Social Enterprise Network is joining forces with new Liverpool think tank Incubator of Change to host the event at the Liverpool Medical Institute on Friday, March 24. Tony McDonough reports.

Leading local figures from the worlds of business, academia, politics and charity will come together in Liverpool for a half day of “lightning talks” on the social economy.

Social Enterprise Network (SEN) is joining forces with new Liverpool think tank Incubator of Change (IOC) to host the Social Innovation Forum on Friday, March 24.

Held at the Liverpool Medical Institute on Mount Pleasant, the forum will comprise 12 short talks on different aspects of the social economy.

Topics will include innovation in business, the economic theories behind social enterprise and the data-driven future of the urban landscape.

Starting at 9am and finishing at 1pm, the talks will all be between 10 and 15 minutes in length.

Speakers will include Walton Labour MP and Metro Mayor candidate, Steve Rotheram; Stuart Wilks Heeg from the University of Liverpool, who will talk about the rise of populist politics; and Sally Anne Watkiss from Homebaked Community Bakery, talking about the growth of social enterprise.

James Noakes, director of IOC, said: “We’ve put together a fantastic line-up of interesting speakers, all with different perspectives on the future of social economy work, how it impacts on Liverpool, and the challenges that we’re all going to need to face up to in the years to come.

“Whether it’s global issues like Brexit of Donald Trump, or local issues like planning applications and pie shops, the Social Innovation Forum has it all.”

Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite at just £15 early bird – click here.