Embracing Equity and Empowering Women in Business

York’s businesswomen have been invited to join City of York Council for the first of three events planned for 2023, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the city.

This event, Empowering and Inspiring Women in Business in York, will take place at York St. John University’s Creative Centre, Lord Mayor’s Walk, YO31 7EX, on Thursday 2 March from 10 am to 2 pm.

This year’s programme of events will build on last year’s successful York Business Festival event, which saw female entrepreneurs from across the city gather in the historic Guildhall to share ideas, advice, and learn about free business support available from the council and partner organisations like NatWest and Women Empowered Through Coaching and Networking (#WECAN).

The event will take place during the week of International Women’s Day, which this year is focused on the theme of #EmbraceEquity. Rebecca Biggins, Dean of York St. John University’s Business School, will open the event. Guests will then hear from a range of speakers from across York’s business community, and benefit from digital skills training workshops delivered by Google Digital Garage.

Sammie Jackson of Agrisound, a York-based agricultural technology company specialising in pollination management, will deliver the keynote address reflecting on her journey in ‘Tech, Bees and Business.’

The event will also feature two short digital skills workshops facilitated by Google’s Digital Garage:

• Build your Personal Brand Online
• Writing for Social Media

In addition to these workshops, businesses attending these sessions will be able to sign up to access FREE one-to-one online mentoring with Google Digital Experts to receive support tailored to their specific digital needs, from building a brand on YouTube, Google Search and Maps to exploring new ways to attract customers.

Business Coaching specialist Andrea Morrison will launch a further cohort of her successful Courageous Females course, which will take place in April. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF), this course will enable 20 York-based female business leaders to build their confidence and resilience whilst running their business and in the workplace.

Attendees will also learn about business support from NatWest and City of York Council, from Rachel Dixon, Local Enterprise Manager at NatWest, and Louise Saw, one of the council’s Business Growth Managers.

After hearing from the speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to network over a light lunch, making connections with like-minded individuals and building their networks.

Councillor Ashley Mason, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:

“It’s great to see this programme return this year, after a series of successful events in 2022. We’re delighted to be working alongside organisations like NatWest and Google as we work to support women in all sectors to grow their business and help them make use of the advice and support available.

“We’re proud to be launching another cohort of the Courageous Females course, which we hope will inspire women at all stages in their entrepreneurial journey and help them overcome obstacles they may encounter.

“We hope this event will be an informative and inspiring opportunity to make connections with like-minded business leaders and learn about the fantastic range of support on offer to help female-led businesses succeed. I’d encourage any women in York’s business sector, whether leading an established business or thinking of starting one, to attend.”

Sammie Jackson, Operations Manager at Agrisound, said:

“Juggling the varied and demanding responsibilities of a senior manager in a young and rapidly-growing business with family and childcare needs can be challenging at times. I know how important it is to have supportive networks and mentors, and events like this are invaluable in helping women in business find and develop these vital support systems. I’m really looking forward to speaking at the event, which promises to be a great opportunity to forge these valuable connections.”

To sign up to the event, click here.

To keep up-to-date with news of further events for women in business, along with all the latest updates from the council’s economic growth team, you can sign up to the council’s weekly business bulletin here.