Karen Millen OBE and Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones CBE headline new national event bringing buyers, investors and founders together in Blackpool.
Women are building successful businesses across every sector, yet many still struggle to access the buyers, investors and commercial opportunities that help companies grow.
This October, hundreds of founders, buyers, investors and business leaders will gather in Blackpool for SheChain Live, a new national event designed to help change that. Taking place on Thursday 1 October at the Winter Gardens, the event will bring together the people behind purchasing decisions with the female entrepreneurs behind the UK’s next generation of businesses. It is followed on Friday 2 October by the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS), the UK’s largest celebration of women in business, creating a two-day programme focused on business growth, commercial opportunities and recognition. Hundreds of delegates have already secured their place, with organisers preparing for attendance that could exceed 500 by October. The event is attracting founders, retailers, procurement professionals, investors and business leaders from across the UK, further strengthening Blackpool’s growing reputation as a destination for enterprise, innovation and business events.
Although women lead around one in five UK businesses, they continue to receive a disproportionately small share of investment and remain underrepresented in supply chains and procurement opportunities. Government analysis suggests closing this gap could add more than £250 billion to the UK economy.
For many founders, the hardest part isn’t building a great business. It’s getting in front of the people who can help it grow.
From fashion brands and food businesses to health products, logistics, manufacturing and technology, SheChain Live will bring together women who have transformed ideas into thriving businesses, alongside organisations looking to discover innovative suppliers and future partners.
“Women don’t need fixing. The opportunities do,” said Coral Horn, founder of SheChain Live and the Enterprise Vision Awards. “There is no shortage of ambition, innovation or capability. The challenge has always been access – access to buyers, procurement teams, investors and decision-makers who can genuinely change the trajectory of a business. That’s exactly what we’ve created.”
Among the headline speakers are Karen Millen OBE, who built one of Britain’s best-known fashion brands from a £100 loan, and Emma Jones CBE, the UK’s Small Business Commissioner, who will discuss the challenges facing SMEs, business growth and creating a fairer business environment for small businesses.
Karen Millen OBE said “I’m delighted to be joining SheChain Live and the Enterprise Vision Awards. Throughout my career I’ve learned that success is rarely a straight line, and I’m looking forward to sharing the lessons, challenges and opportunities that have shaped my journey in business. I hope attendees leave feeling inspired to take the next step towards building something meaningful of their own.”
Emma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner, said “We are on a mission to make life easier for small firms by getting money moving faster through the economy. I want to see female founders get the funding and support they need to thrive. I know from starting, growing and selling a business from a home base myself the joy of running your own business and I want other women to enjoy the productive and enjoyable growth their businesses deserve. I am looking forward to speaking at SheChain Live and meeting the incredible female entrepreneurs.”
The programme combines keynote interviews with practical sessions covering retail, procurement, finance, investment and inclusive leadership. Recognising that visibility is increasingly important for business growth, the ITV News team will also lead Confidence on Camera sessions, helping founders develop the confidence and communication skills to become recognised voices in their industries and make the most of future media opportunities.
Female entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to meet representatives from household names including Ryman, IHG Hotels & Resorts, United Utilities and Booths, alongside investors, procurement teams and industry experts looking to discover innovative suppliers and emerging brands.
The event is powered by organisations including WEConnect International, ITV, GS1 UK, Chartered ABS, The Pro Club, Intersect, Marshall Harmony, Vibes and Visibility, JGP Consultancy and The Confident Beauty Collective.
Created by the team behind the Enterprise Vision Awards, which has celebrated outstanding women in business since 2011, SheChain Live builds on fifteen years of championing female entrepreneurship by creating even more opportunities for business growth.
“The conversations we’ve had while creating SheChain Live have been fascinating,” added Coral Horn. “We’ve listened to the challenges women are facing and then asked: who do we need to get in the room? “When you look at the speakers and the attendee list now, it’s becoming a bit of a Who’s Who of business. There are some serious powerhouses and game changers coming from across the UK. Your next client, collaborator or introduction could be in that room. You might meet someone who completely changes your thinking. That’s the exciting bit – you never quite know which conversation could make a difference to your business.”
SheChain Live is open to founders, business owners and professionals from every sector.
More information, tickets and exhibition opportunities are available at https://wib360.com/shechain-live/.
