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

Investing further in the Retail Trust

Following a very successful initial investment in 2021, led by Bain and Permira, SBT is delighted to announce reinvestment in the Retail Trust. The newest investment will enable the appointment of an Interim Finance Officer, in addition to project management support.
From Maps to Satnav

We’re delighted to welcome Patrick Dunne, experienced Chair and author of the award-winning book Boards, to host our first masterclass of 2022. He will lead a discussion on the new approach to Board decision making.
Keep in touch!

We'd love to stay in touch and there's many ways to keep in touch with us.
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.

What we do
Our corporate partners

We work with world-class business leaders.
Who and how we support

We connect high potential social enterprises with business leaders to grow impact.
Our approach
The difference we make
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.
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.
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.
Social Change: Systems Thinking

This event has ended. Guests joined Australia's most highly sought after Social Change Consultant, Erfan Daliri for a masterclass on Systems Thinking for Social Change. Click to find out more about the event and to join our invite list.
SBT announces Digital Impact Fund (DIF)

Social Business Trust (SBT) is delighted to announce the newly created Digital Impact Fund (DIF), supported by the Permira Foundation. Through the fund, cash grants and business expertise will help four high performing social enterprises accelerate their shift to digital.