Update from our CEO – Discussion with the First Minister
Posted: 12 August 2025, in News
This week, I had the privilege of meeting the First Minister at Rascals Café for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of social enterprise in Scotland. What was planned as a one-hour slot turned into a 90-minute, open and constructive conversation, a strong sign of his genuine interest in our sector.
We covered three big themes: our vision for the next social enterprise strategy (2026–2034) within the wider Inclusive and Democratic Business Models agenda; the scale and potential of social enterprises to deliver on Scotland’s priorities; and the importance of continuity in funding to sustain innovation and long-term impact. The FM was particularly engaged on procurement reform and how we embed our sector into public service redesign, local democracy, and the Community Wealth Building Bill.
It was a hugely positive meeting. The First Minister was clear that he sees social enterprise as a central part of Scotland’s economic transformation. We left with a shared sense of momentum, clarity on next steps, and a commitment to keep the conversation moving. We will be sharing the Strategy document with members ahead of the Summit on the 2nd September to get views and feedback.
Exciting times ahead.
Chris Martin