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The Missing Link - Inclusion Modelling within Innovation & Enterprise (CIMR debates in Public Policy)

When: —
Venue: Online

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Join the Centre for Innovation Management Research on Wednesday 20 March 2024, 1.00-2.00PM for an online lunchtime seminar on Inclusion Modelling within Innovation & Enterprise.

The online debate is part of the CIMR Debates and Workshops in Public Policy series.

Panel

Abstract 

Significant inequalities within the world of business are increasingly matched by the breadth of anecdotal and academic evidence relating to the barriers faced by those who have lived experience within this field.  However, policy initiatives designed to close the gaps on what resources disabled entrepreneurs need and what is available.  In this CIMR debate, the panel of inclusion modelling experts which each reflect on what their work reveals about how real and sustainable change can be achieved.

Work represented here is as follows:

The OECD report 'The Missing Entrepreneurs 2023: Policies for Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Self Employment' points to the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in the EU and OECD reflects positive trends in diversity, particularly with the substantial growth in immigrant entrepreneurship. However, gender gaps persist, necessitating ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The slow but steady progress suggests a need for targeted policies and initiatives to foster diversity and equality in the entrepreneurial landscape. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/230efc78-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/230efc78-en 

Lawton Smith and Winstanley’s 2023 report, The 'Road to Wonder' explores the barriers and opportunities to creating innovation and enterprise by disabled  people, presenting a portrait of disabled innovators in the UK. The report examines the working practices of disabled innovators, explores the nature of entrepreneurial and innovation activities undertaken by disabled entrepreneurs, and reflects on the variations in regional innovation activity and availability of resources. Overall, the findings present a largely optimistic picture of enterprise and innovation by disabled people when they are appropriately resourced. http://www7.bbk.ac.uk/cimr/2023/10/18/the-road-to-wonder-project-summary-briefing-now-published/

The Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) and NatWest Group 'Time to Change' Report underscores the economic, social, and cultural contributions of EMBs in the UK, while highlighting the barriers they face. The presented recommendations, if implemented, have the potential to unlock the full potential of ethnic minority entrepreneurs, significantly contributing to economic growth and fostering a more inclusive business environment. https://publications.aston.ac.uk/id/eprint/43782/1/CREME_NWG_Time_to_change_report_FINAL_published.pdf 

The Lending Standards Board series of Insights Reports' overarching goal is to enhance accessibility and inclusion, recognising the potential for positive impacts not only for those directly affected but for all customers. Despite global legislation, policy and initiatives intended to redress this imbalance the gaps still remain resulting in untapped potential. https://www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Access-for-dDeaf-customers-in-banking-and-credit.pdf ; https://www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Increasing-access-to-finance-for-ethnic-minority-led-businesses-LSB-report.pdf 

Our policy debate therefore moves us on from why this continues to be the case but seeks to identify the missing links which when addressed will bring about the necessary sustainable inclusive working practice within this sector increasing inclusive economic growth and socio-economic status of global citizens. Our panel of experts on inclusion modelling will share their thoughts on achieving this culminating in an example of an organisational change framework 'Framework of Inclusion'.

Biographies

Co-chair: Jacqueline Winstanley (Universal Inclusion)

Jacqueline Winstanley, FRSA, is a global humanitarian, innovator, and Founder/CEO of Universal Inclusion, the Inclusive Entrepreneur Network and the Disabled Entrepreneurs Network. Recognised as an international expert, she is deeply committed to advancing equality of access through inclusive environments. Jacqueline's impact spans Inclusive Economic Growth, Entrepreneurship, Workforce Retention, Inclusive Play, and Government Policy. Her work, hailed as good practice, has influenced policy changes in the UK. Notably, she established the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship. A frequent speaker at the UN, Windsor, and Westminster, she's an author, poet, and contributor to advisory boards, guidelines, and white papers. As a Visiting Fellow & Entrepreneur in Residence at the Centre for Innovation Management Research, Birkbeck, University of London, and Research Associate at Lancaster University, Jacqueline's frameworks and solutions for inclusive entrepreneurship enrich lives and diminish global inequalities.

Co-chair: Jonathan Potter, Head of the Entrepreneurship Policy and Analysis Unit of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities.

He directs OECD work streams including country reviews of SME and entrepreneurship policy, evaluation approaches for SME and entrepreneurship policy, policies for inclusive entrepreneurship including support for youth and women, and policies for entrepreneurial ecosystems at national and regional levels. He has worked at the OECD since 1997 and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.

Anna Roughley, Head of Insight and Engagement, the Lending Standards Board (LSB)

Anna leads the Insight, Communications and interim registration functions at the LSB. She is responsible for driving forward strategies which: reaffirm to registered firms the requirements of the LSB’s Standards and Codes through the provision of insight; raise awareness of the LSB and the importance of delivering good customer outcomes; and support applicant firms through the registration process.

Anna has extensive experience working in risk and compliance and is passionate about delivering customer centric solutions through the provision of best practice frameworks and strategies.

Penny Roberts - Co Founder BankAbility Ltd

Penny Roberts is a serial entrepreneur living in North Yorkshire. Her passion for this business comes from her son who is dyslexic/autistic and is unable to use digital banking because it is not accessible. After several months of deep research, she realised that millions of vulnerable or disabled people were being underserved. So she decided to do something about it. Banking has changed dramatically in the last 5 years, leaving people with disabilities significantly disadvantaged. 50% of branches have closed across Europe, as banks look to reduce costs and increase ROI by pushing customers to digital banking. But millions of vulnerable users find current banking apps inaccessible, often leading to frustration, mental health issues and financial exclusion. The banks don’t know which customers are vulnerable, or what their needs are. They are also constrained by legacy systems that were never designed for accessibility. That’s where BankAbility comes in!

They are building the world’s first accessibility-centric digital banking platform to enable people with disabilities to retain their independence and remain part of the financial system, regardless of where they bank. BankAbility is ‘fintech4good’, and we’ve pledged 10% of future profits to our charity partners! Their amazing team has lived experience of disabilities, and  they are passionate about delivering positive social impact to millions. It’s about getting our AI-driven tech to do all the heavy lifting to remove all accessibility barriers. This is a very exciting time for BankAbility, and they’d love to speak with potential investors to help build a brighter future for people with disabilities. 

Helene Martin Gee (SAVVITAS)
Helene is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and founder and President of Savvitas, the network for women business leaders she established in 2007 (as ‘Pink Shoe’), which has extensive international links and associated partner networks around the world. A prominent Parliamentary Adviser and House of Lords Chief of Staff, Helene sits on the G7 Strategic Working Group, and advises the W20 Entrepreneurship Board. She established the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship, chairing its inaugural Advisory Board, and is board member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women & Enterprise.

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