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).

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

£22,221 to £25,472 p.a. pro-rata 21 Hours/Week - Permanent

 Co-operative and Community Finance provide loan finance for co-operatives and community businesses. We are the longest established Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) in the UK, successfully combining risk lending with financial sustainability.

We are looking for a new Financial Administrator to join our Bristol office and provide accounting, administrative and clerical support to the staff team within a social finance lending environment.

From our Head Office in central Bristol you will be at the heart of the organisation and the CDFI industry, and have an important role within the co-operative movement. You will be central to the delivery of our service package and administrative and information systems to the staff team, the Board of Trustees, borrowers and client organisations.

 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.