Inspiring
Lasting Impact.
Social Enterprise NI is the representative body for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland.
Who are we?
We are the leading organisation & networking body for social enterprises in Northern Ireland.
We exist to strengthen the social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland and support businesses at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
For over 13 years, we have represented local social enterprises and worked together to build a stronger collective voice and grow the social enterprise movement.
Our Mission
We at Social Enterprise Northern Ireland are dedicated to the mission of connecting, supporting, and empowering dynamic social enterprises that drive positive change. Our primary goal is to assist these businesses in generating profit with purpose, inspire lasting impact and create a more inclusive and sustainable society.
Our Vision
Our vision for Northern Ireland is one where social enterprises take centre stage and are acknowledged for their significant contribution to both society and the economy. We are deeply committed to nurturing a thriving sector by cultivating its growth, raising its profile locally and internationally, promoting collaboration and strengthening its capacity to succeed.
Our Values
Change Makers
Industry Pioneers
Social Champions
Empowering Collaboration
We create a space in which all players, irrespective of size or experience, have their voice heard and can learn from one another. We also provide opportunities for collaboration between social enterprises and the public and private sectors.
Profit with Purpose
Our activities support all levels, from start-ups and community groups at the beginning of their social enterprise journey, to more experienced social enterprises. Together, we aspire to achieve an environment where society profits and social enterprises excel at addressing and meeting community needs.
Our Team
Colin Jess
Chief Executive
Since joining the organisation in 2016, Colin has been at the forefront of increasing the awareness of the social business model and has increased membership numbers of not only social enterprises but also those organisations from private and public sector.
Colin has an extensive network across public, private, and educational bodies as well as good relationships with government departments and politicians, presenting to Assembly Committees and also as Secretariat of the All Party Group on Social Enterprise.
Colin was appointed by the former Minister of Finance in December 2020 as an external advisor to the Procurement Board and seeks to promote the inclusion of social value in procurement at every opportunity.
Outside of work Colin enjoys time with the family and is also Chairman of Glentoran Football Club.
Amanda Johnston
Head of business development
Amanda has been an integral part of Social Enterprise NI from the inception of the organisation in 2012. Having worked in the social enterprise sector her entire life, Amanda is highly respected for her ability to help steer social enterprises towards financial sustainability. Always with her finger on the pulse of the industry, she also leading on financial management and income generation for SENI. Amanda is a qualified ‘Social Return on Investment’ practitioner.
Catherine Burns
HEAD OF EVENTS & COMMS
Catherine has a wealth of experience in business management, administration, comms and event planning across several industries, including retail, creative, and fitness. She holds a BA Hons in Fashion & Textile Design from the University of Ulster and having developed and managed her own fitness business, she has extensive experience working with the public, community groups and local government.
Rachel Creagh
Head of Marketing and Design – Currently on Maternity Leave
Rachel Creagh is a creative marketing professional and mum of little P-J. As Head of Marketing and Design at Social Enterprise NI, she drives brand awareness, designs engaging content, and champions the incredible impact of social enterprises across Northern Ireland.
Rachel is currently on Maternity leave and will return in 2027! Marketing queries or requests should be directed to Cath on the details below.
Jimmy Laverty
RiSE Project Officer
Jimmy is a well known and highly respected member of the Community and Voluntary Sector. As a grants specialist, he has worked in a variety of organisations giving him the empathy and intelligence needed to make a real difference.
His wealth of knowledge about the sector, funding and grants will be put to good use on the Rural innovation and Social Enterprise scheme, a 4 year project that will increase the capacity, capability and confidence of rural groups who could benefit from social enterprise activities. With his feet firmly on the ground, he is also a skilled communicator with a natural ability to make the team laugh on a Monday morning. Â
SENI Ambassador
Cate Conway
Ambassador
Cate Conway is a radio presenter and brand ambassador for Social Enterprise Northern Ireland. Her role involves hosting our annual sector awards and the #WISE Podcast to share the stories and impact tales of those organisations doing amazing things.
An excellent host that lights up the room when she’s there and a true advocate of social enterprise.
Board Members
John McMullan
(Chairman)
A multi-award winning CEO, John headed up UK’s largest Social Enterprise, Bryson Group for many years. He has an excellent track record of developing and delivering solutions to a range of social and housing related challenges.
John holds various board roles at; Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive, Drumlin Wind Co-op; WorkWest community enterprise agency, Advisory Group Member British Council and a community based Credit Union.
John is a Life Fellow of RSA, former Northern Ireland and UK Social Enterprise Leader of the Year in 2011, a distinguished graduate of Ulster University and was made a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Management in 2016. He also received an MBE in the 1998 Birthday Honours List and an OBE in 2011.
David Hunter
Former CEO of Access Employment Limited (AEL) for 11 years, David developed 5 new social enterprise businesses in parallel with a number of training programmes and targeted interventions to assist adults and young people with disability into employment.
During his role, employment within the organisation increased from 13 to 52 and income increased from £272k to over £1.3million with some 70% being self-generated income.
David is a strategic leader with extensive expertise in developing and implementing long term organisational/business strategies within both the private and social sectors. He consults for DFC to support local economic recovery in Northern Ireland.
Roy Bell
With over 25 years’ experience working in senior public sector roles, Roy has undertaken strategic public sector peer reviews within a number of EU jurisdictions including supporting the Greek Department of Health with a strategic review and restructuring of their procurement and supply-chain arrangements.
As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply he has supported the World & Asian Development Banks in a number of projects in African countries, Bhutan, Grand Cayman Island. Roy has also held various board roles within local organisations.
Dave Linton
Dave is an innovator, social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and founder of multi- award-winning Madlug C.I.C which achieved B-Corp certification in 2022. He is extremely passionate about using Madlug to influence a new young generation of social entrepreneurs.
Jenny Irvine
Jenny Irvine is a Registered Nurse, an experienced social entrepreneur, and Chief Executive Officer of ITEC.
Her role involves leading economic and social companies delivering a broad range of initiatives that actively address rural regeneration, health inequality encouraging a very strong element of user participation in the planning, development, and delivery of service. Jenny was recognised with a UK Social Enterprise fellowship in 2021 and named as a pioneer of the Nation by the Queen.