The 8th Social Enterprise Exchange conference takes place in Sheffield, 16 November 2023, celebrating International Social Enterprise Day and promoting new collaborations to build the social economy.

Join us for inspirational speeches, lively discussion and, of course, plenty of opportunities for networking and exchange. Our annual event brings together social enterprises, social entrepreneurs and sector stakeholders from South Yorkshire and the North of England. Book now on the form below.

Running order

09:30 Registration and refreshments

10:00 Welcome and introduction
Sangita Basudev, Sheffield Live!

10:10 Start-ups and innovators
Pauline Francis, Blessone’s Kitchen
Kendall Turner, Bloom Sheffield
Alex McLean, Then Try This
Introduced by Zoe Walton, Community Made Solutions

10:40 Net zero and the circular economy
Richard Sulley, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Professor Rachael Rothman, South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre
Geoff Cox, South Yorkshire Climate Alliance
Moderator: Gareth Roberts, Regather Co-operative

11:20 Refreshment break

11:40 Navigating the cost of living crisis
James Woods, Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough
Kate West, Family Voice Sheffield
Megan Ohri, SOAR Community
Mick King, Kiveton Park and Wales Community Development Trust
Moderator: Michelle Dickinson, South Yorkshire Community Foundation

12:20 AI for social good
Dr Bea Wohl, Centre for Creative Computing
James Charlesworth, Sheffield AI Group
Rachel Coldicutt OBE, Careful Industries
Moderator: Steve Buckley, Community Made Solutions

13:00 Closing panel – Future of the social economy
Dave Thornett, Key Fund
Lynsey Wilson, City of Doncaster Council
Ruth McDonald, Business Sheffield Race Equality Business Lead
Moderator: Sangita Basudev, Sheffield Live!

13:30 Networking lunch