The two day event was the highlight of the year for the SSAT Business
and Enterprise Colleges (BEC’s). Over the two days over 230 delegates
attended many from BEC’s and also teachers of enterprise and business
form other organisations and institutions.
Keynote speakers included:
- Kevin Brennan MP – Minister for Third Sector gave an inspirational speech about social enterprise and its place in the global economy – one of his key messages was that as social enterprises their aim is to make a profit but one of the key questions is how they source / make their profit and as social enterprises what they do with their profit
- Duncan Goose – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Ethics spoke about how the One range of products are being sold and the profits go towards supporting projects in developing countries
- Gary Forrest Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA) – spoke about the place of Business and Enterprise in the new curriculum and the new 11-19 Work Related Learning (WRL) and enterprise framework for schools
- Sally Broom – Your Safe Planet – a young entrepreneur and business woman from Cumbria who has developed an on-line buddying and networking service for travellers who want to experience countries with locals – the aim being that funding and spending by tourists goes directly to locals.
- Andy Pickles – CEO of U-xplore spoke of his experiences as a young entrepreneur and business man who was at the heart of and inspiration behind the Jive Bunny records in the late 80s
- Tony Billings – Head teacher All Hallows Catholic College and member of the Business & Enterprise Head teachers steering group spoke about how ethical values and leadership have transformed his school and helped to raise attainment and aspirations amongst his students.
Additionally there were a large number of well received school based workshops focusing on doing the business with ethics. One highlight was a workshop with a visiting Colombian coffee farmer who facilitated a workshop about fair-trade and the difference it makes to lives on the ground in Colombia.
The key messages from the conference were that social enterprises aim is to make a profit, but the vital consideration is how that profit is made and what happens to the profits that are the underpinning ethical and moral issues.
For further information about the SSAT Enterprise Network visit www.enterpriseinschools.org.uk