Social Firms UK

 At an EGM yesterday, members of Social Firms UK passed a special resolution that enables the national support agency to represent all employability-focused social enterprises across the UK, including Social Firms. In European speak, these social enterprises are termed ‘WISEs’ (Work Integration Social Enterprises) and, recognising that there is not significant awareness of this terminology, Social Firms UK will also refer to them as ‘employability-focused social enterprises’ which explains more succinctly what they are. All Full Members already fall into this category and many Associate Members are more broadly engaged with work integration activities of disadvantaged people (their activities might include intermediate labour market, vocational training, job placement, volunteering and, in the case of Social Firms, job creation).

 The Social Firms UK Board has appointed Michele Rigby as the organisation’s new Chief Executive. Michele is currently Chief Executive of SEEE, the East of England’s social enterprise support agency and will take up the post from January 2012. Michele replaces Sally Reynolds, co-founder of Social Firms UK and its Chief Executive since 2004, who decided to leave due to exceptional personal circumstances.

Simon Hebditch, Chair of the Board of Social Firms UK, said today:-

'I am delighted to announce that Michele Rigby, currently Chief Executive of SEEE, has been chosen as the next Chief Executive of Social Firms UK. She has worked long and hard in the social enterprise sector and we are confident that she will make a major contribution to the organisation in the next few years.

 This highly dynamic small charity (see www.socialfirmsuk.co.uk) and respected umbrella support organisation for Social Firms and Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) across the UK needs a new Chief Executive.

Positive and strategic thinkers required in this ever challenging environment. Social Firms and Work Integration Social Enterprises are rooted in the rapidly growing social enterprise sector and as one of the national support agencies we have a huge and vital job to do.

Apply if you’ve got the right attitude, skills and the flair of an entrepreneur and a leader and if you believe in the principle that everyone should have the opportunity to be employed, irrespective of their disability or disadvantage.

Social Firms UK is an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcomes applications from individuals from under-represented groups.

The board of Social Firms UK have announced they have reluctantly accepted the resignation of CEO, Sally Reynolds, who will step down at the end of the year. Sally has been committed to the sector since the inception of Social Firms UK in 1999 and as co-founder has worked tirelessly to champion fair employment opportunities for the most disadvantaged in society.

Reynolds stated “Social Firms UK is at a very exciting point in its development as an organisation. We have a highly capable, competent and committed staff team and a strong board – because of this I have no qualms about handing the reins over to someone else to lead it into the future. Unfortunately, exceptional personal circumstances means that I am no longer in a position to continue in this full time post.”