Social enterprise

At Ernst & Young we believe Social enterprise is a new way to do business and one which will drive the change that society needs. To recognise the continued development and growth in this sector, our Entrepreneur Of The Year programme has an award category that celebrates exceptional social enterprise entrepreneurs and provides a platform to demonstrate their value to the economy and society as a whole. Many of our past winners in this category have gone on to become household names. We also support this sector through our Accelerate network, which provides opportunities for social enterprises to access thought leadership, network with their peers, grow their business and ultimately realise their social mission.

Why enter?

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those business leaders who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic social enterprises through regional, national and global award programmes in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

• Raise your profile in your region and the UK, as you progress through the programme.
• Make connections with mainstream businesses and explore how they purchase goods and services.
• Gain access to our elite Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni community and network with some of the best and brightest brains in the world.
• Access thought leadership and attend exclusive, invitation only events.

UK Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Social enterprise finalists were responsible for combined annual revenue of £125m.

“The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is a great opportunity for you to take time out from the day job and pitch yourself up against the best of your peers. Challenging interviews and presentations, ‘speed pitching’ to accomplished entrepreneurs and good and interesting company and fascinating people make up this roller coaster of an awards process. Great challenge and great fun - highly recommended.”

Mark Sesnan, GLL
UK winner 2012 and 2013 UK Judge

GLL is a staff-owned charitable social enterprise that primarily operates more than 100 community leisure facilities for public bodies. Mark has worked for GLL since its formation in 1993.

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“Entrepreneur Of The Year is a real entrepreneurs’ award, designed for the genuine benefit of all those who apply and respected by business, government and entrepreneurs alike, and from the moment we won to playing a role as a judge the year after it was clear the award’s success is based on its insight, support and love of the entrepreneur. Now, nearly five years after first opening its doors to us, Ernst & Young and the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are still opening doors for us.”

Sam Conniff, Livity
UK winner 2011 and London and South Judge 2012 & 2013

Livity is a youth engagement agency in which Sam co-founded with Michelle Clothier over 10 years ago. Livity's clients include the likes of; C4, Legacy Trust, Google, NHS and Penguin.

Entry criteria for social enterprises

• The business leader will run a social enterprise that trades for social and/or environmental purposes.
• As with all businesses, the social enterprise competes to deliver goods and services but is distinctive because its social and/or environmental purpose is absolutely central to what it does.
• The social enterprise is a viable trading organisation and needs to make a profit to be sustainable. It is not driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. Its profits are reinvested in the business or are invested in the community to sustain and further their mission for positive change.
• Importantly, it does not rely on income from grants, donations or other charitable sources.
• The business leader should have the passion, vision and the drive to succeed. They should be a compelling leader who embodies entrepreneurial spirit and who isn’t afraid to take risks to drive their business forward.
• The business leader needs to be responsible for their company’s success and will have been in post a minimum of two years as of 1 January 2013.
• The business must be based or have their chief operations in the UK and be incorporated for two years as of 1 January 2013.

Some of our alumni include:

		Mark Sesnan of GLL - UK winner 2012, UK Judge 2013
		Sam Conniff and Michelle Clothier of Livity - UK winner 2011
		Sophi Tranchell of Divine Chocolate - UK winner 2010 and UK judge 2012
		Charlie Millar of Cassiltoun Housing Association - Regional winner 2012
		Karen Lowthrop of Hill Holt Wood - Regional winner 2011
		Susan Aktemel of Impact Arts - Regional winner 2011