Rising costs are the biggest challenges facing businesses in the next six months. Cornwall is one of the most economically deprived areas in the UK. And yet it is home to many innovative, sustainable and dynamic social businesses, charities and community groups that are facing an existential crisis. Social businesses’ objective is to solve social, economic and environmental issues affecting local communities: hunger, homelessness, illness, pollution, etc. Current inflation risks striking a heavy blow against local social businesses, which often have access to limited financial resources and often are “doing a lot with little”.
During the event, we will highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by social businesses in the present turbulent times. You will hear from an excellent panel of financial, technology and legal experts on how to deal with issues like rising costs of energy; the importance of sound financial management; the need for adequate wages; the use of technology in social businesses. Finally, there will be food and drinks and time for discussions and networking.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Gill Pipkin – CEO of Citizen Advice Cornwall
- Jeremy Kirk – Finance Director with 30 years of experience, SouthWestFD.
- Vanessa Matthews – Head of Development, School for Social Entrepreneurs
- Wo King – CEO of Hi9, tech and AI expert
- Daniel Brewer – CEO of Resonance, manages social impact investments for over £330m
This event targets local Cornish social businesses, charities and community groups but it is open also to a limited number of University of Exeter Business and Law students that can bring their energy and ideas to the discussion. It will allow you to meet and learn in dynamic sessions led by industry experts and academics.
This event has been organised by the University of Exeter Business School together with the School of Social Entrepreneurs and funded by UKRI as part of the 2022 ESRC Festival of Social Science, an annual, UK-wide, free celebration of the social sciences.
