Social Enterprise London

An outstanding development organisation that supports the social enterprise community in London

Social Enterprise London (SEL) describes itself as the “heart and voice” of the social enterprise sector in London. Established in 1998, it works to help London fulfil its potential as a hub for social enterprise.

It does this in a number of ways. Through close ties with London councils, the London Development Agency, the Government Office for London and the Mayor of London, SEL promotes and supports social enterprises, representing the sector to policymakers.

It works directly with social enterprises, providing practical support to help individual entrepreneurs and whole organisations work as effectively as they can. This support includes “open surgeries” to help people learn more about social enterprise, training courses, one-to-one sessions, and leadership and management courses.

Social Enterprise London is itself a social enterprise, with income generated through the winning and delivery of contracts for public agencies and by providing an expert consultancy service to mainly public and third sector organisations. It was also a trailblazer for CICs when they first launched as a legal structure.
“SEL was centrally involved in the development of the Community Interest Company,” says chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton. “We managed the launch of the CIC at a major event in 2005, attended by key figures from across the social enterprise movement and government.”

For SEL, its status as a CIC makes the organisation’s purpose clear. “Being a Community Interest Company is something SEL takes very seriously, and we’re proud of our position as the 100th registered CIC in the UK,” says Ogden-Newton. “As a business which represents the London social enterprise community, having our community focus embedded in our structure is central to our purpose. It marks us out as an organisation which puts people before profit; a powerful statement at a time when the values of businesses are under greater scrutiny than ever.”

Over the next few years SEL plans to cement its position in leading social enterprise in London, and its structure as a CIC is an integral part of that mission. “SEL is already the leading social enterprise support and development organisation in London, running a network of almost 1,500 social enterprises and social entrepreneurs,” says Ogden-Newton. “Going forward, we will continue working through our programme of training, support, strategic leadership, research and consultancy, to create the conditions for social enterprise to fulfil its outstanding potential as the business model for the future.”

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