What people say about Social Enterprise and SEC

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister

"In my view, social enterprise is the new British business success story, forging a new frontier of enterprise - a quiet revolution involving 55,000 social enterprises in our country from the smallest community groups to larger businesses."

David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party

"It's not just about helping to tackle social problems at the community level; it's about mainstream businesses delivering public services with a distinctive focus on quality, serving the community, and employee pride. Social enterprises are not just creating social good, but creating jobs and opportunity."

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

"The Chair and Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition are a driving force behind the growing social enterprise movement. The role of chair is one that recognises the importance of campaigning to raise the profile of social enterprise as well as strong infrastructure to support the work of the sector".

Tim Smith, CEO, Eden project

"I think social enterprise is the model for the future organising of our collective state assets."

Campbell Robb, Director General, Office of the Third Sector

"The Social Enterprise Coalition is a highly valued partner of the Office of the Third Sector, providing a coherent voice for the rich diversity of social enterprises across the UK. In seeking to fill this essential and high profile role, I'm confident the organisation will attract excellent candidates that can lead it through an exciting new phase of its development."

Patrick Butler, The Guardian

"The guest list [at the annual social enterprise conference] was a sign that social enterprise has arrived."

Oliver Letwin, Chairman of the Conservative Party Policy Review

"As we see it, social enterprise has a colossal role to play in a government agenda that is dominated by social responsibility. It's central - not peripheral - to the social economy, to the public services and to our whole programme of government."