Ten businesswomen named as entrepreneurship ambassadors

TEN of Ireland’s leading business women have been unveiled as “entrepreneurship ambassadors” in a European Commission drive to promote new job creation.

The European Network of Female Entrepreneurs initiative will be co-ordinated by Galway Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Dublin and Cork Chambers.

Women make up just 30% of entrepreneurs in the EU.

Eddie McVeigh of the EC Representation in Ireland said: “Through this network we hope to inspire women of all ages who may want to start a company but lack the confidence to do so. At a European level, we need to ensure that policy effectively promotes this goal.”

The 10 newly selected entrepreneurship ambassadors are: Grainne Byrne, GBC PR; Nicola Byrne, 11890; Triona Campbell, CR Entertainment; Liz Cassidy, Irish Time Design; Krishna De, BizGrowth; Judy Greene, Judy Greene Pottery; Audrey Kinahan, University Late Night Pharmacy; Mary O’Riordan, O’Riordan Interiors and Perfect Curtains; Chris Winning, Corporate Care Relocation Ireland; and Jola Wojtowicz, Jola’s Restaurant.

They join an EU-wide pool of 120 business leaders.

As An Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan explained: “I hope this initiative will encourage women to consider starting up their own businesses. These extraordinary women are ideal role models for other women to emulate.”

Galway, Dublin and Cork chambers are members of the Irish Enterprise Europe Network, organisations which provide advice and support on EU matters to Irish SMEs.

Galway Chamber’s deputy president Carmel Brennan said: “Too few women are taking the step to starting their own business and there is a huge untapped entrepreneurial potential. This initiative will help boost the entrepreneurial activity in our regions.”