On Wednesday, my colleague Shauntelle Murphy and I attended the Social Economy Drive Conference & Expo at Millennium Point in Birmingham. It was a vibrant gathering of social enterprises and sector leaders committed to building a fairer, greener economy!

Highlights from the programme

• Panel 1: System – Maximising the power of the ecosystem
  This session explored how collaboration between anchor institutions, local authorities, and social enterprises can unlock inclusive growth. Our colleague Gayle Monk, Legal Director at Anthony Collins, joined the panel alongside leaders from WMCA and Birmingham City Council to discuss commissioning, procurement, and social value.
• Panel 2: Innovation – Driving change for communities
  Speakers shared inspiring examples of how social enterprises are tackling complex challenges, from mental health to homelessness, through innovative models.
• Panel 3: Money – Where’s the money?
  A deep dive into funding options, social investment, and blended finance models to support scaling and sustainability.
• Panel 4: Place – Building resilient communities
  Practical strategies for place-based solutions and how social economy organisations can strengthen local ecosystems.
• Panel 5: Growth – Best practice and successful models
  Lessons from organisations that have scaled impact while staying true to their mission.

Conversations that count

The Expo floor was filled with networking and collaboration opportunities. We were so engaged in conversations with social enterprises, funders, and partners that we didn’t manage to attend Gayle’s session in person – but we hear it was a fantastic discussion on breaking down barriers in public procurement and creating fairer systems for SMEs and VCSE organisations.

Spotlight on the APPG inquiry report

The conference was well-timed, coming shortly after the recently published findings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into the social economy, which sets out a roadmap for growth and influence. Key recommendations include:

• Embedding social value in procurement across all government departments.
• Expanding access to patient capital and blended finance models.
• Strengthening governance and leadership support for social enterprises.
• Creating a unified voice for the sector to influence policy and investment decisions.

These recommendations align closely with the ambitions of the new Office for the Impact Economy and represent a significant opportunity for the sector to shape the future of inclusive economic growth.

Key takeaways

At Anthony Collins, we are proud to work alongside social enterprises to navigate these changes and seize new opportunities. Whether it’s governance, funding, or strategic growth, our team is here to help organisations thrive and deliver lasting impact. We look forward to continuing to work alongside iSE, WMCA and other colleagues in the sector to keep building momentum and champion the growth of the sector!

If you’d like to discuss what these developments mean for your organisation, or explore how we can support your journey, please get in touch.