Women’s enterprise centre welcomes High Sheriff
Merseyside High Sheriff Professor Helen Carty has described a new state of the art £5.5m women’s enterprise centre as ‘inspirational.’
Dr Carty made the comment during a tour of The Women’s International Centre for Economic Development (WICED) in Liverpool to see how the centre is helping budding female entrepreneurs to set up and grow their businesses.
The centre, situated in the Baltic Triangle area of the city, provides a range of services focused on women’s start-up businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises. Its ‘incubation’ units are already proving popular with several new and high growth women enterprises that are now based within them. WICED also houses an international research and knowledge centre focused on women’s enterprise and wider economic development issues.
Dr Carty, who also holds the post of Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, said: “This new building symbolises the quality of confidence that exists within The Women’s Organisation and its design is truly inspirational.
“It is from small beginnings that big businesses grow and this facility will help to encourage many female entrepreneurs. I believe it will prove particularly valuable to those women with a belief in their abilities but their backgrounds are such that they may not have been supported or encouraged in their endeavours.”
Dr Carty, a leading light in paediatric radiography before retirement, was appointed High Sheriff of Merseyside in April this year and holds the post for one year. It is an independent, non-political Royal appointment that enables the holder to bring together a wide variety of individuals for the good of the community.
Maggie O’Carroll, Chief Executive of The Women’s Organisation (formerly Train 2000), said: “Our centre is a beacon to women’s enterprise and we were thrilled to welcome Professor Carty as we’re very proud of it.
“Our success lies in the real, positive impact we have on women’s lives, whether we’re nurturing new businesses, driving improvements in legislation and power structures or helping to increase social awareness. Our centre is proving popular with businesswomen from across the region and we’re looking forward to working with lots more women to help them realise their full potential.”
WICED has been developed by the Women’s Organisation following a £2.4m investment from the European Regional Development Fund programme, part of a £5.2m loan finance package. It came after the North West Development Agency identified women’s enterprise as a priority.
To find out more about the free services available from The Women’s Organisation, including advice and support on starting a business, call 0151 706 8111. Grants worth up to £200 may be available.
Alternatively please email info@thewo.org.uk or visit www.thewomensorganisation.org.uk
[Image: Caption: Maggie O’Carroll is pictured (left) with High Sheriff Dr Helen Carty]
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