Who We Are

WiRE started in 1996 with a piece of research into falling farm incomes and diversification. Over the years and in response to feedback from rural businesswomen WiRE has developed a full business support package for women across the UK wanting to develop and grow their rural business.

Projects

WiRE works with RDAs and Business Links to deliver public funded projects in order to boost the number of women starting and growing rural businesses in specific regions.

View projects that WiRE are currently involved with

Private Sponsors

bibBiB Insurance

Dedicated and highly experienced rural underwriting team and a clear understanding of the needs of rural business. BiB have a Rural Retail Scheme which truly reflects the needs of the rural community. Call 01325 353888 and ask for Vicki for informal, friendly rural advice (make sure you mention WiRE) or click on the logo.

DaviesCoDavies and Co

Advise farm and rural businesses on all areas of planning and legalities and are specialists in leisure, tourism and visitor attractions. Speak to their specialist advisors on 01536 524808

HSBCHSBC Merchant Services

Offer WiRE members preferential rates on card processing services: no set up fee, reduced rate terminal rental and lower transaction charges. Call the Business Team on 0800 731 8921 (you'll need your WiRE Membership number).

CloudnetCloudnet

Free Phones, a Free Switchboard and Free Calls in our Network.

We'd love to talk to WiRE Members about our internet based network. Now for the first time everyone can have all the phone services that big business uses at a fraction of the price. You get the best network with international standards, free quality internet phones and total control. Click here for an information sheet on how internet telephony is revolutionising business

mcMidland Computers

Our knowledge and experience provides you with impartial advice on: hardware, software, consumables, email, domain, website and hosting services, along with remote back up and data recovery (and plenty more).  Whether you need a printer cartridge or a fully managed server solution WiRE members have a dedicated contact Rachel Davies, who will be pleased to discuss your requirements 01952 588 688:  rachel.davies@midlandcomputers.com,

 

Evans Easyspace

Free venues across the UK for networks and other events

Partners

Business in the Community (BitC)

"Seeing is Believing" visit to Harper Adams for HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001 at which Izzy Warren-Smith presented the WiRE project. HRH suggested that the WiRE project should launch nationally.

Business Link

WiRE works closely with Business Link to provide rural business support in all regions

Harper Adams University College (HAUC)

HAUC played a vital part in the initial establishment of WiRE and continues to support and encourage the WiRE project .

HefceThe Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)

HEIF funding for WiRE as an outreach project in the higher education sector.

Regional Development Agencies

Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Yorkshire Forward, East of England (EEDA)

The English RDAs aim to transform England’s regions through sustainable economic development. Over the history of WiRE, projects for the RDA's above have been successfully delivered


 
 

Research

Being based at a land-based university, Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, means that reasearch underpins all of our work. The college was recently awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize, recognising the significant contribution that the Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) programme has made to developing and supporting women-owned rural businesses.

View abstracts from our research

Contact the research department