‘Let’s Do Business Group’ is a social enterprise that works to provide overall business support to the South East of England. The group has been recognised as a leading social business, winning the Growth Champion Award in the national 2016 NatWest SE100 Awards, announced on the 19th January 2017. The social enterprise is headed up […]
‘Let’s Do Business Group’ is a social enterprise that works to provide overall business support to the South East of England. The group has been recognised as a leading social business, winning the Growth Champion Award in the national 2016 NatWest SE100 Awards, announced on the 19th January 2017. The social enterprise is headed up by Graham Marley, who also happens to be the NEN Chairman for 2016-2018.
With its origins in Hastings over 20 years ago the Group has developed from an Enterprise Agency and town Chamber of Commerce to become a leading provider of business advice, training, access to finance and business events in the South East. As well as its work directly with businesses, the Group contracts with a range of public and private sector partners to deliver projects and contracts – worth over £10m over the last 10 years.
The Growth Champion Award is presented each year to a social venture who has experienced positive financial growth from one year to the next. The award focuses particularly on sustainable and diverse income streams coupled with a sustainable business model.
“It is always great to be recognised for an award, particularly when at a National level. I am proud of the work that the team do to help hundreds of businesses each year to start up and grow – the award is a testament to their hard work and commitment.”- Graham Marley, CEO of Let’s Do Business Group.
The NatWest SE100 Awards recognises social enterprises who have demonstrated some of the best business practice within the sector and celebrates the growth, impact, ambition and resilience of social enterprises in the UK. They were chosen from almost 1,500 social ventures on the NatWest SE100 Index – which tracks the progress and impact of social enterprises across the UK.
Rob Wilson, MP and Minister for Civil Society, supporting the awards commented: “Social Enterprises across the country are making a positive impact on our society, and it’s great that these awards have recognised the leaders in this sector across the UK. Congratulations to everyone involved. I hope their achievements will inspire others to help our communities and improve lives.”
The event saw Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, present an award and congratulate the winners on their outstanding achievements. “Social enterprises add a tremendous amount of value to both our economy and society. Their ambition and dynamism creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and provides a range of services to people across the UK. The different organisations awarded here tonight are excellent examples of how social enterprises make a real difference in our country every day.”
The awards were hosted at the NatWest/RBS conference centre in London by Simon Jacobs, Chief Administrative Officer Commercial & Private Banking at RBS, and Chair of NatWest Social & Community Capital. Julie Baker, Head of Enterprise at NatWest RBS, praised the winners for their “determination not just to make money but to make a difference.”
She told them: “We value what you do, both for the economy and for our communities. We want you to shout loud about your achievements because we want to demonstrate that social businesses are also good businesses. That’s the whole philosophy behind the NatWest SE100.”
Congratulations to the other NEN members who were also nominated at the awards, Business Enterprise Fund who are based in the North East of England, as well as North and West Yorkshire, Humberside and North Lincolnshire, and Five Lamps who are based in Stockton-on-Tees.
