As applications for the Women in Innovation awards have recently opened and Innovate UK has declared a 70% increase in registrations for female funding, it has become increasingly topical to focus on women and their position within the innovation and investment industry.

Following hotly on the (kitten!) heels of Victoria Beckham, fashion icon Alesha Dixon, makes her own statement with fashion business littleblackdress.co.uk. The company has confirmed positive news about a recent investment process. With a fourth funding round closed, the business has now raised a total of £2.5m. The latest cash injection will be used for job creation and further expansion.

Returning to work after maternity or adoption leave is often a stressful time for mums.

Many women are worried about leaving their child; they may be lacking in confidence or unsure of their legal rights. This means women need support at work, but employers often don't know what support to give, and don't understand how important it is for mums and for business.

Each year, Frank Recruitment Group put together unique research which looks at how people working with Microsoft technologies feel about the industry.

The gender gap in investment is stark; women make up 27% of all Venture Capital staff and only 14% of angel investors. Globally, female fund managers are responsible for just 4% of worldwide assets.

Coventry-based chartered accountant and director of Trinity Accountants, Sam Rollins has been named the English Business Women of the Year at the first The English Women’s Awards 2018.

How to recognize the signs before you’re burned out

According to HSE, around 12.5 million working days are lost due to work related stress in 2017 with 526,000 British workers suffering from Mental Health issues such as depression and anxiety.

The 2018 E3 Business Awards took place on the evening of Thursday 12th July at the Macron Stadium in Bolton. The winners were announced in front of an audience of nearly 500 delegates from across the North West.

To reach the finals, all nominees had first made a written submission, followed by interviews with an independent judging panel. From the many hundreds of entries submitted to the organisers, the judges produced a shortlist of just 55. The awards featured 16 categories in all, with some candidates appearing as finalists in more than one of them.

By Michelle Chance, Partner and Head of the London Employment team at transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson UK

"The Hampton-Alexander Review, which was commissioned by the Government to look at ways to ensure that talented women at the top of business are recognised, promoted and rewarded, has released new figures today (27 June 2018) showing that women hold 29% of FTSE 100 board positions.

Much progress has been made at the largest companies; in 2011, the figure was just 12.5%.  The target is 33% by 2020, which looks to be achievable.