Business Monthly: News in brief

UK is leader in green business investment

The UK is the European hotbed of investment and innovation in low-carbon technologies, attracting 41 per cent of the total venture capital and private equity investment in low-carbon companies in the EU, according to a recent report. The research also reveals that the global low-carbon energy market opportunity could reach £2 trillion per year by 2030. The study, conducted by independent consultancy Vivid Economics in collaboration with New Energy Finance, the renewable energy information provider, is the third in a series commissioned by Shell Springboard, the fund for ethical small business.

The report looks at the role small and medium enterprises play in tackling climate change and the extent to which the UK is harnessing energy potential. Another finding is that climate change entrepreneurship could be a bigger, more enduring opportunity than the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, when global sales of PCs were growing at 15 to 20 per cent.

The report comes as the closing date approaches for the Shell Springboard awards for innovative, low-carbon business ideas. Last year, awards of £40,000 were made to eight businesses drawn from across the UK including Carbon8, which turns rubbish from landfill sites into building materials. The deadline for this year's applications is 7 November 2008. For more information visit: www.shellspringboard.com .

Event seeks to fuel female business

Female entrepreneurs are being urged to attend the eighth national conference organised by everywoman, the service provider for women in business, which is being held later this month. The event, entitled "Replenish: fuelling the future of your business", is designed to appeal to female entrepreneurs looking to learn new skills, share advice and ideas and aim higher.

The all-day conference will be held at Central Hall, Westminster on 19 November, National Women's Enterprise Day. Speakers include Ruby Wax, the comedian, Baroness Vadera, of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and Karen Darby, founder of Simply Switch, the utilities comparison service. A panel discussion will see debate between entrepreneurs who have enjoyed success through adversity and there will be various masterclass workshops on such issues as building your brand.

Repackage is welcome delivery for SMEs

The Institute of Leadership and Management has welcomed the Government's move to repackage £350m of its Train to Gain funding to focus on staff development within small and medium enterprises. The institute believes the move will open up opportunities for more employees to access leadership and management training and so improve business efficiency across the UK. The announcement suggests that the Government has responded to employers' demands, particularly those from small business owners, for shorter qualifications.

Penny de Valk, the institute's chief executive, says: "This is an extremely welcome development for our members and ILM centres, one that will allow employers and learners to access funding more easily. With the UK teetering on the bring of recession, the funding is a timely boost for SMEs."

Awards to recognise Asian influence

Britain's most successful Asian business people will be named later this month, when the 12th annual Eastern Eye Asian Business Awards take place at Wembley Stadium.

Hosted by Eastern Eye, the Asian weekly newspaper and presented by communications agency Sterling Media, the prestigious event celebrates the commercial success of business leaders who represent a £40bn-plus wealth market in the UK. The event will coincide with the Ethnic Media Group's publication of Success magazine, which profiles Britain's 20 richest and most-influential Asians. Among those entertaining the VIPs and other guests at the lavish event will be X Factor finalists, Hope, RnB artist Raghav and operatic star Patricia Rozario.