Jonathan Bland is stepping down as CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition in October
Response from the sector:
‘The CEO of SEC should be the most sought after job in the country for anyone interested in shifting the power dynamics of economics in this country’
Liam Black. He has ‘categorically’ ruled himself out of the running for the ‘tough gig’ saying he is not a ‘unity candidate’ who could balance the competing interests of a coalition.
‘Obviously, the new CEO will come with their own vision for the organisation and their own leadership style. However, my key advice would be to ask as many questions as possible (internally and externally) and, largely, to resist bold early moves. If the right person is recruited, the rest will follow, be that new innovations or more radical changes’
Alastair Wilson, in response to a question about whether he would expect a new CEO to want to shake things up.
‘We might get someone with a very different personality to Jonathan and it might be someone from the private sector – I’d be open to that and wouldn’t rule it out’
Antonia Swinson, in response to a question about the possibility of someone from a non-third-sector background taking up the role. Her willingness to consider that option was echoed by all the other commentators.
‘Jonathan won’t be easy to replace. He’s been formidable in the way he’s taken forward the growing recognition of the sector’
Steve Wyler. He said the new CEO must continue to work on the programmes already set in train – including building awareness in the general public to match the awareness in the public sector.
Sector leaders were last week united in their praise for outgoing Social Enterprise Coalition CEO Jonathan Bland.
Bland announced on Wednesday he will be stepping down from the post in October and relocating with his family to Finland.
Commentators contacted by Social Enterprise were keen to heap praise on the helmsman of the coalition since its inception in 2002. At the same time they pointed out the difficult nature of the job and the challenges for his successor - especially the need to build a strong membership base.
Liam Black, who has been a vocal critic of the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) of late, praised Bland for leaving a ‘solid platform' while saying he would not be interested in taking up the position.
It was a comment echoed by Development Trusts Association national director Steve Wyler.
Wyler said: ‘It was very noticeable at the social enterprise summit [hosted by the business secretary Peter Mandelson and cabinet minister Liam Byrne last month]. People from across the sector were working together coming up with practical, strong, but still very aspirational proposals - it's really impressive.'
Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition (SSEC) CEO Antonia Swinson highlighted the difficult nature of running a coalition.
She said ‘it's Finland's gain really' and added that whoever was chosen would need ‘strong support' from the sector and would receive it from SSEC.
Swinson, Black and School for Social Entrepreneurs CEO Alastair Wilson all highlighted the need to develop the grass roots membership of the coalition.
Social Enterprise will feature an analysis of Bland's legacy and the challenges facing the new CEO with more from these expert commentators and others in next month's magazine. For a three month free trial click here.
To read more about Bland's resignation, click here.
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