Welcome to Belfast and to the first all-Ireland trade event that will exclusively profile the work of social enterprises.

Having spent most of my career working as a senior manger in the banking industry with the AIB group, I was largely unaware of the social economy. The bank’s commercial clients were businesses and no distinction was made between social and private enterprises.

It was only once I took up the post of Chief Executive with Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) that I gained an insight into how social enterprise differed from other forms of enterprise and an understanding of the impacts that these types of business have on local communities. A formal definition put forward by DETI describes social enterprises as

“Organisations with a social, community or ethical purpose, operating using a commercial business model and having a legal structure appropriate to a not for-personal-profit organisation.”

Social Enterprise must compete in the same market place as private enterprise. It must be as professional, efficient, and innovative if it is to secure sales and win contracts, whether with buyers from private industry, the public sector or when selling directly to the public.

It is my firm belief that the social economy has an important role to play in the wider economy and that the social economy sector is now facing its greatest challenge – to be sustainable from trading income in an increasingly competitive market place and at a time of decreasing grant support.

I see the netWORKS 2008 trade show as a watershed for the social economy sector. It is the first time on this island that an event has been organised exclusively for social enterprises to focus on trade. The event will have three component parts:

• Exhibition – a platform exclusively for social enterprises to present their products and services to the market
• Meet the Buyer – pre-arranged meetings facilitated by UCIT and its partners (Ardee Business Centre and Tuath – Donegal Community & Local Development Centre) between social enterprises and potential buyers of their products/services
• Seminars – practical, business seminars to focus on issues relating to trade and commerce
  

It will also be the first time that an event of this scale has been organised to encourage engagement between the private sector, the social economy, the public sector, and members of the general public.

I am delighted that Stephen Sears from Ealing Community Transport (ECT), London, will launch the event. Stephen is recognised throughout the UK and beyond as a social entrepreneur, who has overseen the expansion of ECT into one of the UK's leading social enterprises. ECT was set up in 1987 as a community transport scheme. Following dynamic growth, the company now employs over 600 people with an annual turnover in excess of £24 million – of which just over 1% is in grant aid - across a range of services including bus and rail transport, recycling and health schemes.

In 2004, Stephen was awarded ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ and so I feel that it is wholly appropriate that Stephen should launch netWORKS 2008, the premier trade event for social enterprises in Ireland.

Finally, I would again like to welcome you and encourage you to join with us and secure your place whether it is as an exhibitor, a sponsor, a buyer or a visitor at this historic event, which will be held in the atmospheric surroundings of one of Belfast’s oldest trading venues, St. George’s Market.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the day!

Brian Howe
Chief Executive, UCIT