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Women in Enterprise

Women of Lancashire; let’s grow!

The Boost Women in Enterprise Hub showcases the latest support and groups available to Lancashire women in business, and inspirational female business stories.

This hub was developed in response to findings outlined in the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report, commissioned by Boost, which analysed barriers to women growing businesses in Lancashire and made a number of recommendations, including greater business support for female business leaders.

Download the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report here

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Read stories of inspirational Lancashire women

Female focused business support

Female founder

Barclays Female Founder Accelerator Programme

Supporting female founders beyond idea stage poised for growth - Applications now open
Barcley women services

Barclay's Investing in women services

Including Invest in Women Taskforce; Female Founders Forum & Female Founders First.
Begin courses for female entrprenuers

Begin

A free course for aspiring female entrepreneurs
Biz Women

Biz Women

Latest news, events and offers in the business world
BuyWomenBuilt logo 2024

Buy Women Built

An online platform for female entrepreneurs to showcase their products
CMI

CMI

Qualifying body with female network
Enterprise Vision Awards_

Enterprise Vision Awards

The UK’s premier business awards
Federation of Small Business

Federation of Small Business

Supporting women's enterprise in the UK
Female Founders Finance

Female Founder Finance

Tailored funding solutions for female entrepreneur
Fund her North

Fund Her North

Connecting women with investors
ICAEW Women in Finance insight group

ICAEW North West: Women in Finance insight group

Offers ICAEW members the opportunity to grow their networks and more.
Access founded by her

KPMG Access: Founded by Her

For women leaders and founders looking to raise a Series A in the next 6-12 months.
Lancashire Women in Digital

Lancashire Women in Digital (#LWID)

Brining together women in Lancashire's digital sector
Pink Link Ladies

Pink Link Ladies

Networking and events for women in business
Academy for female leaders and managers

RISE: East Lancashire Chamber's Academy for Female Leaders

An interactive programme for female business leaders and managers in Lancashire
Role

Role

Delivering women in business and leadership programmes
She Inspires Foundation

She Inspires Foundation

Entrepreneurship and Leadership support for women
The Growing Club

The Growing Club

Providing enterprise training and support
WealthiHer

The WealthiHer Network

Transforming women's financial futures
The Womens Organisation

The Women’s Organisation

For policy & research
UNIQUE LADIES LOGO 2025

Unique Ladies

Networking and events for women in business
WeArePower 2024

We Are Power

Focused on gender equality and social mobility
WEgate

WEgate

Online platform helping to start and build a business
Women in Business Network

Women in Business Network

Connecting female business owners in Lancashire
Women in Innovation Uk awards 24 25

Women in Innovation Awards 2024/25

Launched to encourage more women to apply to Innovate UK funding opportunities.
ICAEW

Women in Leadership (WiL)

A leadership programme for women working across practice, industry and public sectors in senior management, partner or board roles.
Womens Business Network

Women’s Business Network Lancashire

Networking and social events in Lancashire

Are you seeking to scale, grow or start your business?

Contact the Boost Helpdesk

Inspirational women stories

Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Tems, The Business Network Central & East Lancashire BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_KarenTems
6th September 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Tems, The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
Karen Tems is the founder and director of The Business Network Central & East Lancashire, a membership organisation. Having developed the networking group over the last 12 years, Karen is extremely proud of what the group has achieved. Here she shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Rachel Weinhold, Grow Traffic Rachel Weinhold
25th February 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Rachel Weinhold, Grow Traffic
Rachel is a director and leader at a specialist search engine optimisation company, working with companies across Lancashire and Yorkshire. Rachel shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Suzy Orr, Unique Ladies Networking UK Suzy Orr
29th January 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Suzy Orr, Unique Ladies Networking UK
Suzy Orr is Chief Unique Lady at female-focused networking group, Unique Ladies. Suzy shares some tips and advice from her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Tamsin Coxhill, Firespiral Slings Tasmin Coxhill
19th January 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Tamsin Coxhill, Firespiral Slings
Firespiral Slings is an international manufacturer and retailer of woven wrap baby carriers, luxury blankets, throws and accessories. Owner and director, Tamsin Coxhill, shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Tricia Rawlinson, Whale Tail Cafe Tricia Rawlinson
9th January 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Tricia Rawlinson, Whale Tail Cafe
Whale Tail Café is a very popular restaurant, owned and run by Tricia Rawlinson for over 30 years. Tricia shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nicola Combe, Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates Nicoal Combe
29th April 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nicola Combe, Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates
Nicola retrained back in 2019 to set up Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates and provides Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Executor services to individual and families. Nicola shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Sandham-Smith, Laura Sandham School of Dance Laura Sandham Smith
29th March 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Sandham-Smith, Laura Sandham School of Dance
Laura owns and runs hugely successful dance studios in Lancaster and Preesall. Here she shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jackie Bennett Shaw, Marzipan PR Jackie Bennett Shaw QA
29th June 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jackie Bennett Shaw, Marzipan PR
Marzipan PR is a business communications and copywriting business, working with start-ups, small and large SMEs. Its founder and managing director, Jackie Bennett Shaw, shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Ullah, Daisy Communications Karn Ullah
29th May 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Karen Ullah, Daisy Communications
Karen is director of sales and customer retention at Daisy Communications, a UK leading provider of telephony, connectivity, mobile and cloud services. Here she shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Coral Horn, Pink Link Ladies Coral Horn
29th July 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Coral Horn, Pink Link Ladies
Pink Link Ladies runs a number of networking events and conferences, including the well-known Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs). Here, its founder and managing director, Coral Horn, shared her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Joanne Boyd, CJX Business Services Joanne_Boyd_QA
27th October 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Joanne Boyd, CJX Business Services
CJX Business Services is a consultancy firm working with SMEs in Lancashire and Cumbria and a Boost & Co member. Founder Joanne Boyd, who received support from Boost when establishing her business shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Dr Dunni, Druwa Academy BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_Dr_Dunni_01 01
15th November 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Dr Dunni, Druwa Academy
Dr Dunni is an award winning mum empowerment coach, family doctor and CEO of Druwa Academy. A global influencer and international speaker, Dr Dunni shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Kila Redfearn, Blue Skies Hospital Fund BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_KilaRedfearn_01
7th December 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Kila Redfearn, Blue Skies Hospital Fund
Kila Redfearn works for Blue Skies, a charity based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital that makes a positive difference every single day to patients, their families and friends. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Christina Melling, Stipendium BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_ChristinaMelling_01
12th December 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Christina Melling, Stipendium
Christina Melling is the co-founder of Stipendium and was recently listed in the Telegraph NatWest’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Ciará Moriarty, The Performance Studios BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_CiaraMoriarty_01 01
19th December 2022
Inspirational Women Q&A: Ciará Moriarty, The Performance Studios
Ciará Moriarty is the founder of The Performance Studios, a theatre school based in Lancaster at the Dukes Theatre. In September 2022, Ciará was awarded Creative Industry of the Year at the Enterprise Vision Awards. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Charlotte Knowles, Elektec BOO_IW_QAs_Charlotte_Knowles_01 01
4th January 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Charlotte Knowles, Elektec
Charlotte Knowles is the finance and business communications manager at Darwen-based Elektec, a multi-award winning business. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Joanna Hill, Sid Hill Transport Ltd BOF13A1
13th February 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Joanna Hill, Sid Hill Transport Ltd
Founded in 2020 by Joanna and Simon Hill, in just over two years the family business has grown into a successful transport service operating in both the UK and abroad. Joanna shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jannicke Ive, A Family’s Best Friend BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_Jannicke_Ive_01
11th January 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jannicke Ive, A Family’s Best Friend
Jannicke Ive is the founder and managing director of A Family’s Best Friend, a Lancashire-based domiciliary care provider for children and adults with disabilities. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jane Binnion, The Growing Club CIC BOO_Inspirational_Women_QAs_Jane Binnion_01
21st February 2024
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jane Binnion, The Growing Club CIC
Jane is the co-author of the Growing Women, Growing Lancashire report – the inspiration behind the development of Boost's Women in Enterprise Hub. Jane shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Liz Hardwick, DigiEnable Liz_Hardwick_QA 01
23rd February 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Liz Hardwick, DigiEnable
Liz Hardwick is a professional speaker, trainer and productivity specialist and co-founder of DigiEnable, a multi-award-winning training company with a focus on digital and productivity. She she shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Liz Hall, Liz Henson Photography BOO_IW_LIZ_HALL_QAs_01 01 scaled
7th March 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Liz Hall, Liz Henson Photography
Liz Hall is an award-winning commercial photographer, who enjoys 'shooting' businesses into the spotlight with story-telling photography.
Leading up to this year's International Women's Day on March 8, Liz shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Whittle, Brabners BOO_IW_QAs_Nikki_Whittle_01
8th March 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Whittle, Brabners
Nikki is a partner at law firm Brabners and is Brabners Lancashire’s head of corporate. As part of Boost's celebration of International Womens Day 2023, she shares the story of her career and advice for other women in leadership.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jaydee Davis, Community & Business Partners CIC BO0A211
9th March 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Jaydee Davis, Community & Business Partners CIC
Jaydee Davis is operations director at Community & Business Partners CIC (CBP) delivering business support including mentoring, coaching, and training. As part of Boost’s celebration of International Women’s Day 2023, Jaydee shares the story of her career and advice for other women in leadership.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Wendy Bowers, Role BOO_IW_QAs_Wendy_Bowers_01 01
16th March 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Wendy Bowers, Role
With extensive experience working with women in leadership and enterprise, Wendy shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Michelle Parry, The Rewilding BOO_IW_QAs_Michelle_Parry_01 01
19th April 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Michelle Parry, The Rewilding
Michelle Parry is the founder of The Rewilding, located in the coastal countryside near Morecambe. From a farming family that values having a close connection with nature, Michelle shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Elizabeth McQuillan, Flamingo Car Finance BOE7CE1
22nd May 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Elizabeth McQuillan, Flamingo Car Finance
Elizabeth McQuillan is the co-founder and managing director of Flamingo Car Finance, which acts as a broker to empower women with the knowledge they need when it comes to buying a car. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Hesford, The Small Business Academy BOO_Inspirational_Women_Nikki Hesford
14th June 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Nikki Hesford, The Small Business Academy
Nikki Hesford operates The Small Business Academy based in Blackpool, which provides small and start-up businesses with the tools, knowledge and the skills they need to make their new business a success. She shares her own inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Cheryle Britton, YOLO Wellbeing Cheryle Britton
5th December 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Cheryle Britton, YOLO Wellbeing
Cheryle Britton, an experienced marketeer in consumer products, was inspired to set up her own business after returning from a family trip to Sri Lanka.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Dover, Harrison Drury Solicitors Laura Dover
15th November 2023
Inspirational Women Q&A: Laura Dover, Harrison Drury Solicitors
Laura Dover is the operations director at Harrison Drury, an award-winning law firm with offices across the North West.
Inspirational Women Q&A: Deborah Smith, Smith & Love Planning Consultants BOO_Inspirational_Women_Q&As_DebbieSmith
25th January 2024
Inspirational Women Q&A: Deborah Smith, Smith & Love Planning Consultants
Preston-based Smith & Love Planning Consultants has the same expert knowledge as a national firm, with years of experience and countless contacts. We offer a personal service to local and national clients so we can stay close to our projects.

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