Social Firms UK

 At an EGM yesterday, members of Social Firms UK passed a special resolution that enables the national support agency to represent all employability-focused social enterprises across the UK, including Social Firms. In European speak, these social enterprises are termed ‘WISEs’ (Work Integration Social Enterprises) and, recognising that there is not significant awareness of this terminology, Social Firms UK will also refer to them as ‘employability-focused social enterprises’ which explains more succinctly what they are. All Full Members already fall into this category and many Associate Members are more broadly engaged with work integration activities of disadvantaged people (their activities might include intermediate labour market, vocational training, job placement, volunteering and, in the case of Social Firms, job creation).

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

£22,221 to £25,472 p.a. pro-rata 21 Hours/Week - Permanent

 Co-operative and Community Finance provide loan finance for co-operatives and community businesses. We are the longest established Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) in the UK, successfully combining risk lending with financial sustainability.

We are looking for a new Financial Administrator to join our Bristol office and provide accounting, administrative and clerical support to the staff team within a social finance lending environment.

From our Head Office in central Bristol you will be at the heart of the organisation and the CDFI industry, and have an important role within the co-operative movement. You will be central to the delivery of our service package and administrative and information systems to the staff team, the Board of Trustees, borrowers and client organisations.

 The Social Firms UK Board has appointed Michele Rigby as the organisation’s new Chief Executive. Michele is currently Chief Executive of SEEE, the East of England’s social enterprise support agency and will take up the post from January 2012. Michele replaces Sally Reynolds, co-founder of Social Firms UK and its Chief Executive since 2004, who decided to leave due to exceptional personal circumstances.

Simon Hebditch, Chair of the Board of Social Firms UK, said today:-

'I am delighted to announce that Michele Rigby, currently Chief Executive of SEEE, has been chosen as the next Chief Executive of Social Firms UK. She has worked long and hard in the social enterprise sector and we are confident that she will make a major contribution to the organisation in the next few years.

 The Future 100 Awards are designed to recognise the talents of young social entrepreneurs who are running a business with a triple bottom line. The awards are organised by Striding Out, sponsored by Ernst & Young, and supported by our PR partner echaritybox.

The Future 100 Awards can be entered by entrepreneurs aged 18-35 who demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture with a strong commercial foundation and social and/or environmental impact.

To find out more and request an application form visit www.future100.co.uk

Deadline for entries is the 31st October 2011 at 5pm.