In our latest SE100 Social Business Coffee Break webinar, Homes for Good CEO Zoe Whyatt and NatWest Social and Community Capital bossVictoria Papworth share their experiences of taking on a top job and the lessons they’ve learned.
The number of social enterprises with equity, diversity and inclusion strategies has been steadily growing over the past five years, despite fresh challenges, reveals our deep dive into data from the SE100 Index and Social Business Awards.
Dr Chih Hoong Sin welcomes the UK government’s rediscovered enthusiasm for outcomes funds with the launch of the world’s biggest fund of this type. But we should look beyond its impressive size to focus upon how it can best optimise impact.
ANALYSIS: The UK’s privatised water industry has been sinking into debt and disrepair for years, but a commission set up to seek solutions overlooks ownership models that could work for all, say impact economy experts.
NatWest SE100 2025 awards were celebrated for the first time in Manchester, England, recognising social enterprises and social investors from across the UK.
SOCAP, a major gathering of thousands of impact investors, kicks off tomorrow. First-timer Candice Hampson picks out the sessions to watch – and shares a few personal ambitions.
Three women took the lead in starting a new trade association for community finance. "None of our male colleagues felt in a position to take that risk", recalls Niamh Goggin. Dial forward 20 years and the sector's leaders are male, pale and privileged.
It sometimes seemed like a sector put together with cardboard and pieces of string – and being a social investor can still feel lonely... Big Issue Invest boss Danyal Sattar reflects on 20 years of community investment in the UK.
NatWest took a big leap of faith in setting up its own community enterprise fund, says Bernie Morgan, a trustee of NatWest Social & Community Capital, recalling the early days of support for responsible investors.
SNAPSHOTS FROM ADDIS Matters of the mind were long brushed over in Ethiopia – but Erk Mead’s hugely successful programmes are helping people to open up and get professional help.
Some claim Big Society Capital’s current form – and its implications on the cost of finance – is actually holding back social investment. But, while lending all its money cheaply may be tempting, it would be a serious mistake, writes CEO Cliff Prior.
The British Council and Social Enterprise UK are supporting people from 15 UK social enterprises to attend next week's Social Enterprise World Forum in Addis Ababa, helping increase the diversity of attendees.
Bite-sized stories this week include record interest in B Corp certification, a big commitment to buy social, latest research on giving to charity, and new hires at Social Investment Scotland.
SNAPSHOTS FROM ADDIS: Business is undeniably tough for Desert Rose, which is producing affordable household water filters – but diverse revenue streams and a healthy dose of creativity are keeping the social enterprise on course.
