Collection: NatWest SE100
UK's best social enterprise pioneers revealed at SE100 Awards 2025
NatWest SE100 2025 awards were celebrated for the first time in Manchester, England, recognising social enterprises and social investors from across the UK.
The UK’s most impressive social enterprises were celebrated last night as Pioneers Post held its 15th annual NatWest SE100 Awards in Manchester.
The event was hosted on Tuesday evening at live music venue Band on The Wall in Manchester, England. Social enterprises from across the UK were in attendance, tackling a wide range of social and environmental issues. Winners this year ranged from an English social enterprise using music to uplift young people, to an organisation in Edinburgh reducing e-waste by repairing and refurbishing electronic parts.
Tonight is a celebration of possibility. Every social enterprise represented here is proof that business can be a powerful force for social good
Victoria Papworth (pictured below), CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “What makes these awards so special is the range of stories behind them. From grassroots initiatives to national networks, each one reflects a deep commitment to people and place.”
The SE100 Awards were created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, the social investment charity founded by NatWest bank. The awards’ aim is to support the development and growth of social enterprise and mission-driven business across the UK through celebrating and sharing stories of success – and the challenges and solutions behind them.
Papworth added: “Tonight is a celebration of possibility. Every social enterprise represented here is proof that business can be a powerful force for social good – driving change, creating opportunity, and strengthening communities. And we at NatWest Social & Community Capital are honoured to support another year of judging and supporting these awards.”
Eight winners were recognised across seven categories. Several organisations were also celebrated as highly commended. This year’s winners received a copy of social entrepreneur and mentor Liam Black’s book How to Lead with Purpose: Lessons in life and work from the gloves-off mentor and a team subscription to Pioneers Post.
- Read the How to Lead with Purpose serialisation in Pioneers Post
In her welcoming address, Julie Baker, head of strategic partnerships at NatWest, said: “Impact is really important for all of us, so being able to spotlight more amazing social entrepreneurs is important so that we continue with that impact-led support for all social organisations.”
One of the night’s guest speakers included nine-time paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft (pictured below). Cockcroft, a wheelchair athlete holding the world record in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m was interviewed on-stage at the event.
She is an accessibility advisor at a business consultancy where she works with brands to help them better understand and communicate with underrepresented consumers.
When asked for a piece of advice for social entrepreneurs in the room, she said: “My biggest piece of advice would be, if you are trying to solve something that is really focusing on one group of people, get that group of people involved.”
Papworth said: “At Social & Community Capital, we’re proud to stand alongside this movement – supporting, learning from, and championing the incredible work being done across the UK. Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and nominees. Your impact reaches far beyond this room.”
And the winners are...
Pioneering Newcomer
For a social business start-up (up to five years trading) with a clear mission and entrepreneurial flair, who can demonstrate positive growth and impact, as well as great promise for the future. Supported by Buzzacott.
Winner:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Eddie Finch, Hugh Swainson, Emily Thompson, Erin Larmour, Laura Johnston and Becky Webb-Peploe from Buzzacott.
Standing Tall, started in autumn 2020, helps homeless people find stability by matching them with jobs and assisting them in finding safe homes. Operating in eight major cities throughout England, Standing Tall is working to end homelessness across the UK while changing negative perceptions about people facing difficult situations on the streets.
The organisation claims that four out of five people it supports remain off of the streets and in the same job a year later because of its three-pronged model: it matches candidates to a job, then matches them with an ‘Amici host’ to live with and finally – six months later – supports them to find independent housing.
Pioneers Post associate editor Anna Patton relayed comments of the judges from the Buzzacott team, who couldn’t attend the event. The judges said they were struck by the passion and drive of the founder.
They also noted the strong structure of the organisation, with a board of trustees that would ensure mission-driven, sustainable growth.
Impact Management Pioneer
For enterprises that take considerable measures to manage, demonstrate and communicate the social and environmental impact and value of their business, using this to improve their performance and win new business. Supported by Impact Reporting.
Winner:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Catherine Manning, Matt Hawarth, Ben White, Kübra Höke and Ed Cox from Impact Reporting.
Noise Solution uses one-on-one mentoring to support vulnerable young people through the power of music. Musician mentors pair up with young people who are at risk of exclusion or are dealing with mental health challenges. Together, they co-create unique music all while documenting the progress in digital stories for celebration later. This is the second time that Noise Solution has won this award.
- Listen to Noise Solution’s Simon Glenister explain how the social enterprise uses AI to drive positive impact in our Good Experts podcast: How to do AI – the social enterprise way
Simon Glenister, CEO of Noise Solution, said after accepting the award: “We focus on impact management so much because it solves every problem we have, literally. It gives us the guardrails to understand what we do, how we can be better at it, how we can communicate that message to other people.”
Diversity Pioneer
For social enterprises leading by example and inspiring others to embed equity, equality, diversity and inclusion into their organisations and their work in local communities. Supported by the Social Investment Business.
Winner:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Tim Soule and Angela Liaquat from Social Investment Business.
Sirlute’s mission is to empower young people from underserved communities through a variety of creative learning programmes. The black-led, working class-founded charity offers programmes in music, game design, multimedia and fashion for young people who have had little opportunity in creative fields due to inequality, a lack of accessibility or social exclusion.
The judges from Social Investment Business highlighted how many of the staff and facilitators are former programme participants which creates a “powerful cycle of empowerment”.
They added: “Their commitment to DEI practices are an example to us all and it’s clearly helping those often forgotten by society.”
JR Josephs, founder of Sirlute, said: “These awards are amazing. But for me, it's just about doing the work. We're making sure that we're providing opportunities. When I was younger, I would have loved something like what we're doing, and that's it. I try to create something for my younger self.”
He went on to thank the members of his team: “with these guys, they help us to design and steer the programmes that we're actually delivering.
- Listen to JR Josephs on our Good Ideas podcast: Good Ideas: The London music studio giving young people hope, confidence and community
Climate Pioneer
For pioneering organisations leading by example and inspiring others to work against climate change and towards a greener, more resilient future. Supported by Hogan Lovells.
Winner:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Bryony Widdup and Rita Hunter from Hogan Lovells.
Edinburgh Remakery reduces e-waste by refurbishing donated tech and then redistributing it to people facing digital poverty. In 2024, Edinburgh Remakery calculated that it prevented 47 tonnes of e-waste from going to landfill and gifting almost 300 devices to individuals and community organisations.
Through repairing and reusing tech, Edinburgh Remakery extends the lifespans of electronics. And by offering workshops, it provides a space for others to incorporate sustainable practices into their own lives.
Elaine Brown, Edinburgh Remakery’s CEO, was named Environmental Champion at the WISE100 awards in 2022.
- Explore Elaine Brown’s advice on how to embed environmental action into every social enterprise in our WISE Ways to Lead webinar
Helen Taylor from the Carbon Literacy Project, last year’s winner, presented the award.
In a statement, the judges, who could not attend in person, said: “We really liked how Edinburgh Remakery combines environmental and social benefits in relation to a critical day-to-day need. We are all reliant on technology and providing access to recycled tech is innovative and plugs a societal gap while helping to minimise negative environmental impacts.”
Brown said: “We very rarely talk about recycling. Repair and reuse is how we're going to meet our carbon objectives.”
Social Investment Pioneer
For groundbreaking or innovative deals, programmes or funds in social / impact investment. Supported by Good Finance.
Winner:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Annie Constable, Olivia McLoughlin and Melanie Mills from Better Society Capital and Tracy Thomson, Victoria Papworth, Brendan Hegarty and Rhea Patel from NatWest Social & Community Capital.
Charity Bank, established in 2002, is focused on supporting charities and social enterprises by providing loans to impact-driven organisations across the UK. Charity Bank assesses companies for how they are addressing today’s pressing issues, serving organisations that are working towards lasting social impacts.
The judges commented: “What we really liked about Charity Bank’s Brighter Futures Fund was that it is a way that the bank is reinvesting some of its profits alongside some other money as a donor advised fund to be able to reach communities that are the ones that struggle to access finance – we know that that's a real challenge.”
Social Business Pioneer
For established social ventures (trading for at least five years) that have experienced positive financial growth and delivered strong social impact over the past year, thanks to an entrepreneurial and sustainable business model. Supported by Buzzacott.
Winners:
Highly Commended:
The judges for this category were Eddie Finch, Hugh Swainson, Emily Thompson, Erin Larmour, Laura Johnston and Becky Webb-Peploe from Buzzacott.
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is a social enterprise that manages public service facilities including leisure centres, libraries and cultural venues. GLL aims to help the UK become more active, empowering people to lead healthy lifestyles while also providing employment, educational and training opportunities.
Beginning in 1993, the organisation now manages almost 400 public service facilities across the UK and employs more than 10,000 staff.
GLL won the SE100 Storyteller Award in 2020.
Pioneers Post editor Julie Pybus relayed comments of the judges from the Buzzacott team, who couldn’t attend the event. The judges said GLL remained one of the best established social businesses in the country, having overcome the challenges of the pandemic and once again thriving as a business in a low-margin sector.
Philip Donnay, deputy CEO of GLL, said GLL started as a small enterprise in Greenwich more than 30 years ago, and over the years expanded, now running 260 leisure businesses across the UK.
He pointed out that other social enterprises shouldn’t doubt their ability to grow. He said: “You can all aspire to be as big as you want. We didn't start thinking that we were going to be that big and have that reach. But we do it because we've got that passion. We do it because we've got those values in us that says we can make a difference.”
Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) provides support for older and vulnerable people through delivering meals and company. HILS is the UK’s largest charitable meals on wheels provider, but the organisation also provides home-based exercise programmes, wellbeing support and dementia support.
Over 18,000 people are supported by HILS annually. HILS said that 86% of those people felt less lonely because of the services HILS offer.
HILS was named Impact Management Champion at the SE100 awards in 2021.
Pybus said the judges were impressed by HILS’s diversified income model and strong social mission, and how it continues to invest in staff, innovate through challenges and deliver high quality, person-centred care.
HILS CEO, Sarah Wren, said: “We've expanded to meet needs, and we absolutely love doing it. Social enterprise is the answer for so many social issues.”
Judges were impressed with how many initiatives beyond meals on wheels that HILS offers to help elderly people live independently with dignity, including nutrition and wellbeing support, home-based exercise, dementia care, hospital discharge packs, Community Hubs, and advocacy.
They added: “HILS is a resilient, growing social enterprise that supported over 18,500 people last year through meals on wheels and a wide range of wraparound services. While many providers have withdrawn, HILS has expanded into West Sussex and Hampshire, strengthened financial sustainability, and transitioned to a more efficient kitchen-cooked model—cutting costs and reducing its carbon footprint.”
Pioneering Leader
For social enterprise bosses demonstrating excellent leadership, effectiveness and inspiration in taking the team on a mission-driven journey to success. Supported by the Good Leaders Podcast.
Winner:
Debbie Douglas, All Together Edinburgh
Highly Commended:
Cat Hyde, Seagulls Re-use
Dr Shantanu Kundu, Be Free Campaign
The judges for this category were June O’Sullivan from London Early Years Foundation, Rhea Patel from NatWest Social & Community Capital/On Purpose and Tim West from Pioneers Post.
Debbie Douglas is the CEO of All Together Edinburgh, a social enterprise supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism. The organisation, started in 2010, provides training and work opportunities to help people facing barriers to employment build confidence and practical skills.
Award-winning social entrepreneur June O’Sullivan, CEO of LEYF, joining remotely, said: “The three things that are always emerging at different stages [of a social business leader’s journey] are the balance between commercial acumen, business discipline and social purpose. I think, in looking for a leader, you're looking at where people are along that journey and how they balance it out.”
She added: “There was something special about Debbie and the way she approached things. And I was very taken by the fact that she had creativity, and she also had energy… I definitely got that sense of commitment and a strong business sense.”
Debbie Douglas, CEO of All Together Edinburgh, said: “There's just many, many challenges… but we're building a network with lots of other like-minded organisations, and it's working.”
Closing the awards, Papworth said: “We need to remain bold in redesigning the world that we live in and the world that we create.”
You can read more about the NatWest SE100 in our SE100 Collection.
More questions? Read the NatWest SE100 Criteria and FAQ – or get in touch via SE100@pioneerspost.com
Header image: The award winners and highly commended at the SE100 2025 event in Manchester. Event photography by social enterprise Saz Media.
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The NatWest SE100 Index and Social Business Awards is an annual programme created and delivered by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital - and supported by Buzzacott, Hogan Lovells, Good Finance, Social Investment Business and Impact Reporting. The programme aims to list, celebrate and learn from the UK’s 100 most impressive social enterprises every year.
