WOMEN ENTERPRISE & PROCUREMENT

20 April 2010 House of Lords

Of the 100 delegates who registered for the event, more than 70 overcame travel problems caused by the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano ash cloud to attend the discussion. WiPP joined forces with international friends and associates from the United States and Europe to flesh out actions that could be taken in the UK to enable more women owned enterprises to succeed in the public procurement arena.

Keynote speaker, Jennifer Bisceglie, a Board member of WiPP (US) and President of InTEROS Solutions Inc, sent her presentation on a video clip, supported by a Powerpoint  which worked extremely well.  She then participated in the Q&A session for more than an hour over Skype internet video link.  It was surreal to be in the traditional setting of a House of Lords Committee room equipped with such outstanding technology.  (Grateful thanks to WeConnect Europe for the dongle!).

After much debate, everyone agreed that some sort of consortium of interested parties should be put together to take the issue forward.  The All Party Parliamentary Group on Entrepreneurship agreed to facilitate this and will meet throughout the year to press for appropriate legislative change.  Any women interested in joining the consortium should contact pinkshoeclub@btinternet.com

In addition, the consortium will explore ways to educate both public providers and women entrepreneurs about procurement.  It is seeking sponsorship for a training roadshow.  Potential sponsors should contact liz.stclair@womeninpublicpolicy.org

See Jennifer’s video here

View Jennifer’s powerpoint here