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.”
Social Firms UK Chair, Simon Hebditch, said “It is with great regret that the board accepted Sally’s resignation last week. She has proved herself to be a committed and passionate CEO, combining ability and integrity with a conviction that the sector can deliver social value in the most meaningful of ways, combining business with both financial and social returns. We wish her the very best in the self employed role she will take up next year.”
Notes:
1. Sally Reynolds is a co-founder of Social Firms UK and has been Chief Executive since January 2004. She is a Council member of the Social Enterprise Coalition, Secretary General of Social Firms Europe CEFEC and on the board of ENSIE (European Network of Social Integration Enterprises), on the board of partners Social Firms Wales and Social Firms Scotland and several Social Firm companies including Chair of Travel Matters and Netherne Printing Services. She’s on the CREATE Consortium lobbying for adoption of the Community Allowance, is a non-executive director for REalliance, an RSA Fellow, Full Member of ACEVO and BAP Fellow and board member.
2. Social Firms UK is the national support agency for one type of social enterprise committed to employing people at greatest disadvantage in the labour market. At least 25% of a Social Firm’s workforce is severely disadvantaged because, for example, they have a learning disability, mental health problem, a prison record or a history of homelessness or drug or alcohol misuse.
3. Social Firms are market-led companies that generate at least 50% of their income through trade, reinvesting profits to create more jobs. Social Firms operate in a wide range of commercial sectors; see www.justbuy.org.uk for details. Since 1999 the number of Social Firms has increased from 5 to over 180 and collectively they now employ over 2000 people, 51% of whom face major labour market disadvantage.
4. Social Firms UK has estimated that the sector helps to save over £40m a year in welfare benefits and around £8m in health care costs.