Inspiring
Lasting Impact.
Social Enterprise NI is the representative body for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland.
Who are we?
Formed in 2012, we have been trusted to deliver the Department for Economy’s Social Work Plan for over a decade. SENI also runs a range of other capacity building programmes to help build the strength and resilience of social enterprises across NI.Â
Our Mission
Social Enterprise Northern Ireland is a small team of people who are focused on uniting, empowering and championing the local social enterprise sector.
Our Vision
Our vision for Northern Ireland is simple. We want to help build strong businesses around social purpose so that everyone in society profits.
The Building Blocks of our Success
We ask. We demand.
Curiosity keeps us keen. Unafraid, always informed, we make it our business to ask the difficult questions, demanding better for SEs in NI.
We learn. We share
The pace of change is accelerating so we learn, we train and we share the skills that strong businesses need to thrive.
We help. We understand.
Our team is mature, skilled and experienced enough to know not to judge, always to help.
SENI Unites
With SENI’s carefully planned, high profile events and our membership community, we help private companies and Social Enterprises work together better to share skills, win public sector contracts and lobby for government change.
SENI Empowers
Learning from Social Enterprise organisations across the four nations and initiatives like mentoring, leadership and marketing support, SENI empowers social enterprises with the skills they need to thrive.
SENI Champions
SENI helps all audiences to understand why they should support, celebrate and work for NI’s vibrant mix of social enterprises. We want the people of NI to feel pride in this sustainable, inclusive, pioneering backbone of the NI economy.
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
Gavin Annon
(Chairman)
Gavin Annon is Chief Strategy Officer of Mount Charles Group, ex President of Belfast Chamber, winner of countless impressive business awards and now the Chair of Social Enterprise NI. As a strong advocate of businesses across all sectors including those with a social purpose, Gavin will work with the CEO and Board of SENI to set the tone for ambition and governance, implementing strategy and amplifying the voice of the social enterprise sector.Â
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.
Sharron Russell
A Public Policy and Management graduate (Magee), Sharron joins SENI with over 30 years’ experience in the public sector, most recently as Director in the Department for Communities responsible for community sector support, charities policy and legislation and strategic oversight of governance and control in four Arm’s Length Bodies. She initiated a refresh of policy and funding frameworks to support longer term investment in the community sector in NI and directed work to develop a new Partnership Agreement between the Sector and Government, as co-chair of the Joint Forum.
Sharron has a particular interest in contributing to SENI’s long term strategic planning. She is most happy when making connections and being creative and collaborative. Sharron also serves on the Board of Governors of Whiteabbey Primary School and The Over 50s Council for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
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.
