A level playing field urgently needs to be created by Government to recognise the unique contribution that social enterprises make to society, if they are to receive a fair slice of £1.9bn spent annually on public procurement, according to a leading social enterprise.

John Steele, Chairman of Bryson Charitable Group, made the call at the first all-Ireland Trade event for social enterprises known as ‘netWORKS 2008’, which was organised by the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT).  Commenting at the event Mr Steele urged the Department of Finance and Personnel, who oversee procurement of supplies, services and construction works, to consider adopting the  innovative practice already adopted by the British Government of ‘intelligent commissioning’ which includes setting a percentage target for public service contracts to be awarded to particular sectors including social economy enterprises.

“Social enterprises are losing out as result of current procurement assessment tools, which fail to fully consider the social and environmental impact of their work,” says Mr Steele, chairman of Bryson. “Urgent action is required to create a level playing field so that social enterprises can compete equitably with private sector business when pitching for government contracts. This needs to be fixed quickly given that over the next three years Government will spend £6bn as part of the investment strategy for Northern Ireland.”

One of UK’s leading social entrepreneurs, Stephen Sears, who runs ECT Recycling, flew into Belfast especially for the trade event said: “social enterprises provide an important source of innovation for the Northern Ireland economy. If you look at how health services are currently delivered existing service models are struggling to cope. We are now seeing social enterprises enter the market to provide social care more effectively. This can be replicated in other areas of public services.”

Until recently Sears headed the ECT Group, one of the UK’s leading social enterprises, with a £55m turnover and 1,300 employees. He is now responsible for its subsidiary business ECT Recycling which provides waste recycling services to local councils having been acquired last week for £15m by May Gurney, a listed company which provides maintenance and support services.

Around 100 social enterprises from across Ireland gathered for the trade event to network, meet with over 150 potential new buyers and to take part in business seminars sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland. Helen Matthews, chairperson of the trade event organisers Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) said: “Anyone will tell you that the real value in trade events is the opportunity to network with other people. It is through informal conversations, the development of new contacts and shared learning that business opportunities are developed and realised.”

The trade event has received support from well known business leaders such as CBI Chief Brian Ambrose, Martin Murphy of Hewlett-Packard and Senator Feargal Quinn, President of the Superquinn supermarket chain and was organised in partnership with Invest NI, Belfast City Council, Co-operation Ireland and the International Fund for Ireland.