There is just over a week to go before entries close for the Cornwall Business Awards 2011, the most prestigious business awards event in the county. The Cornwall Business Awards are free to enter and are open to any business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. There are no less than fourteen award categories to apply for, including Best International Business and Best Use of Technology. Applications close at midnight on the 13th of March. Pete Waterman OBE will be the celebrity speaker at the awards which will be held at St Mellion International Resort on May 19th 2011. To apply or to find out more visit

> Cornwall Business Awards

The European Centre for the Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) has appointed Professor Lora Fleming as its new Director. Professor Michael Depledge, who has served as Interim Director, will continue in his role as Chair of the Advisory Board. Professor Fleming is one of the world’s leading experts in issues regarding the environment and public health. She joins ECEHH from the University of Miami where she was a professor in both the Medical and Marine Schools.

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A new voluntary, community and social enterprise hub for Cornwall, The Elms, opened in February. The project, which has been developed by Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) and includes investment from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme, has renovated and refurbished an out of use building. Situated in Redruth, The Elms will offer services for individuals and community groups including information, advice and guidance; learning from skills for life to degrees; pathways to employment and community development activities for all ages. In addition to the community facilities The Elms will provide office space, a VCS hub for knowledge exchange, and a social enterprise and self employment facility.

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“The BBC recently reported research for the Institute of Leadership and Management that showed nearly three-quarters of women say that they still face barriers to top-level promotion in the UK, with women supporting positive action to tackle this issue. Sheelagh Whittaker, non-executive director of Standard Life summed up this view nicely on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, “I am a big supporter of quotas. I believe that we will only have true equality when we have as many incompetent women in positions of power as incompetent men.”

“So should women receive special treatment when celebrating business achievement, receiving career advice or business support? Doesn't equal opportunity now mean that 'one size fits all'? Why should there be single gender groupings and special business support for women? The answer does not lie in the definition of a single gender but in the evidence which highlights an underperforming, sometimes disadvantaged, often undervalued group in our society and the potential contribution that they can make to our economy.

“Does it matter? Well wiping out 52 percent of your potential talent in the population does not bode well in a competitive global society whichever way you look at it!

“12 per cent of directors on the FTSE 100 are women. Yet 52 per cent of the population are women and last year 57% of first class degrees were gained by women. A recent study projects that it will take 73 years before there are an equal number of women across the FTSE 100 boardrooms.

“In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly extra barriers exist – peripherality, social isolation and a high proportion of low wage industries which, research shows, women are more likely to gravitate towards rather than higher paid professions such as engineering.

“Because of this initiatives have been set up including Empowering Smart Women, Outset Cornwall and Enterprising Women – which receive European Social Fund or European Regional Development Fund Convergence investment.

“I have long championed women aspiring to start up or in business and those who wish to progress into employment or in their chosen careers. It is not a biased cause because of common gender. It is about believing that any person, regardless of gender, origin, sexual orientation or ethnicity is able to choose and work towards their personal goals and ambitions.

"Vive la difference! The best talent is not predicated by gender (or origin, or sexual orientation or ethnicity) and should never be stifled by it!"

The Sustainable Rural Tourism programme, supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), aims to attract extra visitors to the south west through six projects focussing on South West Coast Path, Cornish Mining World Heritage site, inland water bodies, cycle & multi-use trails and the natural habitat.
> Sustainable Rural Tourism

More information about the Rural Development Programme in the South West can be found on the SW Rural Gateway website and on the Convergence website.

For contact details and information about the fisheries programme visit:
> Convergence website