‘QUEEN of Shops’ Mary Portas, one of the UK’s leading voices on retail and brand communication, will be the headline speaker at Women in Business NI's inaugural all-island female entrepreneurs conference next month.
More than 1,000 attendees are due to tune in to the two-day virtual conference, broadcast live from Belfast and Dublin on Thursday and Friday June 10 & 11, beginning at 9.30am.
Hosted by Sarah Travers and Norah Casey, the conference offers motivational panel discussions on ambition and mindset, and insights into how changing consumer behaviours will develop in the post-pandemic world.
Portas, known for her retail and business-related television shows such as Mary Queen of Shops, said: “I’m passionate about encouraging women to become entrepreneurs and increasing the number of women-led start-ups, and I'm thrilled to be speaking at this conference.
“I look forward to sharing my experience and advice with the audience and answer any questions people wish to ask me about my career.”
It has been estimated that £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men (Ireland had the highest gender gap in self-employment in the EU prior to Covid-19).
The interactive conference aims to recognise and address these difficulties, breaking down barriers for female entrepreneurs to achieve their aspirations and unlock the potential that exists within the economy for them.
Women in Business chief executive Roseann Kelly said: “Across the two-day event, we will profile rising entrepreneurs from all over Ireland and learn from female trailblazers who have helped crack the glass ceiling.
“There's no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise and together we will put female-founded businesses across the island on the map. Join us at the event to accelerate your growth and challenge your mind on all things business.”
Topics due to be discussed at the event include increasing the funding directed towards female entrepreneurs; what support can facilitate ambition and growth; making entrepreneurship more accessible for women; and increasing support locally through accessible mentors and networks.
The conference is being sponsored by the Yes You Can female enterprise support programme. Six regional winners will pitch on the Friday and the winner as voted by the audience will receive an additional £2,000 for their business idea at the event.
Associate sponsors include InterTradeIreland, Planet Woman, Tughans and British Business Bank.
