09/07/2007
Sir Gerry Robinson praises the work of Social Enterprise in Newry and Mourne,

I am delighted to learn more about the inspirational work of the Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency and their Social Enterprise Newry & Mourne Initiative” stated Sir Gerry Robinson the management guru and face of BBC’s, I'll Show Them Who's Boss. The School for Social Entrepreneurs in Ireland recently brought staff from Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency’s Social Enterprise Team together in a Cafe Conversation with Sir Gerry Robinson. Sir Gerry all round inspiration to both business and social entrepreneurs said: "If you haven't heard the phrase social entrepreneurship before then you're missing a new force which is reshaping our society. It's about bringing a business eye to the problems of society, and then applying a business imperative to get things done. While profit is not the motive there are big prizes to won along the way. The Social Enterprise Newry & Mourne initiative is a powerful force in building successful social enterprises.” The Social Enterprise Newry & Mourne Initiative offers social enterprises in Newry & Mourne free access to a wide-ranging and flexible menu of support to enable them to become more sustainable and competitive, and to generate greater added value, earnings and wealth within their host communities in Newry & Mourne. The support includes networking and trade events, social business to social business trading, public procurement opportunities, business growth clinics, technical support, advanced business coaching, and best practice visits in the UK and Ireland. The School for Social Entrepreneurs in Ireland is bringing Jean Horstman to visit Newry & Mourne in July. Jean is the CEO of InnerCity Entrepreneurs, Boston, USA. Jean will come together with local social enterprises in a Cafe Conversation hosted by Orana Family and Children’s Centre. Stephen McClelland Manager of Social Enterprise Newry and Mourne welcomed Jean’s visit as “a rare opportunity for local social enterprises to share Jean’s 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, and her work with the private, public, and nonprofit sectors across two continents.

Contact details: Maeve McParland Social Enterprise Newry and Mourne Enterprise House WIN Business Park Newry BT35 6PH Tel: 028 302 67011 or email mmcparland@nmea.net