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Mothers of Invention

Female entrepreneurs are doing it for themselves

Women-owned start-ups are on the rise. Findings from the latest London Annual Business Survey show that one in six businesses in London is now majority female-owned compared with one in ten three years ago - and they employ more women than their male counterparts.

The new generation of female entrepreneurs eager for advice and inspiration should make a date in their diaries for 'Mothers of Invention', taking place at the British Library on Wednesday 7 March 2007.

In celebration of International Women's Month, the British Library is bringing together four outstandingly successful businesswomen in fields as diverse as music, science, online travel and food. The panel comprises: Martha Lane Fox, the co-founder of lastminute.com; Kanya King, one of the most influential women in the music business and the creator of the MOBO awards; Nighat Awan OBE, the driving force behind the Shere Khan Group and Dr Gill Samuels one of the UK's most successful scientists and a key member of the team that developed Viagra. Panel members will share their own experiences and offer advice to would-be entrepreneurs who want to emulate their success.

The discussion will explore key topics such as:

  • What inspired you and how did you get your idea off the ground?
  • What opportunities and obstacles did you encounter along the way?
  • Where did you obtain your financial backing and business advice?
  • How did you manage to balance your work and home life?
  • If you had to start again, what if anything would you do differently?

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, said: "Sisters really are doing it for themselves. The expanding field of women entrepreneurs is one of the most exciting trends of recent years. We are delighted to welcome such a glittering panel of female business role models to speak at the British Library. We hope people attending the event will also take the opportunity to find out more about the Business & IP Centre's unrivalled range of free business resources, which can help them research, protect, develop and market their business ideas."

'Mothers of Invention' is the latest in the 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs' series, supported by HSBC, 'the world's local bank'.

Amanda Rendle, Head of Business Marketing, HSBC stated: "HSBC is proud to support the 'Mothers of Invention' panel and discussion at the British Library. The evening provides an excellent opportunity for established and prospective female entrepreneurs to learn from some of the UK 's foremost women in business. With 16 per cent of businesses in London now being mainly female-owned, HSBC is continuing its commitment to helping women in business grow and develop, turning their ambitions and aspirations into reality."

'Mothers of Invention' role model discussion panel runs from 6.30pm to 8.00pm on Wednesday 7 March 2007 at The British Library Conference Centre and is followed by a networking reception until 9.00pm. Tickets, priced £10 (£7.50 concessions), are limited to 255 and are available by phone +44 (0) 20 7412 7222, email boxoffice@bl.uk or in person at the Information Desk at The British Library.

For further press information please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)1937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk)

Notes to Editors

1. The British Library - is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently records almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month . The London Development Agency awarded the British Library's Business & IP Centre £1 million in May 2005 to help transform it from a successful pilot project into a permanent national resource. Access to the Centre is free. Users need a Reader's Pass, for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc

2. Four Mothers of Invention

Martha Lane Fox is one of Britain 's best-known entrepreneurs. She co-founded lastminute.com in 1998 with Brent Hoberman; floated the business in 2000; and remained on the board until the company was acquired by Sabre Holdings in 2005 for £577m. Today, while recovering from injuries sustained in a terrible car accident, Martha is a non-executive director of Channel 4 Television, a trustee of the charity Reprieve, patron of CAMFED and the Prisons Video Trust, and co-founder of Lucky Voice Private Karaoke.

Kanya King is an international entrepreneur and one of the most influential women in the music business. By creating the MOBO Awards in 1996, Kanya has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK. Eleven years on, the awards are broadcast in 57 countries and have raised huge sums for charity. Kanya has most recently hit the screens as one of the stars of ITV's Million Pound Giveaway.

Nighat Awan OBE is the driving force behind the Shere Khan Group, which comprises restaurants, food services and food products. Nighat has overcome formidable obstacles in her life and career; including near-fatal throat cancer and watching her parents lose everything, to become a highly successful serial entrepreneur. Her mantra in life and business: 'health is wealth'.

Dr Gill Samuels is one of the UK's most successful scientists. During her eminent career at Pfizer, she contributed to the discovery of several new medicines, most notably as a key member of the team that developed Viagra. As vice-president of the Association of Women in Science and Engineering, and working with the World Health Organization, she has been a leading voice in the promotion of women's careers in science.

Moderator

Matthew Rock is the founder-editor of Real Business, the UK's leading magazine for entrepreneurs. As one of the founders of Caspian Publishing, Matthew hosts major business awards ceremonies, such as the annual Real Business /CBI Growing Business Awards, and has contributed to the BBC, CNN, the FT and many media about the contribution of entrepreneurialism to the UK. He is also a regular compere at the Library's 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs' events.

3. The enhanced Business & IP Centre, launched last March, offers:

  • Impartial library information experts trained in the needs of SMEs and entrepreneurs to guide users to the full range of resources.
  • Workshops and clinics run by British Library and its business partners on subjects including: using intellectual property resources to check if ideas are novel, how to protect your ideas & designs, capitalising on market research resources, financing, marketing and selling skills, and pinpointing customers. Some of these workshops have a specific focus on supporting the needs of women, black and Asian minority ethnic groups, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
  • Business partners supporting the Business & IP Centre include Business Link for London, Business Plan Services, Camden Business Forum, Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Dynamic Asian Women's Network, Everywoman, ideas21, Innovation Central, Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, oneLondon, Own It, UK Patent Office.
  • A networking area for SMEs to meet and network with other SMEs, find out about the Library's full range of services and get inspiration from success stories about products and services conceived by other Centre users.
  • Wireless internet access (WiFi) so users can connect to the internet and access e-mail from the Centre by using the Library's own pay-as-you-go service.
  • Large-scale role model events - featuring successful entrepreneurs - to inspire, entertain and guide aspiring entrepreneurs on setting up and running a successful business and for SMEs to network. Previous examples include the sell-out 'Winners: the Rise and Rise of Black British Entrepreneurs', 'Desperately Seeking Finance', 'The Asian Advantage - Discover the Formula for Success', 'Hot Off the Press' and last November's 'Commerce With a Conscience' event.

Source: London Annual Business Survey 2005, Business Link for London & London Development Agency