New CEO for Social Enterprise Coalition UK
Posted: 24 September 2009, in Sector News
The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) announced on 23 September that Peter Holbrook will become its new chief executive officer following the departure of Jonathan Bland in the New Year. Peter is currently the CEO of Sunlight Development Trust in Gillingham, Kent, as well as one of England’s Social Enterprise Ambassadors.
Claire Dove, the chair of SEC, announced his appointment by saying: "Peter is one of the most innovative leaders working in social enterprise today. He brings with him the right experience and an enormous amount of passion. Peter’s entrepreneurial abilities, the pioneering work he has done at Sunlight and his commitment to social enterprise make him the right person for the job. On behalf of the SEC board and staff, I am absolutely delighted to welcome him to the Coalition."
Holbrook said: "Politically and economically, social enterprise is set to be tested like never before. But alongside the undoubted challenges that face the sector, we have a unique opportunity to promote an economic model that can change not only the way we do business but also society at large.
"I’m honoured to lead SEC during this period of change, which would be daunting were it not for Jonathan’s inspiring legacy and the incredible team I’ll be proud to be working with."
Jonathan Bland will continue full time as CEO until 31 October and after that will provide interim support until Holbrook starts in the New Year.
Bland has been CEO of the Coalition since its inception six years ago and is leaving in order to start an international consultancy on social enterprise. He said: "I couldn’t be more pleased to be passing along the reigns to Peter. I am confident that his vision and passion will take the Coalition into a new and exciting phase."
Sunlight is one of the UK’s most dynamic and successful social enterprises and works to tackle long-standing health and social inequalities in the community. It was the winner of the 2004 Community Regeneration Awards (BURA), was given special recognition by the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2005 and was highly commended by the Centre for Social Justice in 2007. In 2008 Sunlight Social Enterprises CIC, home of cafesunlight, parentis, radio sunlight and sunlight studios, was awarded Best New Social Enterprise at the Enterprising Solutions Awards.
There are approximately 62,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of £27billion. They operate in almost every sector including health, employment, education, retail, technology, renewable energy and the arts.
The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK’s national body for social enterprise and represents a wide range of social enterprises, regional and national support networks and other related organisations. The Coalition key activities are centred around informing the policy agenda, influencing the political agenda, promoting the benefits of social enterprise through the media, campaigning and events, and undertaking research to expand the social enterprise evidence base.