Clean Slate has secured a spot in the SE100 list of the UK’s top social enterprises
Clean Slate Training & Employment, home to Quids in! Pro, has been named among the UK’s top social enterprises in the newest SE100 list.
The list, compiled by NatWest bank and Pioneers Post, the social enterprise news network, listed the UK’s most impressive social businesses and said they were using “every ounce of their energy” to find creative solutions to social problems.
Despite the financial pressures brought by the cost-of-living crisis, organisers said the social enterprises on the list painted a rosy view of the future.
Businesses were judged on their financial performance as well as their positive impact on equality and diversity.
Founding editor of Pioneers Post Tim West said however that social enterprise is not immune from the consequences of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Like all businesses, social enterprises are dealing with the continued pressure and uncertainties of the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges that won’t go away any time soon – whether it’s about key contracts being removed or the continued fallout from Brexit and its impact on staffing,” he said.
“Running a social business is perhaps more challenging than ever before, and we know that a number of social investors, for example, have been bracing themselves for more of their investees to fail.
“But if we know anything about social entrepreneurs, it’s that they are dedicated, resilient and full of positivity. What they seem to be telling us in this year’s SE100 survey is that they will use every ounce of their energy, skill and creativity to find solutions in the face of the hardest challenges, in service of their communities and their social mission.”
Despite the financial squeeze, the total revenues of all the businesses entering the SE100 this year came to nearly £512 million – up on last year’s figure of £393 million.
Profits were down however – from £9.3 million to £8.3 million. Bosses said winning contracts and gaining access to capital were the biggest barriers to growth. Retention of staff and the cost-of-living crisis played into this too.
But overall, the sense of optimism among social enterprises was evident. Nine out of ten told organisers they were making a more positive impact than the previous year, and three in four said they are optimistic about the future.
