Social Enterprise Malcolm Williamson, Head of Enterprise Support Services
Supporting Social Enterprise at the University of Northampton
O
n 12 June 2012 at a VIP Reception held in London and attended by over 100 policy makers, entrepreneurs and investors, Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of The University of
Northampton announced
something unique for a UK university – the launch of a national business support service for social enterprises, Inspire2Enterprise.
Last year, the University set out its mission to be the number one University for social enterprise by 2015. Fundamental to this ambition is a commitment to entrench social enterprise in all aspects of its’ day- to-day activities; underpinning an ethos and rigour that visibly demonstrates and reinforces the University’s credentials in this area. Through embedding social enterprise, the ambition is to be recognised as the ‘go to’ university brand nationally and internationally for this subject area.
Inspire2Enterprise as a whole is the University’s key external initiative -
a unique service provided by the University and delivered by Exemplas, which offers
government, local authorities and the wider public sector look to social enterprises for new ways to address social challenges and achieve greater social and economic value. Increasingly, the private sector also recognises the benefits associated with social enterprise, with many organisations now beginning to invest in social enterprises as a means of contributing or ‘giving back’ to society, thereby deriving a demonstrable social, as well as a financial return on corporate investment.
However, many social enterprises have struggled with accessing affordable, qualified, practical support, particularly during the key phases of enterprise start-up and growth.
free-to-
access support to the UK’s social enterprise sector. It is the first national business support service ever to be provided by a University. It is also the first national business support service that is run as a business.
Social enterprises number at around 62,000, employing 800,000 people nationwide and contribute at least £24bn to the UK economy.
In the coming years the sector stands to benefit as central
56 entrepreneurcountry
There has not been a dedicated ‘one stop’ service for the sector that provides an accessible, comprehensive range of specialist advice, research and intelligence, and training. Following an initial service pilot undertaken in the Eastern Region, the Inspire2Enterprise service was extended throughout the UK on 12 June 2012 and today provides the crucial support the sector needs to
meet the expectations and challenges it faces.
During these challenging economic times, supporting social enterprise is essential for both regional and national prosperity and, critically, for ensuring the significant social impact and related benefits associated with the
work
undertaken by social enterprises continues. The universally
positive feedback received from Inspire2Enterprise clients to date demonstrates the extent of the market need, and is testament to the quality,
and effectiveness of the service provided.
What’s more, Inspire2Enterprise provide a remote based information, advice and specialist support service,
it also works
with key stakeholders who are looking to the social enterprise sector to help deliver outsourced services, and through its unique national market position, also develops products and services to support enterprise development and facilitate strategic market breakthroughs.
The University of Northampton’s Vice Chancellor,
Nick Petford,
explains, “In addition to directly supporting our students and staff to learn about, set up and run social enterprises, we are investing in selected social enterprises directly, and supporting the entire sector.”
For more information visit: www.
inspire2enterprise.org or contact the Inspire2Enterprise team on: 0844 9800 760
appropriateness
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