Mothers of Invention

Women-owned start-ups are on the rise. Findings from the latest London Annual Business Survey show that one in six businesses in London is now majority female-owned compared with one in ten three years ago – and they also employ more women than their male counterparts.

The new generation of female entrepreneurs eager for advice and inspiration should make a date in their diaries for ‘MOTHERS OF INVENTION’, taking place at the British Library on Wednesday 7 March, 2007.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, the British Library is bringing together four outstandingly successful businesswomen in fields as diverse as music, science, online travel and food. The panel comprises: Martha Lane Fox, the co-founder of lastminute.com; Kanya King, one of the most influential women in the music business and the creator of the MOBO awards; Nighat Awan OBE, the driving force behind the Shere Khan Group and Dr Gill Samuels one of the UK’s most successful scientists and a key member of the team that developed Viagra. Panel members will share their own experiences and offer advice to would-be entrepreneurs who want to emulate their success.

The discussion will explore key topics such as:

• What inspired you and how did you get your idea off the ground?
• What opportunities and obstacles did you encounter along the way?
• Where did you obtain your financial backing and business advice from?
• How did you manage to balance your work and home life?

If you had to start again, what if anything would you do differently?

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, said: “Sisters really are doing it for themselves. The expanding field of women entrepreneurs is one of the most exciting trends of recent years.”

‘Mothers of Invention’ is the latest in the ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ series, supported by HSBC, ‘the world’s local bank’.

‘MOTHERS OF INVENTION’ role model discussion panel runs from 6.30pm to 8.00pm on Wednesday 7 march 2007 at The British Library Conference Centre and is followed by a networking reception until 9.00pmTel: +44 (0) 20 7412 7222, email boxoffice@bl.uk or in person at the Information Desk at The British Library.

how they made it...

Martha Lane Fox is one of Britain’s best-known entrepreneurs. She co-founded lastminute.com in 1998 with Brent Hoberman; floated the business in 2000; and remained on the board until the company was acquired by Sabre Holdings in 2005 for £577m. Today, while recovering from injuries sustained in a terrible car accident, Martha is a non-executive director of Channel 4 Television, a trustee of the charity Reprieve, patron of CAMFED and the Prisons Video Trust, and co-founder of Lucky Voice Private Karaoke.

Kanya King is an international entrepreneur and one of the most influential women in the music business. By creating the MOBO Awards in 1996, Kanya has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK. Kanya has most recently hit the screens as one of the stars of ITV’s Million Pound Giveaway.

Nighat Awan OBE is the driving force behind the Shere Khan Group, which comprises restaurants, food services and food products. Nighat has overcome formidable obstacles in her life and career, including near-fatal throat cancer and watching her parents lose everything, to become a highly successful serial entrepreneur. Her mantra in life and business: ‘health is wealth’.

Dr Gill Samuels is one of the UK’s most successful scientists. During her eminent career at Pfizer, she contributed to the discovery of several new medicines, most notably as a key member of the team that developed Viagra. As vice-president of the Association of Women in Science and Engineering, and working with the World Health Organization, she has been a leading voice in the promotion of women’s careers in science.

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