Social Firms UK

Following the successful launch of the Real Ideas Organisation’s (RIO’s) Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) at the House of Commons in January, its developers are on the hunt for SEQ training providers who can help them keep up with demand, by training SEQ mentors to deliver the Qualification across the UK.

The first stand-alone international qualification in Social Enterprise, SEQ is a new way to recognise and encourage young people and adults working for positive social change. By focusing on learning through doing, the Qualification develops learners’ understanding and experience of social enterprise, so that with the support of vital SEQ mentors, learners can discover how to balance people, planet and profit for themselves.

Leading sector commentator says opportunities for Employee Ownership and Social Enterprise should not be missed by Remploy

The Government announced its response to the Sayce Review this week (7 March 2012). Remploy has also responded and states that Government has accepted the recommendations of the Sayce Review.

Sally Reynolds, co-founder and former chief executive of Social Firms UK, says that she welcomes the initiative to change a model which has become outdated and unviable over time, but that valuable opportunities will be missed if a ‘straight closure approach’ is adopted. She says:

 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.