Member Article

'The Apprentice' winner backs social enterprise

The first winner of The Apprentice has called for all companies to put some profit towards social and environmental goals. Businessman and former reality TV star Tim Campbell made the call when launching the Social Enterprise Ambassadors Programme in London yesterday. The Government-funded ambassadors programme is designed to foster a culture of social enterprise – where profit-making businesses put the bulk of their profits towards social or environmental goals.

Seven publicly-known ambassadors were named at the launch, including Mr Campbell, founder of the Big Issue John Bird, and CEO of Cafedirect Penny Newman – and a further twenty are still to be hired.

Tim Campbell said: “Business is the motor of change and the best way to solve many of the social issues we face in this country. Though many companies are already doing amazing things to fight social injustice there is room for so much more. “The social enterprise business model can turn capitalism into a genuine force for good.”

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “I am convinced that the people best placed to champion social enterprise are social entrepreneurs themselves. I have met and worked with social entrepreneurs and I know that many of them are talented, motivated, dynamic and inspiring people, and I can’t think of any better advertisement for the sector.”

A further 20 ambassadors are to be recruited over the next month. They will inspire budding social entrepreneurs and raise awareness of social enterprise as both a viable business model and fulfilling career choice. They will be expected to commit to around 12 days a year for the next three years. Their duties will include speaking to the media, attending events, inspiring new entrants to the sector and winning over key professionals.

Application packs for those wishing to become ambassadors can be downloaded from www.socialenterprise.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .