ESBC Background
The ESBC began as the East of Scotland Businesswomen’s Club in 1992, becoming Edinburgh’s Businesswomen’s Club in 2006. The club is run by women, for women in management and entrepreneurial contexts in the Edinburgh area.
The club was the brainchild of Tessa Simpson who understood the need, and lack of, support for women centred business support.
We are nearing our 20th anniversary and throughout the years we have delivered a consistent message, that of; inspiring, informing and supporting women in business to enhance their network and to enhance wealth creation potential. We have built knowledge and understanding of women’s enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and continue to deliver a robust service giving access to appropriate help and support and to sign posting people to the best goods, services and people.
Why do we still need a gender specific club in 2010? Pure economics!
• Right now only 9.7% of women sit on the board of FTSE 100 companies.
• 20 years ago there were fewer than 700,000 women in self employment, now there are a million
• Only 27% of start ups are women
• If women were to set up business at the same rate as men then an extra 150,000 new business would be created
• If this happened then the UK productivity would be boosted by £23 billion, contributing 2% to the GDP, and
• The economy would increase to £60 billion (GVA)
The Economist stated that the future of the UK economy lies in the hands of women. There is a growing recognition that increasing female entrepreneurship constitutes important new markets for banks and lending institutions and thus the ESBC is here to support women in all areas of business in recognition of the economic imperative and impact of this.
The ESBC is an affiliate member of the Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) a national network with similar aims of inspiring businesswomen and celebrating excellence in women in business. Thus, we operate within a national network of over 5000 women in business or managerial roles.
The ESBC is run by a voluntary committee drawn from the membership of the club with an annually elected President. Collectively we organise a series of events throughout the year from networking lunches, training and development and powerful and entertaining speaker led dinners.
Past Presidents
1992/3 Tessa Simpson
1993/4 Tricia de Beaux
1994/5 Libby Harrison
1995/6 Maree Leslie
1996/7 Liz McAreavey
1997/8 Avril Jamieson
1998/9 Bridget O’Donnell
1999/0
2000/01 Pat Abel
2001/02 Pat Abel
2002/03 Sandra Benn
2003/04 Julie Grieve
2004/05 Pat Denzler
2005/06 Sheila Hogan
2006/07 Lorna Pellet
2007/08 Alison Miller
2008/08 Karen Macartney
2008/11 Caroline Buchan
The legacy lives on!
For more information, please contact president@esbc.org.uk
