The Centre for Women's Enterprise (CWE) at the University of Bedfordshire has won a national award from one of the UK's largest network organisations for businesswomen.

The Centre received the Prowess Flagship Award for Best Practice and Excellence in Women's Enterprise Development, for outstanding services delivered to women in the East of England looking to start or grow their own business and develop their skills. 

Only a handful of business support providers across the UK hold the Flagship Award and the CWE is the only the fourth University to achieve the standard. The team was commended for "the pro-active, passionate and committed approach to helping clients" and for "striving to exceed expectations to serve diverse communities."

Linda Kitchener, CWE Manager, said: "The Flagship Award is another boost for the CWE which makes us extremely proud. The team is passionate about providing a high quality, personal and supportive service to women of all backgrounds and we are thrilled to have received national recognition for this.

"The award reflects the enterprise, creativity and innovation of the Centre that has enabled it to develop, within three years to a professional service organisation that enables women entrepreneurs to initiate and progress their business." 

Last year the CWE was presented with the Prowess 'Innovator Award' for the impact their services are having on women's lives and work.

The CWE offers personal and business development workshops, short courses, informal networking and a signposting service to empower women from the Eastern region to take their businesses, ideas and careers to the next level in a supportive and accessible environment. 

To find out more about the CWE visit www.beds.ac.uk/cwe or call 01582 489041.