More About WiRE

As the only national UK organisation to promote, support and develop rural businesswomen; WiRE serves its 2000 members across the UK from Harper Adams Agricultural University in Shropshire. Ongoing WiRE research into rural business and the barriers faced by rural businesswomen gives WiRE the insight and knowledge to offer specific support to rural businesswomen.

We know about business

In response to feedback from rural businesswomen over the last 10 years WiRE has created a package of realistic business services designed specifically to help rural businesswomen. Apart from our 2 regionally funded projects (Opening Doors in the West Midlands) WiRE has a small team of staff, all have run their own rural business, all are 100% dedicated to helping rural business succeed. 

We know about working on a shoestring

Apart from our funded projects WiRE is NOT funded by public money, your membership subscription HEIF allows us to create our package of business services for rural businesswomen. We are just like any other small rural business, we struggle to make ends meet but ultimately believe 100% in what we do. WiRE helps create and grow rural businesses, sustaining and regenerating rural economies and puts rural businesswomen on the political and business agenda.

We know about value

WiRE membership is worth its weight in gold, each one of the business services has been specifically designed for growing rural businesses. We can’t do everything for you, we can give you the tools but you must do the work, take advantage of as many of the opportunities as possible, your business can only benefit.

What WiRE can do for your business

Who are WiRE Members

Although there is no typical WiRE member, our most recent research shows that this is what you look like:

40% run growing businesses (1-3 years)

30% run mature businesses (+ 3 years)

26% run new start businesses (less than 1 year)

** The remainder have yet to start – good luck to you

48% have a business located in a village, 17% are based in a market town

21% have a farm based business, 10% have urban businesses

64% of you work from home, 13% work from an office

56% read local newspapers and magazines

23% read Country Living magazine

15.5% read farming papers (Farmers Guardian/Farmers Weekly)

14% read The Guardian, 9% read The Sunday Times, 8% read The Daily Telegraph