Look for the Social Enterprise Mark

We are the only UK and international body to independently prove that a business is putting people and planet alongside profit.

Our research tells us that people would rather buy from a company that is giving back to society too.

The Social Enterprise Mark makes it easy to show this.

REGISTER for the Social Enterprise Mark

Being certified with the Social Enterprise Mark is the only independent proof that your business is not only good for your customers but good for society too. It’s instant credibility that you’re a guaranteed social enterprise, committed to reinvesting at least 50% of your profits back towards your social purpose.

Make it easy for your customers to see you deliver social value – get assessed for the Social Enterprise Mark.

Social enterprises work in many different industries, from recycling to housing, to health and care, to transport, to culture and leisure. They achieve great things but many people are not aware of this and have yet to learn of their value in today’s society.

Customers are demanding a different way of doing business and are looking for labels to help them make the right choices. ICM research revealed 74% of customers* would rather buy from a company that makes decisions based on concern for society and the environment. Now that’s where the Mark can make a big difference to your buying decisions. You can use it to identify businesses committed to trading for people and planet, just follow the link to find these businesses near you{link to google map}.

The Social Enterprise Mark is confirmation that these organisations have been independently assessed and have passed defined criteria for social enterprise. You can help the Social Enterprise Mark to become as widely recognised as Fairtrade is now after 25 years. The Mark is telling the story of businesses that make a real difference to society. They strive to make profits to fulfil their social aims, rather than making profits for owners or shareholders.

*Research carried out by ICM Researchand published by RISE in 2009.

With a wide range of supporters and key influencers in National and Local government, as well as innovators from the private sector, people see the social enterprise way of doing business as key to creating solutions for BIG society.

88.2% of commissioners* said that (assuming other contract requirements were met) they would prefer a bidder that has a public service ethos. Decision-makers want to work with and procure from social enterprises, but until now have not been able to easily identify them. This is where the Mark can help – our searchable directory{link} of Mark holders lists social enterprises working in many different industries, from recycling to housing, to health and care, to transport, to culture and leisure.

We are

• striving to learn the lessons from the Fairtrade journey and hope to echo its growth
• partnering with business innovators such as O2 and the Local Data Company to bring the Mark holders to a much wider audience.
• looking for exciting collaborations and opportunities to extend the reach of the Social Enterprise Mark. Perhaps its you?

*Research carried out by ICM Research and published by RISE in 2009.