UK BIG BUSINESS GET SERIOUS ABOUT SOCIAL IMPACT
As social enterprises across the globe step onto the world stage at the Social Enterprise World Forum this week (21st – 25th September). Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) releases today their Year 4 Impact Report of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, and announces Adaire Fox-Martin, Executive Board Member at SAP, as Global Ambassador to drive the Buy Social Corporate Challenge forward into new territories.
Since the Buy Social Corporate Challenge was launched at Number 11 Downing Street four years ago, a total of £91,545,356 was collectively spent by its corporate buyers. The number of businesses who have signed up to the challenge has risen from 7 to 24, representing a broad section of the economy from high-profile construction and facilities management companies, to leading lights in the healthcare, tech and professional services industries. Infrastructure provider Amey PLC has set itself a target of achieving 5% of addressable spend going to social enterprise suppliers by the end of 2023. Foodbuy (part of Compass Group) is running a high-profile campaign to push social enterprises further into the food and drink sector. Johnson & Johnson has worked with well over 50 social enterprise suppliers in the UK over the last 6 years. Nationwide Building Society has successfully introduced social procurement to a number of its strategic providers through its events and wider advocacy.
Additionally, Adaire Fox-Martin, Executive Board Member at global software giant SAP and named among the top 50 most powerful women in the world by Fortune magazine, has been chosen to spearhead the corporate challenge as official Global Buy Social Ambassador. With her extensive experience in connecting and delivering solutions to some of the largest organizations around the globe, Adaire will help grow markets and build capacity for social enterprises across the globe, encouraging other leading businesses to integrate social businesses into their supply chains.
Commenting on her appointment, Adaire Fox-Martin said:
“The concept of social enterprise underlies SAP’s very mission: to help the world run better and improve people’s lives. It is clear that purpose and profit can and must co-exist. The social enterprise movement isn’t only evidence; it’s inspiration. Corporates have a profound role to play – buying social isn’t just corporate philanthropy or even traditional corporate social responsibility. This is about having an environmental or social mission woven into the fabric of your business. And this is what it’s going to take if we are to overcome the challenges we face today.”
1,253 jobs have been created directly or indirectly at social enterprises over the last four years as a result of contracts with Buy Social Corporate Challenge partners. Every pound spent with a social enterprise helps reduce inequalities and enables businesses to do their part to help build back better.
