What we do

Our approach

SBT’s mission is to support high growth potential social enterprises to scale-up their impact. We do that by investing professional support and cash grants from our leading corporate partners in a carefully selected portfolio of social enterprises.

Since 2010, we have positively impacted the lives of nearly 3 million people.

Our programmes

We work with established social businesses with revenues of c.£1 million or more that have strong growth potential. Our aim is to help develop a number of social enterprises to national scale or significance.

Currently we work with a great portfolio, selected from reviews of over 1,000, tackling social problems including educational disadvantage and elderly care. Additional social enterprises are in our SBT Design programme, getting support to create a plan for growth.

Our story

Social Business Trust was started in 2010 by Sir Damon Buffini, founding partner of Permira, the global investment fund and Adele Blakebrough MBE, a leading social entrepreneur.

They share a belief in the importance of social enterprise in addressing society's problems and in the benefits that working in partnership with business can deliver.

Latest

Getting practical about purpose

At an EY event last night, Social Business Trust CEO Joanne Hay drew attention to how corporate employees, through SBT, are using their professional skills in practical ways to help charities and social enterprises to grow. The result of this purposeful approach means more people can be supported in the areas of youth employment, education and mental health.
EY and Bikeworks ride in tandem on path to growth

When I joined EY, I never thought I’d be running client workshops at London’s Olympic velodrome. But over recent months I’ve had the opportunity of doing just this. Here, Ciara Dowling from EY reflects on her time working alongside social enterprise Bikeworks.
Digital that does good: SBT and Permira Foundation's Digital Impact Fund

We’ve teamed up again with the Permira Foundation to accelerate the digital transformation of seven social enterprises, investing over £190,000 across the organisations. On top of the funding, volunteers from our corporate partners will use their professional skills and expertise to support the initiatives.
Problem shared is problem halved: SBT and Thomson Reuters hold challenge event

Last week Thomson Reuters hosted our latest event, where over 50 of their employees showed energy and insight on the day working alongside representatives from the charities and social enterprises.

What we do
Our corporate partners

We work with a committed group of leading corporates and business professionals who provide practical skills and expertise in support of our charities and social enterprises
Our approach
Types of volunteering

You can volunteer your time in many ways to make a difference to the SBT portfolio and increase the impact they deliver.
The difference we make
Joanne Hay, CEO
Register interest in volunteering

We couldn't do what we do without talented people giving their time and energy! If you'd like to volunteer your skills to help social enterprises and charities scale-up, please get in touch.
Alex McAleavy, Senior Investment Manager
A Decade of Difference

Social Business Trust marked 10 years of supporting the growth of social enterprises with A Decade of Difference report. The report showcases some of the impact the corporate partners and the social enterprises have achieved together.
Setting Up for Growth

A member of our portfolio, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for young children across London regardless of income level. June O'Sullivan MBE, CEO of LEYF explains how Social Business Trust has been instrumental in their journey.