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A panel of expert speakers outlined the challenges and opportunities for Northern Ireland’s female entrepreneurs at an event in Belfast today to mark Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.

The event, in conjunction with the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, was hosted at the Ulster Bank headquarters in Donegal Square East and included student, entrepreneurs, early stage businesses and community representatives from across Northern Ireland. Speakers included Lord Alderdice (CDPB Chairman), Cathy Martin (WED Ambassador for Ireland and founder of CMPR) and Brenda McLaughlin CBE (NI Trustee on the National Board of NSPCC)

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), the world’s largest entrepreneurial and financial empowerment initiative, recently appointed country ambassadors to oversee and coordinate activities in over 144 countries worldwide, supporting, empowering, and celebrating women entrepreneurs on every continent. 51% of the UK population is female, yet just over 20% of SME are majority female led. If women started businesses at the same rate as men, there would be an 150,000 extra start-ups each year in the UK

Speaking at the event, Karen Lawther, Chair of Focused Women, Ulster Bank’s internal network  to support women in business, said: “Supporting female entrepreneurship is core to what we do as a bank, and is an important part of building a dynamic economy and business culture. We take pride in supporting initiatives like this which offer people the chance to learn, connect and gain confidence from some truly inspiring speakers.”

Addressing a Women’s Enterprise Day event at the Ulster Bank Headquarters in Belfast today, Lord Alderdice, Chairman of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, said:

“It is a sign that things are getting better that no-one finds it remarkable for us to have women as three of the four First Ministers in the United Kingdom, but we should take this as an encouragement of what is possible, rather than as a sign of achievement.  While in some areas of work life the particular contributions of women, and the proper regard for women as equal citizens is increasingly recognised, other areas of the economy still deny themselves the business advantage that women’s creativity brings to the top table. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day gives us a chance to remind ourselves and others of the exciting successes of women as entrepreneurs in social, economic and public life.”

TEDxStormont Women is back, taking place on Thursday 27 October from 6pm to 9pm at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Organised along the ‘It’s About Time’ theme and supported by Ulster Bank, the event will feature 14  leading thinkers, innovators, artists, politicians, philosophers and entertainers from the UK, Ireland and the United States representing such diverse fields as technology, entertainment, visual and performance art, design, politics, music and education, among others.

The event will be compered by former broadcaster Sarah Travers.

This will be the second time that TEDxStormont Women has taken place and due to popular demand will be in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Over 175 guests have signed up already with nearly 200 expected on the day.

Eva Grosman, Curator of TEDxStormont Women 2016 said:

“This is an event that provides a platform for women and women’s issues at the home of decision making in Northern Ireland.”

“Bringing TEDxStormont Women to the wonderful setting of Parliament Buildings is the perfect place to listen to the ideas and inspiration of the wealth of speakers participating this year”

“Through the power of our ideas we can overcome the challenges of the 21st century and TEDxStormont Women presents a wonderful opportunity for us to hear from some fantastic women from the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment and beyond as they share their ideas.”

“The event has been made possible with the support from our main sponsor Ulster Bank who has had the vision to support TEDxStormont Women.

Richard Donnan, Head of Northern Ireland at Ulster Bank, the lead sponsor of TEDxStormont Women 2016 said:

“We’re proud to support our local communities and TEDxStormont Women is an excellent way to do that – we have a strong history of supporting female entrepreneurship, and through initiatives like our Focused Women’s network, we provide a platform for women to share ideas and achieve success.

“This event provides people with the opportunity to hear from some truly innovative and insightful speakers and build on the energy and enthusiasm generated by the most recent event at the MAC.”

Speakers and Performers will include:

• Claire Sugden – MLA Northern Ireland Minister for Justice
• Niall Downey – Doctor, Surgeon, Airline Captain
• Eileen Mullan – Launched Strictly Boardroom, Chair of Age NI
• Kaja Choma – Fitness Trainer, Health Advocate and Personal Growth enthusiast
• Lindsey Robinson – Perinatal Mental Health advocate (Married to Gavin Robinson MP)
• Adele Doherty – Alzheimer’s Society, Regional Operations Manager
• Lady Portia Di’ Monte – Belfast socialite Drag Queen
• Carrie Montgomery – Deputy CEO, Contact NI
• Julia and Jean-Paul De Villiers – (Julia) Creator of the Julia Cameron lifestyle brand and (Jean Paul) Peak performance coach and best-selling author
• Joyce Ferder Rankin – Award Winning Photo Journalist, Off to Antarctica in 2017
• Nuala Davies – Actoress, Singer, Burlesque Dancer, Writer, Teacher
• Dorcas Crawford – Senior Partner at Edwards &Co Solicitors and launched #BelfastHour
• Amanda St John – Singer-Songwriter