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  1. Who we are

Who we are

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 believed in the importance of social enterprises in addressing society’s toughest social issues and understood the benefits of bringing together the best of business with the best of social enterprise to create greater impact. Those beliefs remain the essence of SBT today.

SBT was born out of the aim to bridge the gap between large corporations and social enterprises, to help build new connections and boost the social impact being delivered. We are an organisation that achieves that by bringing together nine outstanding corporate partners to help scale up and deliver business advice to a select group of some of the UK’s most high-potential social enterprises and charities.

“With the right support - successful, thriving social enterprises can scale, become more sustainable and grow to ultimately reach many more people.” Adele Blakebrough MBE, CEO Social Business Trust

We have a team of talented, diverse, and highly capable people who collaborate with our chosen social enterprises and help them achieve their growth ambitions and purpose. This includes full-time staff, trustees, and volunteers who each bring their own flair, passion, and experiences to the table.

The volunteers from our corporate partners find that working for SBT has not only been a refreshing and rewarding experience, but they are also able to practise and improve their wide skillset while gaining inspiration from a new network of contacts.

We are currently working with 12 inspiring and dedicated social enterprises have been carefully selected from thousands of potential candidates. Organisations in our portfolio tackle social problems ranging from educational disadvantage and employability through to social care.

With the help of SBT and its contributors, these social enterprises have been able to develop and refine their business plans, build relationships with our corporate partners, and achieve impressive growth. We also offer support to additional social enterprises through our SBT Design programme, giving support to create a plan for growth.

Since 2010 we have had the privilege of helping the lives of 2.7 million people via the cash grants we give to our portfolio and the professional support we enable through our leading corporate partnerships. We look forward to changing many more millions of lives, creating greater impact for a better society.

Published: 18th June, 2021

Updated: 14th September, 2021

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  • What we do

    What we do

  • Our corporate partners

    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

    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.

  • Joanne Hay, CEO

    Joanne Hay, CEO

  • The difference we make

    The difference we make

  • Register interest in volunteering

    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

    Alex McAleavy, Senior Investment Manager

  • A Decade of Difference

    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

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Find us

Address: 
Room S9/10, 2nd Floor
West Wing
Somerset House
London
WC2R 1LA 

Email: [email protected]

Registered Charity no1136151 and Company number: 7242976
Copyright © 2023 Social Business Trust

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