Social Enterprise Mark CIC Annual Conference

Our annual conference is a must attend event for social enterprises. The event  attracts a range of audiences, including:

  • Social Enterprise Mark/Gold Mark holders – CEO/MDs, senior managers, marketing and communications staff
  • Emerging and established social enterprises
  • Charities and Third Sector
  • Public sector organisations
  • Housing associations
  • Businesses and corporations wanting to know more about social enterprises and social value
  • Policy makers, procurement officers, local authorities
  • Commissioners, health and social care organisations
  • Networking and representative bodies

In addition to plenty of networking opportunities and our annual awards celebration, we invite keynote speakers from across the social enterprise and wider business sector to provide a varied and interactive programme and to stimulate debate and shared learning.


2019 Conference

19th & 20th June 2018, Aston University, Birmingham

Our 2019 conference was hosted by Aston University in Birmingham, and supported by Bloom Procurement Services.

Social Enterprise Mark CIC conference

The theme of the conference was ‘Growth; a force for good?’. With the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer, it is clear that the current model of economic growth isn’t working for all. A 2019 Oxfam report showed that growing wealth disparity is undermining the fight against poverty and damaging global economies.

The conference challenged participants to consider alternative economic models, which address the mounting social and environmental challenges facing today’s society, to create a fairer system of growth.

Speakers included Alex Maitland of Oxfam Future Business Initiative, Megan Peat of RBS Social & Community Capital, Paul Devoy of Investors in People, Dr Pragya Agarwal, and Jeremy Nicholls of Social Value International.

Please get in touch to request a copy of the presentations from the 2019 conference.

2018 Conference

6th & 7th June 2018, York St John University

Our 2018 conference was hosted by York St John University and supported by Make an Impact CIC and Harris Accountancy CIC.

Spreading the Wealth conference sponsors

The theme of the conference was ‘Spreading the Wealth with social enterprise’, and the event challenged participants to consider how we can build a fairer society with social enterprise, using examples from across a range of sectors to stimulate discussions.

Speakers included former Minister for Health Phil Hope, founder of Partners for Possibility (South Africa) Louise van Rhyn, Leader of The World Fair Trade Organization (and former Head of Future Business Initiative of Oxfam) Erinch Sahan, and a discussion panel, including representatives from a range of organisations involved in tackling inequality, which looked at how we can address inequality to build a fairer society.


“Excellent speakers. Thought provoking – I have come away with loads of ideas that I now need to put into action.”


“A very informative and inspiring conference, very well organised, with first rate speakers.”


2017 Conference

5th & 6th June 2017, University of Winchester

Our 2017 conference was kindly hosted by University of Winchester.

The theme of the conference was about broadening horizons for social enterprise and we explored how organisations can push the boundaries of the traditional social enterprise market to create new opportunities.

The event was attended by approx. 60 people over the two days, with keynote speakers including former MP Professor John Denham and Simon Donovan of Manor House Development Trust. A cross-sector discussion panel looking at pushing the boundaries of social enterprise to engage with new markets included representatives from social enterprises working across a range of sectors:

  • hiSbe
  • Northdoc
  • VIRTŪ ROCKS
  • York St John University

We also held a drinks reception to celebrate the achievements of Social Enterprise Mark holders, and to award the Social Enterprise Gold Mark to new successful applicants Plymouth College of Art, The University of Northampton, and The University of Winchester.

Click here to download the conference summary notes.


Please get in touch to request a copy of the full notes and presentations from the 2017 conference.


“It is good to be in an environment where there are shared values and some communality of approaching issues.”


“The event was interesting and informative; a great way to meet other organsiations from across the country.”


2016 Conference

8th & 9th June 2016, MediaCityUK, University of Salford

Our 2016 conference, hosted by University of Salford and supported by ForViva, was held at MediaCityUK in Salford.

Conference sponsors

The event was attended by over 60 people over the two days, with keynote speakers including former MP Phil Hope, Julie Hawker, Nigel Kershaw OBE, and Professor Francis Davis. A cross-sector discussion panel looking at the importance of accreditation and standards included representatives from standard setting bodies covering a range of sectors:

  • Golf Environment Organization
  • ISEAL Alliance
  • Soil Association

We also held a drinks reception to celebrate the achievements of Social Enterprise Mark holders, and to award the Social Enterprise Mark and Gold Mark to new successful applicants Northdoc Medical Services, SEQOL, and York St John University.


Please get in touch to request a copy of the full notes and presentations from the 2016 conference.


“Very informative and engaging conference, I really enjoyed attending and took a lot of learning and feedback from the sessions.”


“Excellent, a very useful and timely event. Welcoming diverse group, with a strong learning orientation.”