Issue #7: Has politics fallen out of love with social enterprise?

Pioneers Post Quarterly 7

Below you'll find the digital edition of Pioneers Post Quarterly. We got up close and personal with minister for civil society Rob Wilson to find out what's changed since his department moved from the Cabinet Office to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

We also took a look at the history of the relationship between politics and social enterprise in order to conider the question on our cover. Several notable social enterprise leaders weighed into the discussion too.

There's also a big section on the winners of the NatWest Social Business Awards. Sometimes wildly different in the work they do, they all make a considerable social impact and are part of the new breed of business with purpose.

Elsewhere in the issue we had the lovely experience of being sung to by a chief executive – Fraser Kelly of Social Enterprise Scotland. We ticked off the Netherlands in our Global Focus section too.

We also let you know how you can be a social investor and take a look at the pensions company that is leading the way when it comes to impact investing. There's plenty to get your teeth into, so feast away!

  • Cover feature: Has politics fallen out of love with social enterprise? History shows a close association between the two but is it still as close?
  • Global Focus: Social enterprise in the Netherlands is anything but flat.
  • The Black Cab Interviews: The boss of Social Enterprise Scotland takes us on a tour of Glasgow and sings us a song.
  • NatWest Social Business Awards: Eight of the most amazing, astounding, inspiring social enterprises and their stories.
  • Investor Profile: Meet the pension fund manager who is making the money do good work.
  • PLUS: A closer look at leadership, how anyone can be a social investor and the man making gigs affordable again by taking on the ticket touts.

Global Focus: The Netherlands

One of the most populous countries in the world has seen an explosion in social enterprises in the last few years. Mark Hillen and Stefan Panhuijsen of Social Enterprise NL explain why.

Challenging Leadership_Terri McBride_On Purpose

Challenging Leadership: redefining success

Is the goal rather than your commitment the problem? In a new series scrutinising key challenges that social enterprise leaders face, Terri McBride shares how she and her colleagues have helped senior staff reflect upon and realign their aims to get results.

Investor Profile: Tim Macready

Impact investing will only truly be impactful when really significant funds are committed to it. Australian pension provider Christian Super aims to convince other investors to follow its lead. 

The counter-revolution starts here

James Perry is revolting against shareholder capitalism. It’s killing us and it’s time to change, he says. A proposal to introduce a new type of company in England – the benefit company – could be the first step towards a world with less inequality, a halt to climate change and fewer people fleeing disaster.