Press Release - 13 November 2007

Women who mean business get new chance to network

The organisers of the annual Yorkshire International Business Convention (YIBC) are launching an event for women which thy hope will become a key date in the region’s business calendar.

The inaugural Yorkshire Women in Business Convention is expected to attract up to 500 people when it takes places next spring.

Heavyweight speakers if the calibre of former guests Sir Bob Geldof and former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior have been promised, although no names have been confirmed.

Mike Firth, chief executive of Normanton-based Regional Yorkshire International Business Convention, which runs the established YIBC, said the new conference would act as a major networking event for women and would allow issues which affect women in the workplace to be debated.

Mr Firth, who said he was in discussions with a number of male and female celebrities to speak at the event, said: "More than a million women are employed in the Yorkshire region; over 45% of the workforce. Although to some extent their issues and concerns mirror those of male workers, there’s no doubt certain important matters are high on the agenda of women in particular, and the event will reflect these."

He said topics could include the "glass ceiling" which prevents women rising above their male counterparts, the need for further flexible working arrangements and hurdles facing women starting their own businesses.

He said: "I realise many successful women don't want to be treated differently from men and understand why they hold that view. But opportunities for women in business to discuss their unique issues and develop contacts with their peers remain generally limited."

Mr Firth, who said the established YIBC, was dominated by men, said there was a lack of networking opportunities despite the work of organisations such as Forward Ladies, the 3,000 strong Leeds-based networking body.

The new event, which will be held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, is being backed by Marketing Leeds, Forward Ladies and a number of successful individuals.

These include Linda Pollard, deputy chairman of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward; Judith Donovan, chairman of Yorkshire Tourist Board and Barbara Jackson, a senior banker with Coutts & Co.

Mr Firth said the new gathering would raise money for good causes. Its partner in 2008 will be Breast Cancer Haven.

Further details of the Yorkshire Woman in Business Convention can be obtained at www.ywibc.biz