Ogden-Newton rejects NAVCA Chief's attack on social enterprise

27/10/2009

Social Enterprise London Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton today responded to a series of comments from NAVCA Chief Executive Kevin Curley criticising the purpose and value of social enterprise.

The comments, posted on the social networking site Twitter, queried whether social enterprise is a ‘respectable veneer for profiteers’, whether it provides ‘an excuse to axe grants’ and whether being a social enterprise ‘gives you a licence to do anything which makes money regardless of mission and values’.

Ogden-Newton’s response, published today in an open letter to Mr Curley, was unequivocal:

“The social entrepreneurs I work with on a daily basis are some of the most brilliant, community spirited, determined individuals I have ever met… to suggest that at the heart of social enterprise is anything other than the desire to achieve lasting social change is a gross inaccuracy”.

She also commented:

“As the leader of an organisation which claims to be the ‘national voice of local third sector infrastructure in England’, I am surprised and disappointed at your apparent lack of understanding of the structures, aims and values of a crucial element of your sector…”

Click here to read Allison Ogden-Newton's response in full.