Liverpool-based Social Enterprise Network organises North West conference to bring together big players in the social enterprise sector. Tony McDonough reports.
A major North West conference to discuss how social enterprise can help fuel the Northern Powerhouse has been organised by the Liverpool-based Social Enterprise Network.
The first Northern Enterprise 2016 Conference, Exhibition and Awards is to be held at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, on October 13.
The one-day event will seek to demonstrate how the social sector can lead the Northern Powerhouse through innovation and values implicit in the social economy.
Speakers include Liverpool-born Phillip Blond of think-tank Respublica, Cliff Prior, of Big Society Capital, Rhiannon Corcoran, of The Heseltine Institute, Chris Murray, of Core Cities and former Labour Cabinet Minister Hazel Blears.
Businesses across the third, private and public sector will unite at Northern Enterprise 2016 to develop a clear strategy for mass collaboration across the social economy, put social value on the agenda of key influencers and decision-makers and provide a platform for the private sector to adopt new delivery models to include social value in their own decision-making.
Rosie Jolly, chief executive of Social Enterprise Network, said: “Northern Enterprise 2016 will bring together best practice social economy to drive the northern core cities agenda as Britain prepares for Brexit.
“Through social enterprise, collectively we can shape the changing face of the Northern Powerhouse agenda, through its ability to deliver effective and efficient social value outcomes, which will be essential to the success of devolution.”
Alongside the voices of industry pioneers, the Northern Enterprise 2016 Conference and Exhibition will feature business master classes, brokerage space, an entrepreneur’s chill-out zone, business gurus, innovation and investment hubs and a Dragons Den-style event.
Following on from the conference and exhibition will be the Northern Enterprise 2016 Awards, which recognises the achievements of those individuals and businesses that are shining beacons of social value best practice.