WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise)

WiRE offers support for women running small businesses all over the UK; whether you have already setup your business or are considering a new one. Our website and network groups all over the UK provide a friendly, helpful and supportive place to go for support, advice, guidance to help you start and build a successful business. Our members come from a diverse range of businesses and operate from the remotest of locations to local market towns and beyond. WiRE is a national organisation originating at Harper Adams University, Shropshire. The college was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize, recognising the significant contribution that the Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) programme has made to developing and supporting women-owned rural businesses. WiRE believes passionately that women in rural business should be heard and valued. We lobby on a national level to keep rural businesses on the political agenda and contribute regularly to national policy as our advice is often sought by Government. Izzy Warren-Smith (WiRE Founder) was awarded an OBE in 2005 in recognition of her contribution to female entrepreneurship and the current director Polly Gibb was awarded an OBE in 2013 for her services and support for rural businesses. Judy Illing has now joined as a director responsible for the day to day operations of the organisation.