16 Sep 2015

State of Social Enterprise Report 2015

Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) has launched their State of Social Enterprise Report 2015. Supported by Santander, it is the most comprehensive research undertaken into the state of the sector.

The report demonstrates that social enterprises in the UK are thriving and outperforming mainstream businesses on a number of accounts including job creation, start-up rates and turnover growth. 

Peter Holbrook, CEO of SEUK, said: “The findings of this year’s State of Social Enterprise show that in a time of public sector austerity and globally networked markets, social enterprises are providing real answers to the significant social and environmental problems we all face. They are demonstrating that it is possible to do business differently: creating economic growth and jobs whilst also operating fairly and helping those people and communities most in need.”

Click here to read the report in full.

The results were taken from 1,159 telephone and online interviews with senior figures in social enterprises. Key findings show:

• The nature of the sector is changing - almost half (49%) of social enterprises are under five years old which has consequences for those seeking to support and invest in these organisations.
• Unsurprisingly funding and finance remain a key barrier for social enterprises of all sizes. Barriers continue to hamper access and navigability to social investment.
• The social enterprise sector is becoming increasingly localised and devolved despite common barriers across the UK. Start-up rates, optimism, workforce growth and accessing finance vary regionally. 
• The public sector remains a key market and source of income for the social enterprise sector, particularly for those operating in the most deprived communities. Public and social sector agencies will need to work together in a more joined-up fashion, improve the implementation of the Social Value Act and social enterprises must continue to diversify their income in order to maintain their work.  

Peter Holbrook concludes: “This report doesn’t shy away from the challenges social enterprises face but it does show a sector that is transforming how business can be done: business where everyone profits.”