Published: November 23, 2018
More than 130 of Birmingham’s social enterprise leaders have attended a major networking event to recognise Birmingham being granted ‘Social Enterprise City’ status.
Birmingham, which is the largest UK city to have been given the accolade, was officially awarded the recognition by Social Enterprise UK, the UK’s leading voice for social enterprises, following an application spearheaded by Birmingham-based social enterprise experts, iSE.
The iSE led networking event featured speeches from Sarah Crawley, iSE CEO, Claire Dove, the Crown Representative for the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Sector, Peter Holbrook CBE, Social Enterprise UK CEO, and Margaret Willis, Unity Trust Bank CEO.
Sarah Crawley, CEO of iSE, speaking at the event, said: “iSE are delighted to be part of a city-wide partnership to make Birmingham an even better place for social entrepreneurs and change-makers. Social Enterprise City status has given us the opportunity to collaborate on an ambitious strategy to help ensure Birmingham’s future as a centre for social enterprise”.
Margaret Willis, CEO, Unity Trust Bank, added: “As a bank which lends to businesses and organisations who want to make a social difference, this event was an important milestone in the city’s development. We were delighted to have supported iSE in their quest to showcase all that is great about social enterprises in Birmingham.”
The event was held on Social Enterprise Day (15 November) in the new premises of Birmingham-based Unity Trust Bank, a commercial bank with a social conscience who helps businesses and organisations to prosper and contribute to economic, community and social change.
To see photographs from the event, click here.
