Author Archives: HM Government

Innovate UK has joined up with Getty images and UK photographer, Amelia Troubridge, to host a new photography exhibition.

The infocus women in innovation exhibition challenges the perception of what it looks like to be a female innovator in 2017. The exhibition is part of Innovate UK’s infocus campaign aimed at increasing the low number of women entrepreneurs applying for funding.

Research shows that:

• gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to deliver better financial returns
• Getty Images online searches for ‘female business executive’ have increased 350% and ‘female entrepreneur’ by 66% over the past 2 years
• the proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men
• only 14% of all people working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) are women

Entrepreneur Jenna Bowen, founder of Cotton Mouton Diagnostics, in front of her photograph.

The exhibition profiles 12 of the winners of the women in innovation awards, Innovate UK’s funding competition open only to women. Their innovations range from the optimisation of cancer treatment and the creation of sustainable alternatives to animal products to air-pollution and waste solutions.

The exhibition also celebrates the differences and diversity among this group of female innovators – such as background, age, education, location and approach.

Dr Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK Chief Executive, commented:

Research shows that harnessing the skills of female entrepreneurs would significantly enhance UK economic growth and improve the breadth of management teams.

One barrier identified from our own analysis is the relative lack of female role models. What better way to address this than to partner with Getty Images, the world’s leading image database and Amelia Troubridge, the world-renowned photographer, to showcase some amazing women?

Dr Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK chief executive, at the launch of the Amelia Troubridge exhibition.

Innovate UK launched the infocus programme in 2016. Its aims are to:

• get more women innovating in business
• give female entrepreneurs the support they need to grow their businesses
• create new role models for the next generation

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2014 – present FCO, Head, Arms Export Policy 2013 FCO Various assignments working on crisis management, high profile visits and the Arms Trade Treaty 2008 – 2012 Istanbul, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Investment for Turkey 2004 – 2008 Moscow, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Director of Operations 2002 – 2004 Seconded as UK Political Adviser, NATO JFC Brunssum 1999 – 2001 FCO, Deputy Head, Non-Proliferation Department 1996 – 1999 Minsk, Her Majesty’s Ambassador 1994 – 1996 Language training (Russian) 1992 – 1994 FCO, Head of South Africa Section, Africa Department 1990 – 1992 FCO, Head of Economic & Sanctions Department, UN Department 1987 – 1990 Dakar, Second Secretary 1986 – 1987 FCO, Desk Officer for Hungary and Czechoslovakia 1985 – 1986 FCO, Desk Officer for India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives 1985 Joined FCO   read more

Environment Secretary Michael Gove pledged action to reduce plastic waste choking our oceans as he set out his ambition for the UK to lead the world in environmental protection.

Around eight million tonnes of plastic makes its way into oceans each year, posing a serious threat to our natural and marine environment – experts estimate plastic is ingested by 31 species of marine mammals and over 100 species of sea birds.

As new figures published today revealed more than nine billion fewer plastic bags were used since the government introduced a 5p charge, an 83 per cent reduction, the Environment Secretary set out further plans to prevent other sources of plastic finding their way into our oceans and seas during a speech entitled ‘Delivering a Green Brexit’ today.

Mr Gove confirmed legislation will be introduced this year to ban the sale and manufacture of microbeads – tiny pieces of plastic that are easily swallowed by marine life – in cosmetics and personal care products such as toothpastes and shower gels.

Speaking at WWF UK on Friday morning, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

Eight million tonnes of plastic are discarded into the world’s oceans each year, putting marine wildlife under serious threat.

In October 2015, the government introduced the 5p carrier bag charge. Figures released today show that policy’s enormous success – nine billion fewer carrier bags distributed since the charge was introduced, a fall of 83 per cent. More than £95million raised from the charge has been donated to environmental, educational and other good causes.

Last year the government launched a consultation on banning microbeads in personal care products, which have such a devastating effect on marine life. We are responding to that consultation today and we will introduce legislation to implement that ban later this year.

But there is more we can do to protect our oceans, so we will explore new methods of reducing the amount of plastic – in particular plastic bottles – entering our seas, improve incentives for reducing waste and litter, and review the penalties available to deal with polluters – all part of a renewed strategy on waste and resources that looks ahead to opportunities outside the EU.

Since its introduction, the 5p plastic bag charge has reduced use by over nine billion bags – enough to wrap around the world more than 100 times. Money raised from the charge has generated £95 million for good causes.

An expert group announced as part of the government’s Litter Strategy has begun work to explore ways to reduce the use of commonly littered items such as drink bottles, as well as considering the advantages and disadvantages of different types of deposit and reward and return schemes.

The government is also bringing forward legislation to help councils tackle littering from vehicles and will shortly publish our response to a consultation into increasing the fixed penalty fine for littering.

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