Goodwill all round – University social enterprise partner wins again

University partner Goodwill Solutions won a Barclays Entrepreneur of the Year Award on Tuesday – notching up its fourth such recognition this year.

The win was announced at a ceremony in London hosted by Baroness Karren Brady CBE, who presented their award in the Social Enterprise category.

Ranked 76th in the Financial Times list of Fastest Growing Businesses in Europe, the community interest company – which supplies warehouse services to businesses both here and abroad – are no strangers to award success.

They had previously won a regional Barclays’ Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and then in September they also won in the Social Enterprise category at the UK Private Business Awards National Finals.

That was followed by the announcement they are to receive a Silver Award through the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in support of Armed Forces Covenant – for their provision to former services personnel in resettlement and in gaining employment.

This will be presented by Colonel Murray Colville TD DL, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Leicestershire at a special presentation dinner to be held next month.

The University of Northampton joined the business in 2012 as a stakeholder, as according to Professor Simon Denny, Executive Dean of Research, Impact and Enterprise, the two organisations share a desire and determination to create a positive impact on society through commerce.

“I am very proud of the great work Goodwill Solutions does and its constant drive for innovation is having a positive effect on the communities that we both serve locally, nationally, and internationally. For Goodwill Solutions and the University, social innovation is bringing new thinking to help tackle long-standing problems.

“These prestigious business awards that the team have won are a very clear demonstration that Goodwill Solutions is a successful and effective social innovator.”

It doesn’t end there, however, as Goodwill co-founders Graham Tomkins (above, centre) and Mike Britton (left), are also in the running for a NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Award in November.

Graham Tomkins said: “We are delighted that Goodwill Solutions CIC has been recognised for its social and commercial performances of recent years.

“For our innovative social business to be recognised in so many ways is totally unexpected and I would like to thank our employees, our customers, our service users, and the University of Northampton for helping us to achieve this recognition.”

The Community Interest Company provides work programmes for disadvantaged people, ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed.

During 2016 it supported more than 120 social clients through its ‘back-to-work’ programme, resulting in more than 60 gaining paid employment.  A further 300 clients were supported through engagement, vocational training towards employment through the Goodwill Solutions Learning Academy CIC.

In the last nine years Goodwill Solutions CIC has created a social business that delivers a community impact value in excess of £1.6m per year through its various commercial and social ventures, and achieved an impressive growth in turnover to £7.5m for 2016.

Steve Morgan, Managing Director of Goodwill Solutions CIC, the logistics arm of the group, said: “This has been a great year for Goodwill Solutions; our business has been recognised as a leader in the field of delivering social value by getting disadvantaged people in to work through commercial enterprise. Our commercial focus, coupled with the training and support provided to our clients, equips and motivates them to seek a paid workplace position.”

For more information about Goodwill Solutions CIC contact Mike Britton – mike.britton@goodwillsolutions.co.uk – 01604 643185