UK: BSSEC goes from strength to strength

BSSEC, which supports the social economy in Birmingham and Solihull, continues to go from strength to strength and now has 23 members including a significant presence of major private sector organisations.

The practitioner-led network believes that its growth reflects a growing interest in and commitment to supporting the local social enterprise sector. Organisations that have recently joined the consortium include:

Unity Trust Bank A socially responsible organisation providing banking and membership services to the trade union, charity, voluntary, credit union and membership organisation sectors.

Anthony Collins Solicitors: The Birmingham based firm is a fast-growing niche law firm boasting the largest social housing, charities and community regeneration operations outside London, alongside strong commercial and private client teams.

ECOTEC Research & Consulting A 280-strong employee-owned research, consultancy and management company based in Birmingham that works with mainly public sector organisations to develop and deliver better policy, including in the social economy.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Birmingham Chamber is the oldest in the UK and along with its associate Chamber in Solihull represents over 170,000 employees and almost 3,500 member businesses.

Sarah Crawley, BSSEC co-chair, says: "BSSEC has always emphasised partnership working as a key way of improving support for the social enterprise sector and our growing membership ? and the diversity of this membership ? offers new opportunities for us to add value to existing support."

Within weeks of joining the consortium, Anthony Collins Solicitors developed a programme of six ?specialist expertise? workshops about key legal issues for social enterprises. These are currently being promoted jointly with BSSEC.

More Info:

• www.bssec.org.uk