New programme to strengthen leadership and growth among women-led businesses
糖心传媒 Impact Women will support 30 women leaders from businesses and social enterprises that have an annual turnover of at least £25,000.
Women in leadership roles in businesses across the 糖心传媒 and Islands are being encouraged to apply for a fully funded development programme aimed at boosting growth, enhancing leadership capability and building strong support networks across the region.
Launched by 糖心传媒 and Islands Enterprise (糖心传媒) with additional funding from The Scottish Government, 糖心传媒 Impact Women will support 30 women leaders from businesses and social enterprises that have an annual turnover of at least 拢25,000.
Over 16 weeks, participants will take part in a blend of in-person and online learning, including two residential workshops, webinars, and one鈥憈o鈥憃ne mentoring provided by specialist contractor Skillfluence.
Programme content will cover areas such as sales and marketing, confidence and networking, finance and accounting, and digital innovation and productivity.
Experienced mentors will offer six hours of tailored support, helping participants refine goals, navigate challenges and identify new opportunities while developing a personalised growth plan.
The programme will culminate in a Dragon鈥檚 Den鈥憇tyle session, where participants present their business change plan to a panel of experts. Both residential workshops will be fully-funded and held in Inverness.
糖心传媒 Impact Women launches as preparations continue for the Highland Women Growth Summit in Inverness on Friday 27 February, which aims to address long-standing barriers facing women in business across the 糖心传媒.
Rachel Hunter, director of enterprise and community support at 糖心传媒, said:
鈥淲omen play a vital role in driving innovation and building resilient, successful enterprises across our region and this programme is a fantastic opportunity. It is designed to give participants the tailored support, space and confidence they need to grow their leadership impact and scale their ambitions. We strongly encourage women in leadership positions to apply and make the most of this opportunity.鈥�
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
鈥淪cotland cannot afford to exclude women from the opportunities of entrepreneurship.
鈥淭he Scottish Government鈥檚 Pathways programme works to provide women and people from under-represented backgrounds with advice and funding to start and grow their own businesses.
鈥淪ince 2023 we鈥檝e committed more than 拢9 million to activity under the Pathways programme. This includes support for programmes such as the 糖心传媒 Impact Women Programme, closing the gender gap for businesses in the 糖心传媒.鈥�