Member Article

PwC invest in social entrepreneur mentors

Price Waterhouse Coopers have expanded their national network of social entrepreneur mentors.

The firm will offer five bursaries for a 12 week business skills programme, as well as 20 business mentors, through the School of Social Entrepreneurs network in Liverpool and Wigan.

Two of the students will be aged between 16-25, and will be supported through a dedicated young social entrepreneur programme.

Recent research from PwC shows that a wave of social enterprise could capitalise on consumer appetite for local business to scale up social enterprise across the UK.

2000 consumers were surveyed, and the majority thought businesses with a social purpose could be more effective in supporting their local economy than government.

This was particularly prevalent in the North West, where 58% of respondents believed this to be the case.

Stephanie Hyde, PwC head of regions, said the spirit and drive of social entrepreneurs needed to be matched with hardnosed business experience from the private and public sectors.

She said: “Mentoring social entrepreneurs locally can help speed up the development of the sector nationwide.

“Our mentors are experienced, pragmatic people who know how to create viable businesses. It’s a fantastic opportunity to put their skills to the test in a vibrant and fast developing regional economy.”

The expansion will also encompass support for pioneering social impact measurement, helping social entrepreneurs measure and report on their businesses’ contribution to local communities and economies.

Jacquie Johnston-Lynch, owner of the Brink, a non-alcoholic bar with support centre for alcohol addiction, trained at the School of Social Entrepreneurs.

She said: “PwC’s encouragement to me personally when I was going through the School of Social Entrepreneurs was very inspiring.”

PwC’s Stephanie went on to add that social enterprises need a rigorous approach to creating a viable business plan, with the capacity to deliver profit.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .