Wates calls for greater support of Social Enterprises to deliver step change

3 March, 2011

Contributing £24 billion to the UK economy, Social Enterprises (SEs) already play a key role in the UK economy.  Wates Group is one of the first construction companies to develop close links with SEs as an integral part of its supply chain and has pledged to work with them on its projects in the UK.  However, if companies like Wates are to step change the way in which they work with SEs, the Group believes that both businesses and Government need to galvanise quickly to deliver beneficial change.

Wates has identified some key ways in which it believes SEs and companies could be brought closer together to deliver change through:

• The improvement and promotion of systems such as the Social Enterprise Mark,
• Reviewing procurement and work packages to create smaller contracts,
• Identifying supply chain gaps and how SEs can deliver support in these areas,
• The role they can play in making the Big Society concept real.

However, if more companies begin to incorporate SEs in their supply chain and act as exemplars, real and substantial change can be achieved.  

“Social Enterprises provide a unique way of making a positive economic and social impact in the communities where we work, while delivering high quality products and services to our customers” commented Paul Drechsler, Wates Chairman and Chief Executive. “Wates believes there is a great opportunity for businesses to make a lasting difference and promote economic growth by engaging with SEs. And, if more organisations are encouraged to work effectively with SEs across a whole range of services, we believe that they will make an even greater contribution to turning the Big Society concept into a reality.”

Peter Holbrook, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition also added his support:

“By identifying the key areas in which developments can be made to enable SEs and business to work more cohesively, significant benefits can be made not only for the economy, but for business, SEs and society as a whole.  The role SEs play needs to be better understood and better used and the Government should be communicating this through its Big Society concept to deliver real change.”

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Tags: Social Enterprise