- First ever trade mission by the Women's International Networking Programme to Indianapolis and Chicago, has concluded on International Women's Day.
- Female leaders from the Northern Powerhouse met with businesses to pitch their innovative products opening the doors to brand new markets.
- Department for Business and Trade is training a new generation of exporters to build on £104 billion Northern export success and create high paying jobs for the region.
A dozen women from the North's most innovative businesses have conducted their first ever international trade mission to trigger American demand for their products and services, generating economic growth in the region.
Meeting eager stakeholders in the US cities of Indianapolis and Chicago between 4 and 8 March as part of the Women's International Networking (WIN) Programme, this trip was an opportunity for them to pitch their products to US partners, foster new relationships and unlock the immense possibilities available to businesses in both countries for growth and product innovation.
They attended events with regional commerce directors and held networking receptions with businesses in the tech and retail sectors, both industries who are certain to benefit from the expertise of our WIN Programme cohort.
12 of the 50 businesses in the scheme embarked on this week's 5-day trade mission and represented a diverse group of the North's most creative industries, from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to marketing and life sciences.
The WIN Programme, which launched in November 2023, is a new Department for Business and Trade (DBT) initiative designed to modernise trade in the UK and accelerate economic growth across the country.
Launched as a trial in the North of England, it aims to increase the participation of women-owned and women-led businesses in international trade by providing a collaborative and supportive environment for business owners.
The North of England was the perfect place to launch the programme, accounting for nearly 20% of the total UK GDP for 2021 (£430 billion). It also exported over £104 billion worth of goods and services, making it the ideal place to build a network of exporters who can share their expertise with other seeking to expand beyond the UK.
The inaugural cohort consisted of 50 women-led businesses from across the North of England, taking part in a variety of capability building webinars, networking events and support activities to build confidence and skills. This covered a range of topics from accessing funding and investment, to perfecting a 60-second pitch and closing the influence gap.
Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:
"These brilliant women business leaders are an inspiration to others on International Women's Day and have rightfully earned the opportunity to take their businesses across the pond and establish a network of customers in the US.
"Exporting is hugely rewarding and with schemes like the Women's International Networking programme we are putting businesses in control and helping them help us to deliver £1 trillion in exports by 2030."
One of the businesses seizing this first of its kind opportunity is Jane Fisher Associates, a management consultancy firm based in Hexham, Northumberland. After developing Adventurous Leadership, she joined the WIN Programme to build her confidence and to learn new techniques to promote her business and pitch to new clients.
Jane Fisher, Founder and Director of Jane Fisher Associates, said:
"The WIN programme has been a breath of fresh air! It has been an inspirational programme, with thought provoking online workshops and a community of totally supportive ladies - the fantastic group of aspirational business owners and the Business & Trade team.
"The programme has given me the opportunity to develop both my knowledge and skills, as well as boost my confidence to help take my Consultancy business, with its Adventurous Leadership programme, to the next level by widening my market. And I can't wait to make things happen."
Another Northern Powerhouse company attending this trade mission will be Magnitude Biosciences, supporting the development of life science projects in the UK through their world-leading expertise and proprietary WormGazerTM technology offering offer key insights to researchers.
They are led by Dr Forzia Saleem, who as one of a handful of female CEOs in the Northeast signed up to WIN to grow the business beyond the UK. Now, with new skills, Dr Saleem has set out to prove that Magnitude has what it takes to become a global enterprise.
Dr Fozia Saleem, CEO of Magnitude Biosciences, said:
"I joined the programme to connect with like-minded businesswomen who are in the early phases of growing their start-up business, the opportunity to join a global network of female leaders was very inspiring.
"The Department for Business and Trade team have set up some great training sessions and have been very responsive with all queries and questions. I've met a group of like-minded female entrepreneurs who are navigating the male-dominated business world.
"I'm excited about the trade mission, although not sector specific, it will give me an insight into networks and ways of working that will inform my business strategy and growth targets."
Over next 12 months, the WIN Programme aims to expand across England, establishing a national brand to deliver a programme of events and trade missions to local communities.
Background:
- WIN hopes to form an important part of the government's Race to a Trillion - the aim to reach £1 trillion in exports by 2030 - through working with an existing catalogue of female focussed business support organisations and becoming a central part of the local community and networks.
- Going forward it will also plan dedicated trade missions and bespoke, capability building events and workshops to introduce female founders to the right markets and partners that can help kickstart their international expansion.
