Huge WIN as Women's International Networking Programme completes 1st ever US trade mission

A dozen women from the North's most innovative businesses have conducted their 1st ever international trade mission to trigger American demand for their products and services, generating economic growth in the Region.

Meeting eager stakeholders in the US Cities of Indianapolis and Chicago, between:- 4 March and 8 March 2024, as part of the Women's International Networking (WIN) Programme, this trip was an opportunity for them to pitch their products to US partners, foster new relationships and unlock the immense possibilities available to businesses in both countries for growth and product innovation.

They attended events with Regional Commerce Directors and held networking receptions with businesses in the tech and retail sectors, both industries who are certain to benefit from the expertise of our WIN Programme cohort.

12 of the 50 businesses in the scheme embarked on this week's 5 day trade mission and represented a diverse group of the North's most creative industries, from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to marketing and life sciences.

The WIN Programme, which launched in November 2023, is a new Department for Business and Trade (DBT) initiative designed to modernise trade in the UK and accelerate economic growth across the country.

Launched as a trial in the North of England, it aims to increase the participation of women-owned and women-led businesses in international trade by providing a collaborative and supportive environment for business owners.

The North of England was the perfect place to launch the programme, accounting for nearly 20% of the total UK GDP for 2021 (�430 billion). It also exported over �104 billion worth of goods and services, making it the ideal place to build a network of exporters who can share their expertise with other seeking to expand beyond the UK.

The inaugural cohort consisted of 50 women led businesses from across the North of England, taking part in a variety of capability building webinars, networking events and support activities to build confidence and skills. This covered a range of topics from accessing funding and investment, to perfecting a 60 second pitch and closing the influence gap.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:- "These brilliant women business leaders are an inspiration to others on International Women's Day and have rightfully earned the opportunity to take their businesses across the pond and establish a network of customers in the US. Exporting is hugely rewarding and with schemes like the Women's International Networking programme we are putting businesses in control and helping them help us to deliver �1 trillion in exports by 2030."

1 of the businesses seizing this 1st of its kind opportunity is Jane Fisher Associates, a management consultancy firm based in:- Hexham, Northumberland. After developing Adventurous Leadership (which aims to...) she joined the WIN Programme to build her confidence and to learn new techniques to promote her business and pitch to new clients.

Jane Fisher, Founder and Director of Jane Fisher Associates, said:- "The WIN programme has been a breath of fresh air! It has been an inspirational programme, with thought provoking online workshops and a community of totally supportive ladies - the fantastic group of aspirational business owners and the Business and Trade team. The programme has given me the opportunity to develop both my knowledge and skills, as well as boost my confidence to help take my Consultancy business, with its Adventurous Leadership programme, to the next level by widening my market. And I can't wait to make things happen."

Another Northern Powerhouse company attending this trade mission will be Magnitude Biosciences, supporting the development of life science projects in the UK through their world leading expertise and proprietary WormGazerTM technology offering offer key insights to researchers.

They are led by Dr Forzia Saleem, who as one of a handful of female CEOs in the Northeast signed up to WIN to grow the business beyond the UK. Now, with new skills, Dr Saleem has set out to prove that Magnitude has what it takes to become a global enterprise.

Dr Fozia Saleem, CEO of Magnitude Biosciences, said:- "I joined the programme to connect with like-minded businesswomen who are in the early phases of growing their start-up business, the opportunity to join a global network of female leaders was very inspiring. The Department for Business and Trade team have set up some great training sessions and have been very responsive with all queries and questions. I've met a group of like-minded female entrepreneurs who are navigating the male-dominated business world. I'm excited about the trade mission, although not sector specific, it will give me an insight into networks and ways of working that will inform my business strategy and growth targets."

Over next 12 months, the WIN Programme aims to expand across England, establishing a national brand to deliver a programme of events and trade missions to local communities.

Plans progress to build world's largest tidal scheme on the banks of the River Mersey

ADVANCED proposals to build the world's largest tidal scheme on the banks of the River Mersey have been unveiled by the Liverpool City Region's Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Mayor Rotheram has revealed that the City Region will pursue a barrage between:- the Wirral and Liverpool as the preferred option for the City Region's flagship Mersey Tidal Power project.

The barrage scheme; the:- "1st of a kind" in the UK; which could generate clean, predictable energy for 120 years and create thousands of jobs in its construction and operation.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "The River Mersey has been the lifeblood of our Region's fortunes for centuries; and it has an even more vital role to play in our future. Where our area was once a leader in the 1st Industrial Revolution, we now have an opportunity to seize our chance to become a leader in the Green Industrial Revolution. Mersey Tidal Power has the potential to generate clean, predictable energy for 120 years, create thousands of green jobs and apprenticeships - and all but seal our area's status as Britain's Renewable Energy Coast. Beyond the banks of the River Mersey, this is a national infrastructure asset that could position the UK as a global leader in the renewables race and help to turbocharge our net zero ambitions. We are under no illusions, we know there are still significant technical and financial challenges to overcome, but the plans we've unveiled today mark a huge step on our journey to bringing Mersey Tidal Power to life. Quite simply, the case for tidal has never been clearer; both for our economy and our planet."

The announcement comes as the multi billion pound scheme moves towards the formal planning consent process.

It opens the possibility of a 1st ever cycling and pedestrian route over the river between:- Liverpool and Wirral and could also provide a defence against future flooding risks associated with climate change.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be asked at its March meeting, on:- 15 March 2024, to approve the submission of a scoping opinion to the Planning Inspectorate later this year for the world's largest tidal power scheme.

Over the last 3 years, the authority has undertaken early technical work to develop the potential scope of the scheme, which could be up and running within a decade, playing a huge role in the Region's push to be net zero carbon by 2040; at least a decade ahead of national targets.

Mersey Tidal Power is a key part of a push for tidal range projects across the UK, focused on the west coast. Tidal range technology can make use of the UK's abundant natural resources to create greater domestic energy security, complementing offshore wind, hydrogen and solar power.

Councillor David Baines, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Net-Zero and Air Quality, said:- "Existing strengths in wind and solar power and emerging strengths in hydrogen mean that our City Region is already leading the way in developing a cleaner and greener economy. Harnessing the power of the River Mersey to generate green and predictable energy for the next 100 years and more would be an incredible addition to our clean energy mix. We need to ensure we are extremely aware of our sensitive local ecology but just reaching this stage in the Mersey Tidal Power project has taken a huge amount of hard work allied with vision and would be a big step towards it becoming a reality."

If agreed, prior to the scoping opinion being submitted the Combined Authority would carry out a period of engagement, Regionally and nationally, with stakeholders. Once the scoping opinion is received, the CA would hold formal consultations across communities and stakeholder groups.

The scoping opinion will be based on the creation of a barrage across the river.

The report to the Combined Authority notes that a barrage option would be less expensive than a lagoon, requiring less material and lower levels of Government support. It would offer numerous other advantages, including:- the possibility of a pedestrian and cycle link between:- Liverpool and Wirral. A barrage could also help manage long-term environment issues related to climate change, including:- managing the effects of sea level rise on the Mersey.

Submitting a scoping opinion is the 1st step towards preparing a Development Control Order (DCO) submission; a process which typically takes two to three years. The scoping opinion submission describes the project and asks the Planning Inspector to advise on the scope and breadth of surveys needed to complete the documents outlining the environmental impact of the scheme.

The Mersey Tidal Power project would be the largest tidal range scheme in the world, using tried and tested technology for the 1st time in the UK. The multi billion pound project would potentially create thousands of local jobs, bringing economic and resilience benefits to the Liverpool City Region, in an asset that could operate for more than 120 years.

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Huge WIN as Women's International Networking Programme completes 1st ever US trade mission

Plans progress to build world's largest tidal scheme on the banks of the River Mersey