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Launch of Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney

Special evening reception for pioneering social entrepreneurs

18th September saw launch celebration of our new programme Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney

Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney is a free programme of support to co-operatives and social enterprises which are doing business for good in Hackney. Supporting start-up, growth and management change, Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney is growing the locally-owned social economy in our borough by providing direct bespoke support to some of Hackney's most exciting and innovative businesses that are trading to achieve a social or environmental purpose.

This special evening reception was held on Thursday 18th September from 6.00pm and hosted by the programme's sponsor, UBS, at 1Finsbury Avenue, London, EC2M 2PP.

Our Speakers included

  • Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney who spoke about the role social enterprise plays in the borough.
  • Ed Mayo, our keynote speaker, is Secretary General of Co-operatives UK and former director of the New Economics Foundation. Ed talked about the importance of local ownership in the social economy and its effects in building economic resilience within communities.
  • Nick Temple from Social Enterprise UK discussed the national Buy Social campaign which is promoting the role of consumer power in growing the social economy.
  • Dominic Ellison, Chief Executive of HCD, who spoke of the importance of expert advice to the growth of the social economy

 

There were also opportunities to hear from some of the many inspiring organisations that have already accessed support from Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney and to meet the team who are delivering the programme.

Over 30 of the area’s most innovative and inspiring co-operatives and social enterprises turned out to network with each other and key figures from London Borough Hackney’s commissioning departments, funders such as Trust for London and social economy infrastructure organisations, both local and national.


The event was a catalyst for effective new connections, including trading relationships between members; and new funding and finance arrangements. Feedback from the event showed that there is real enthusiasm for HCD’s role as an effective network builder for Hackney’s social enterprise pioneers. We will enhance this role by running future events with partners such as Co-operatives London. The success of the network will help us build awareness ahead of the launch in 2015 of a Pioneering Social Enterprise in Hackney quality mark, to identify and promote genuine co-operatives and social enterprises, owned by and working for Hackney’s communities.