Member Article

Northern Enterprise 2016 conference will lead devolution

The inaugural Northern Enterprise 2016 Conference, Exhibition and Awards is to be held at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, on October 13, 2016. The one-day event will shape and drive the devolution agenda in the north and demonstrate how the social sector can lead the Northern Powerhouse through innovation and values implicit in the social economy.

Speaking is minister for civil society, RT Hon Rob Wilson and RT Hon Hazel Blears, who will lead a host of industry trailblazers including a round table discussion. Sponsors include, the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy and Practice, University of Liverpool, Firstark, RBS Social & Community Capital and Big Society Capital to name a few. (Please see editor’s notes for a full list of sponsors and speakers.)

Businesses across the third, private and public sector will unite at Northern Enterprise 2016 to develop a clear strategy for mass collaboration across the social economy, put social value on the agenda of key influencers and decision-makers and provide a platform for the private sector to adopt new delivery models to include social value in their own decision-making.

Rosie Jolly, CEO of Social Enterprise Network, said:

“Northern Enterprise 2016 will bring together best practice social economy to drive the northern core cities agenda as Britain prepares for Brexit.

“Through social enterprise, collectively we can shape the changing face of the Northern Powerhouse agenda, through its ability to deliver effective and efficient social value outcomes, which will be essential to the success of devolution.”

Alongside the voices of industry pioneers, the Northern Enterprise 2016 Conference and Exhibition will feature business master classes (full list in editors notes), brokerage space, an entrepreneur’s chill-out zone, business gurus, innovation and investment hubs and a dragon’s den.

Following on from the conference and exhibition will be the Northern Enterprise 2016 Awards, which recognises the achievements of those individuals and businesses that are shining beacons of social value best practice.

Rosie added:

“The conference also aims to create a platform for the possibilities of cross sector co-production to be explored, encouraging private sector businesses to follow suit with public sector bodies and consider the social and environmental impact the services that they offer or commission has upon local communities.

“We can and should influence the Northern Powerhouse agenda to build the kind of region and economy able to punch above its weight and to once and for all break the continuous cycle of the great north south divide.”

Phillip Blond, director of Respublica, said:

“As the devolution agenda moves into its next phase - with upcoming Mayoral elections in Manchester and Liverpool and new city and region deals in the pipeline - it is vital that we bring together the best and the brightest from across the North to share their ideas and to pool intellectual resource.

“Northern Enterprise 2016 is a brilliant opportunity to do just that and although I am taking part as a speaker, the thing I am most excited about is hearing from the many socially minded businesses and social entrepreneurs taking part for they can offer the innovation that public services in the North desperately need.”

Dr Alan Southern, co-director at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy and Practice, University of Liverpool:

“The Heseltine Institute for Public Policy and Practice is pleased to be collaborating with SEN in Northern Enterprise 2016. We see this conference as an important step in developing a broader agenda about the social economy and its role in the Northern Powerhouse.

“We hope to use this conference not only to stimulate ideas for collaboration in research, but also to ask how we can enable a vibrant, independent social economy across the region who are able to partner with the private and public sectors in supporting inclusive economic growth.”

The term social value relates to The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, whereby public organisations are required to factor how the social, economic and environmental issues of a local area are considered during procurement.

A range of ticket packages can be purchased here https://ticksi.com/events/367/northern-enterprise-conference-2016

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