Mayor leads launch of social economy drive

The Social Economy Launch Breakfast kicked off a week of events to support the growth of the Social Economy in the West Midlands.

 Leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across the region got up bright and early to come together to drive forward a collective vision for strengthening the region’s social economy.

The event was sponsored by and hosted at the offices of AtkinsRéalis, which spotlighted the importance of collaboration and practical action in fostering inclusive growth and creating sustainable communities.

Dan Heffernan, strategic social value lead at AtkinsRealis and current Chair of the WMCA Cornerstone Employer Group, said: “In order to achieve the growth ambitions of this government, we need the skills and workforce to increase productivity and deliver projects on the ground.

“That’s why it’s vital to engage with young people and demonstrate the real opportunities that are available across a number of different sectors. We have made a public commitment to support 500 opportunities across the region, including work experience, and delivered a number of trailblazing programmes with voluntary partners.

“The Social Economic Drive is really about imagining a West Midlands where every person has access to quality education and meaningful opportunities, a community where economic disparity is diminished and everyone has a chance to succeed. I believe that is an achievable reality if we work together and collaborate through initiatives such as this.”

The event was opened up by Mayor of the Midlands, Richard Parker providing insights into the Mayoral priorities, setting the stage for a discussion on aligning the social economy with the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) vision.

CEO of WMCA Laura Shoaf followed, delivering a compelling talk on practical steps to support the social economy, providing actionable advice for attendees to strengthen the ecosystem through innovation, partnerships, and strategic investment.

The Social Economy drive is a transformative initiative aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth by empowering community-focused enterprises, charities, and cooperatives across the West Midlands. It seeks to leverage the region’s diverse talents and resources to create a thriving ecosystem that prioritises social impact alongside financial success.

By championing collaboration between public, private, and third-sector organisations, the initiative aims to address key societal challenges, including inequality, unemployment, and environmental sustainability. With a focus on innovation, skills development, and investment in socially-driven enterprises, the Social Economy drive is central to building resilient communities and a stronger, fairer regional economy.

Check out the full schedule of events HERE.