31 January 2010

Holbrook opens Voice10 with calls for significant growth in social enterprise

Peter Holbrook, the CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition, called for a commitment from the next Government to increase the contribution of social enterprises from 1% to 3% of GDP by 2020 at Voice10, the Coalition's annual conference for social enterprise.

Voice10, taking place in Cardiff from 1-2 February, is run by the Social Enterprise Coalition, the national body for social enterprise. The Welsh Assembly Government is the principal sponsor of the conference.

Holbrook said: "It's nothing less than a fact that the UK will be stronger with a larger and more powerful social enterprise movement. This is a target that we can reach if social enterprises are supported, and I would ask any leader who wants to see social and environmental return embedded more firmly in the economy to take this challenge seriously."

He continued, "While it is an amazing accomplishment that social enterprise enjoys support from all three political parties, now we must convince them take action so social enterprise can fulfill its full potential."

The call for the increase in GDP is part of the Coalition's Manifesto, to be released February 16. Holbrook's speech led off day one of Voice10, and he was followed by speakers Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, John Bird, founder and editor-in-chief of the Big Issue Magazine, and Mikel Lezamiz, director of Spain's Cooperative Dissemination, Mondragon Corporacion.

Holbrook was introduced by the chair of the Coalition, Claire Dove, who welcomed delegates to Cardiff by reflecting on the long tradition of social enterprise in Wales: "Social enterprise has an impressive history in Wales, and some of the country's most inspirational and dynamic social enterprise are right here. However, it's the future that looks especially bright for social enterprises in Wales, and being here at the start of a year that is going to bring fresh challenges and opportunities feels right." 

Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, who also spoke at the first day of the conference, said "It has been a great pleasure to welcome the social enterprise sector to Cardiff and Wales. We have a thriving social enterprise sector and I am proud to be part of showcasing it to the rest of the UK."

 NOTES TO EDITORS

• For further information or interview requests, please contact Caroline Borge, senior press officer at the Social Enterprise Coalition at caroline.borge@socialenterprise.org.uk or 020 7793 2318 or 07743 693 040.

• Voice10 is principally sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government and sponsors include the Department of Health and NatWest. It is in association with Department of Children, Schools and Families, the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Office of the Third Sector.

• The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise. As the voice for the sector, the Coalition provides a platform for showcasing the benefits of social enterprise while supporting and representing the work of its varied members, influencing national policy and promoting best practice. http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/

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