Women business leaders to help shape Dorset’s economy

Women business leaders came together to share their ideas on how they can help shape Dorset’s economy.

At the event organised by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the women spoke about the positives of the area and shared ideas about how things could be improved further.

From pop-up stores and cultural events to talent attraction and retention, the women - who represented industries as diverse as engineering and arts and culture expressed their ideas for Dorset’s business future.

Dorset LEP hosted the ‘round table’ event to ensure women’s voices were heard.

Deputy Chair of Dorset LEP, Sara Uzzell, told attendees at the event why she feels it is important that business women like her get involved in influencing policy decision makers.

“Being a member of Dorset LEP has led to personal development, opened up networking opportunities in Dorset and has helped me to better understand the companies and sectors in our county,” she said.

“Government is closer than you think and it has money to invest in Dorset – money that can and does make a difference.

“Policy makers have to, and they want to, listen to businesses.”

Dorset LEP is a business-led private and public sector partnership that aims to promote local economic growth and prosperity across the region.

It wants to work with as broad and diverse a group of talented business leaders as possible.

The aim of the women leaders’ event was to share and discuss ideas about how Dorset LEP can support opportunities for women to engage in vital strategic decisions that affect the local economy.

Emma Glazier of global marketing agency Crowd, attended the event and said:“This is a great place to live but it’s also a great area to advance and expand your career.”

While Sophia Taglialavore of award-winning creative agency Salad added: “Lots of people are tired of London.

“To encourage people to consider moving their business to Dorset we have to look at where people can live and the rates for people looking to set up their own businesses.”

Suzie Tideswell of AGI Holdings highlighted the strength of engineering in Dorset and suggested creating a hub of excellence.

Dorset LEP’s director, Lorna Carver, said: “It was wonderful to share a room with successful businesswomen who are all energised and bursting with fresh ideas on how to transform Dorset.

“We want women at the forefront to help us reach our ultimate objective, which is to double the size of Dorset’s economy over the next 20 years.

“We are very ambitious about increasing productivity and growth. To reach our goal of contributing a further £17 billion and 80,000 jobs to the UK economy it is essential we have business leaders on board.”

Dorset LEP, which is leading a £240 million investment programme to boost local economic growth, is driven strategically by a Board of leaders from the private and public sector.

The aim of the Board is to provide strategic oversight of Dorset’s economy and make decisions and direct actions that will help Dorset’s economy innovate and grow. 

Dorset LEP is currently looking to expand its board.  If you have private sector experience and strong partnership skills and would like to support the LEP in growing the local economy please consider applying for the position. Further details can be found here.