Thrive Together | GM Social Enterprise Summit Sponsored by Our Business GM

We're excited to invite you to two brilliant events bringing together social enterprises, Co-operatives, CIC’s, Charites that Trade, and other social business for a day of conversation, ideas and networking. The event takes place on Thursday 12 November at The Locker, New Century Hall, Manchester. Book your FREE place for the morning, afternoon or the full day.

Morning event: GM Social Enterprise Summit

The first Our Business GM Social Enterprise Summit – sponsored by Our Business – allows you to join the conversation and make connections across the Greater Manchester business community.

The sessions explore how the social economy is developing in Greater Manchester, and how social enterprises, CICs, Co-operatives and charities that trade can contribute to a fairer and more resilient regional economy.

08.45 | Registration

Tea and coffee on arrival.

09.30 | Welcome Opening remarks and welcome to the day

Speakers: Rose Marley, CEO, Co‑operatives UK; Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

10.00 | Mapping impact: growing Greater Manchester's social economy together

A panel on the first map of social economy infrastructure across Greater Manchester: what's working, who's missing, and how to build a more connected, visible and influential social economy. Attendees can add to the map. Host: Alison Page, Chief Executive, Salford CVS and Director, 10GM Speakers: Jenny Rouse, Greater Manchester Combined Authority; Otis Thomas - Managing Director T.A.P project; Matthew Todd, 10GM; Mike Wild, Manchester Community Central and 10GM.

10.30 | Our Business GM co‑op: Building a model for the future

What happens when Our Business GM becomes a co‑operative owned by the organisations it serves, and how the model could inspire other regions. Speakers: Zena King and Dane Pollard, Co‑operatives UK

11.00 | Refreshment break

11.15 | Good growth in every postcode: Turning social value into real change

Moving beyond talk of social value and ESG to delivering good growth that reaches every community. Includes practical examples, funding stories and partnerships with measurable impact. Chair: Rose Marley, CEO, Co‑operatives UK Speakers: Sarah Longlands, Centre for Local Economic Strategies; Jenny Rouse, The Good Growth Fund; Anwar Ali, Upturn Enterprise and Matt Smith, The Key Fund.

12.15 | Lunch and networking Lunch

Afternoon event: National Social Enterprise Summit

Afternoon attendees are also welcome to join us for lunch from 12.15pm.

13.00 | National Social Enterprise Summit: Opening

Sector leaders on turning national ambition for social enterprise into local action and lasting change. Speakers: Rose Marley, CEO, Co‑operatives UK; Peter Holbrook, CEO, Social Enterprise UK

13.30 | The Makerfield test: We are the good growth in every postcode (part 1)

Evidence that social enterprise delivers good growth, from reviving empty buildings to creating jobs and tackling isolation. It ends with a challenge to policymakers: what's stopping us replicating this everywhere? Chair: Peter Holbrook, CEO, Social Enterprise UK Speakers: David Baxter, Wigan and Leigh Community Co‑operative; Claire Pattison, Manchester Metropolitan University; Frankey Proctor, Greater Manchester Alternative Provider Collaborative amongst others.

14.30 | Coffee break

15.00 | Good growth in action: The businesses building a better economy (part 2)

Social enterprise leaders from housing, health, food and high streets show that purpose and prosperity can go hand in hand. Host: Devi Clark, Social Enterprise UK Speakers: Scott Darraugh, Social adVentures.

15.45 | Closing keynote

Details to be confirmed.

Register your FREE place (AM / PM or full day).

In the evening, New Century hosts the UK Social Enterprise Awards – co-produced by Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK. To join us for the evening, .

GM Summit: Exhibitor opportunity

We've a limited number of opportunities to exhibit in the GM Summit networking space. For £200 + VAT you can promote your business to other GM organisations during the lunch break. To hear more about the opportunity email the Our Business Team: [email protected]