Deloitte launches search for next round of "super" social pioneers

Multinational business advisory firm Deloitte has launched a search to find the UK’s most innovative social businesses for a new Super Pioneers programme.

Over the past three years Deloitte has invested £2.5m in supporting social enterprise through its Social Innovation Pioneers programme.

This year the firm has launched its Super Pioneers programme to expand on the work of the programmes run in previous years. The 2015 programme is specifically focussed on supporting social businesses with plans to increase employability and job opportunities in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

David Barnes, managing partner for corporate responsibility at Deloitte, said: “We have prioritised areas where there is a high potential for social impact in employability and where we can leverage Deloitte’s existing expertise and networks to generate the greatest impact.”

Through the Super Pioneers programme Deloitte is looking to support 10 to 12 social ventures and is welcoming applications from the 58 previous Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneers.

Andrew Purvis, CEO of K10, one of the 2014 Pioneers, said that the programme had provided a “money-can’t-buy level of exposure”. 

“Through the diligence of the relationship director we have been exposed to a range of highly relevant opportunities,” he said. 

According to research by Social Enterprise UK, the average growth in turnover among the Social Innovation Pioneers was 45% in the first year and 38% in the second year. 

Over the past three years Deloitte has invested £2.5m into the Pioneers programme through 10,000 hours of pro bono and volunteering. 

This year Deloitte is looking to support social ventures of any legal structure that are working to improve employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups within the UK, Middle East or Africa, and that have plans to increase their social impact over the next 12 to 18 months.

For more information on eligibility requirements and on how to apply, click here.

Photo credit: Mary Mactavish