Social Enterprise Development Awards
In November, On Purpose was one of 60 social enterprises recognised as growing social enterprises by Santander at its inaugural Social Enterprise Development Awards (SEDA).
The SEDA are part of Santander’s commitment to supporting small businesses in the UK and were created to help established social enterprises with two or more years of trading with the potential to increase their impact but in need of a financial boost. The awards target social enterprises looking to improve their local community by improving social inclusion; supporting skills, training and employment; or creating a greener environment. There are three prize levels — £50,000, £30,000 or £15,000 — dependent on turnover, and in June social enterprises were invited to enter the competition with details of their development plans and how an award could support the growth of the business.
Tom Rippin, CEO of On Purpose, said “We are proud to be part of the first national group of SEDA winners and very much look forward to the business support programme. The award will help us to increase our impact in London and then move beyond to a second city”.
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Tom Rippin, CEO of On Purpose[/caption]
In addition to the financial prize, winners also receive a package of business development support, including a local Santander Relationship Manager allocated to the organisation and access to a business consultancy service.
On Purpose Associates, Saskia Green, Evgenia Sivtsova and I have been working with Santander’s Corporate Social Responsibility team on the SEDA, in particular on developing an impact assessment model and formalising the business support package. Having gained an insight into the support for the SEDA programme internally at Santander, it will be interesting to follow the success of the awards and the development of all the winners but especially On Purpose. And, if you think you know where the next On Purpose city will be, send us your comments below!
