at the lunchtime event were Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry said: “Diversity and inclusion is an important issue in the world of business, not least gender diversity, and my Department is proud to support the work of Women in Business NI in their drive to retain and develop female talent.

“Inspiring women is crucial if we are to maximise their potential and avoid depriving the economy of this enormous pool of talent. These awards are an excellent way to showcase individual enterprise and give recognition for their efforts and success.”

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “We have a rich seam of hard working women making a major contribution to the fabric of Northern Ireland life. I would like to commend the award winners today for the inspiring example they set.

“However there is a wealth of untapped talent which, for a variety of reasons, remains undeveloped. It is important that we look at the ways that we can share our collective experience and provide strong confident voices so that women are empowered to become the next business leaders, politicians and play their part in wider society. It is in this way that the talents of all our people will feed into our economy and grow it to the next level.”

The ceremony recognised women for starting their own business, innovation, growth potential, outstanding progress and one lady was awarded outstanding participant.

Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive, Women in Business NI, said: “It’s a bittersweet day as although we celebrate the achievements of the women who have had great success through the Women into Business programme. We’re bidding farewell to the Women into Business programme today but excited to be launching a new Connect programme to continue supporting women into employment and business start up.

“Our winners today represent the very ethos of what the programme was about and we are grateful that we have been enabled to provide thousands of women with the support required in their quest to gain employment, start a business and ultimately grow.”

The ceremony was hosted by television presenter Sarah Clarke and was attended by 80 business women who heard Mary Keightley of Mind Associates speak on ‘Why Optimism Wins’. Women into Business aimed to provide support through a range of measures including events, role model speakers, an interactive website, facilitated networking, newsletters and ezines.

Tuesday 31 March 2015