VOICE10: 'We need a pandemic of social enterprise'

The new boss of the Social Enterprise Coalition likened the movement to an infectious disease at Voice10 today.

CEO Peter Holbrook, talking passionately about the movement he's worked in for almost a decade, said he wanted to see a pandemic of social enterprise across the world.

'We all have the bug and we need to spread it fast,' he said.

To spread this bug, Holbrook said the coalition would be creating new agendas that were dynamic, enterprising, collaborative and empowering. He also announced that SEC would develop new membership offers.

Politics would not play a huge part, he added, as both the leading political parties supported social enterprise and had them at the heart of their policies.

'The Tories have two full time researchers for social enterprise,' he said. 'We're in a great position to play a role whoever is elected. The real challenge for us and all parties is to realise our full potential.'

Holbrook called for the extension of the Department of Health's 'Right to Request' initiative to all government departments, giving everyone working in public services the opportunity to set up a social enterprise with the support they need. Tax incentives and start-up support also needed to addressed.

Recalling areas of the coalition's manifesto, due to be officially released in two weeks, he said social enterprises working in health, youth services, finance, community, regeneration, climate change and justice had 'never been so timely'.

However, he appealed to his audience to give him a little longer to perfect his 'vision' of social enterprise.

'If, after four weeks, I had a vision, I wouldn't be worthy of the job. Please be patient,' Holbrook pleaded.

Following Holbrook's introduction, third sector minister Angela Smith used her address to again stress the importance of a Social Investment Wholesale Bank - a government backed financial institution that will provide money for social investors - but added public awareness was still an issue.

'You need to be in the face of everyone you want to buy from and everyone you want to invest in you,' she said.

'We [government] are committed to helping social enterprise grow and develop.'

The opening plenary also heard from SEC chair Claire Dove, Big Issue CEO John Bird and Mikel Lezamiz, director of Spain-based multi-national co-operative Mondragon, which runs 120 co-ops and employs more than 100,000 people. You can read more about Mondragon in our Good Deals Social Investment Almanack HERE.