Gavin Annon, Chief Strategy Officer of Mount Charles Group and former President of Belfast Chamber, has been appointed Chair of Social Enterprise NI (SENI), the leading membership and networking body for social enterprises in Northern Ireland.
SENI’s vision is to help build strong businesses around social purpose so that everyone profits. Faced with cuts to funding, building commercial resilience is essential at this challenging time for the social enterprise sector, which encompasses more than 1,225 organisations, 17,000 jobs and contributes around £1 billion to the NI economy.
SENI’s team does this by uniting, empowering and championing over 1000 social enterprises in Northern Ireland though events, lobbying, capacity building programmes and their membership directory.
Social enterprises aim to reinvest their profits into the communities they serve through support for local activity and the provision of employment, health and wellbeing for vulnerable people.
As a strong advocate of businesses across all sectors, and those with a greater social purpose in particular, this appointment felt like the perfect next move for Mr. Annon, following his successful term as Belfast Chamber president. In his role as Chair, Gavin will work with the CEO and Board of SENI to set the tone for ambition and governance, implement strategy and amplify the voice of the social enterprise sector.
Speaking about his appointment, Gavin Annon had this to say, “It is a huge honour to be asked to Chair Social Enterprise NI and play my role in supporting the great work the organisation does throughout Northern Ireland.
Coming from a family business with family values, I am fully aware of how important it is to support those people from a more disadvantaged background into employment. At Mount Charles, we have implemented a number of initiatives with social enterprises across Ireland, as well as the Department for the Economy and I am delighted that I can bring the knowledge I have gained from these ventures to SENI.”
Social Enterprise NI CEO, Colin Jess commented on Mr. Annon’s appointment, “I am pleased to welcome the appointment of Gavin as the new Chair of Social Enterprise NI. Gavin brings a fresh perspective and strong commercial focus that will help drive the organisation forward, building on the significant achievements to date. The social economy is a vital contributor to Northern Ireland’s wider economy, and this appointment comes at an exciting time as Social Enterprise NI continues to grow and evolve. Gavin’s leadership will bring innovative thinking and a renewed energy for the future.”
Welcoming Gavin to his new role as SENI Chair, the Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald highlighted that the sector plays a significant role in creating a growing economy. She said: “Social enterprises are dynamic businesses that generate both economic and social value. By creating employment, developing skills and reinvesting profits into local communities, they help drive regional productivity. Supporting the social enterprise sector is a strategic investment in our economic future.”
Mount Charles Group has recently implemented several social enterprise initiatives. These include working with organisations such as Stepping Stones NI, hosting barista training in partnership with Change Please, and joining The Bridge employers’ forum, working in conjunction with the Department of Justice to improve job prospects for offenders. The Group is also involved with The King’s Trust charity to help disadvantaged young people find employment.