What does Social Enterprise Mark mean to the University of Salford?

This article was first published on 23 September 2014 on the University of Salford blogsite, see
http://blogs.salford.ac.uk/business-school/university-salford-award-social-enterprise-mark/

The University has identified social impact and social value as core elements of our mission through the new University Strategic Plan. Our commitment to social business and its values has resulted in the University being awarded the Social Enterprise Mark – only the second university in the UK to achieve this public recognition.

The Social Enterprise Mark is the only international certification for social enterprises and it enables the University of Salford to differentiate itself from other Universities by proving we are working or ‘trading for people and planet’, reinforcing the University’s brand values.

What does Social Enterprise Mark mean to students and staff at the University of Salford?

Social Enterpise Mark reactions

Lucy Findlay, MD of the Social Enterprise Mark stated that

“The Certification Panel was very impressed with the breadth and quality of the work that the University of Salford are doing in the social enterprise arena.

They also felt that it was truly embedded in the ethos and culture of the organisation – an example of good practice”.

Chris Dabbs, Director of Innovation, at Unlimited Potential

In response to hearing about the University’s award, Chris Dabbs, Director of Innovation, at Unlimited Potential commented that

“being awarded the Social Enterprise Mark reflects the active interest that the University is taking in social enterprise, including its increasing engagement with local social enterprises that draws on its own strengths.

I hope that we can develop further together and achieve greater social, economic and environmental impact that benefits local people”.

Hazel Blears, Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, said:

“This award recognises the university’s long-standing commitment to promoting social enterprise and is richly deserved.

Through its new Centre for Social Business the university is now helping to encourage organisations of all kinds to make a positive difference in their local communities”.

Salford Business School’s Centre for Social Business
The members of the Centre for Social Business demonstrate a strong record of internationally recognised research and features partnerships with policy makers, practitioners and the wider community to produce relevant and influential research that impacts on social business issues affecting today’s society.

Dr Morven McEachern (Director for Centre for Social Business) believes that the
“Social Enterprise Mark certification provides a distinctive opportunity for the University to play a central role in working and trading for good with regional SMEs as well as actively promote social enterprise to our students”.

Colin McCallum, Executive Director, University Advancement at Salford said

“we are determined to build on our long history of social engagement and impact and to become recognised as the leading university in this. Securing the Social Enterprise Mark is an important further step on the journey that allows us to live our mission and values”.