Whisky-maker Chivas Brothers teamed up with the Cabinet Office and British Council at its Strathisla distillery in Keith for the UK launch of a campaign to showcase the strength of Britain’s £55billion and growing social enterprise sector.
Chivas, which makes Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Ballantine’s, took the opportunity to also highlight its own support for businesses run for a social purpose.
Two of the UK finalists in its inaugural The Venture competition were represented at the event, with guests hearing how one of them would soon be flying the flag for Britain in the global final in Silicon Valley, California – home to some of the world’s leading start-ups.
A share of a near £660,000 prize pot is up for grabs for some of the world’s most promising social entrepreneurs.
The UK winner is the Two Fingers Brewing Company, whose founders wanted to do something about prostrate cancer and decided to launch a beer brand. All profits from the beer are given to Prostate Cancer UK.
Scotland’s social enterprise sector was represented in the UK final by East Kilbride mail company Delivered Next Day Personally. It was founded by Bruce Gunn, whose allergic reaction to a mosquito bite in Spain led to a long-term illness.
As part of the existing GREAT Britain campaign, the Cabinet Office and government department UK Trade and Investment aims to promote the UK as “the number one global destination for social investment”.
The drive to highlight the strength of Britain’s social economy started in New York last month, with Chivas hosting the UK launch this week.
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said: “We want to support ambitious social enterprises many of which are based here in Scotland. Global investors from Shanghai to New York should look to the UK.
“Our goal is promote the UK as the global hub of social investment where businesses and individuals can invest in enterprises that have a positive social impact and make a difference in communities.
“This government has made social impact bonds eligible for our new social investment tax relief and I hope this will attract new investors and expertise.”
Denis O’Flynn, UK managing director for Chivas Bros’ French parent Pernod Ricard, said: “Entrepreneurial thinking and a spirit of generosity are at the heart of the Chivas story.
“John and James Chivas were entrepreneurs with a social conscience. They helped the local community in Aberdeen as their business grew.
“The Venture competition is one of the ways we keep those values alive today. The diversity and quality of the entries we’ve had for The Venture really demonstrates the vibrancy of the UK social economy.”
British Council Scotland Director Lloyd Anderson announced a partnership with the Scottish Social Enterprise Academy and the Real Ideas Organisation to develop 4,500 social enterprise education packs to be distributed in the UK and overseas.
Mr Anderson said: “We are delighted to announce this new agreement that helps to promote positive social change, support the UK’s social economy, and build trust between the UK and other countries.”