46 businesses so far benefit from support of Deloitte employees

Business advisory firm Deloitte has been recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron with a Big Society Award for their programme supporting 46 socially-focussed businesses.

The Social Innovation Pioneers programme helps businesses set up to solve social problems become sustainable, scalable and investment-ready by using the skills and expertise of volunteer Deloitte employees.  The programme was started last year with over 30 social businesses and one year on, a further 16 businesses have been selected.  They range in sector, turnover and the causes they address including a number of social and environmental issues. 

The pioneers are given access to a series of workshops, one-to-one support and targeted pro-bono projects supported by Deloitte employees. It also includes introductions to business clients, access to supply chains and networking opportunities.  

Employees at Deloitte are encouraged and empowered to use their skills and capabilities to help these social businesses, and have become more involved in their local communities.

Over the first 12-month period the programme has:

• seen turnover of the Pioneer businesses increase by 45%, generated jobs equating to 80 full-time and 41 part-time roles
• prompted over 600 Deloitte employees to sign up to be part of the Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneer Network
• generated a total of over 3000 volunteer hours given to Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneers by Deloitte employees during the first six months of the programme

Prime Minister David Cameron said, "Deloitte's Social Innovation Pioneer programme harnesses the skills and expertise of big business to help small social companies grow. The support of Deloitte has seen some great businesses become investment-ready, as well as getting the team more involved in their local communities. I'm delighted to be recognising Deloitte's achievements with this Big Society Award."

Claire Bench, head of corporate responsibility and the Pioneers programme at Deloitte, said, “We are extremely proud that the firm has been recognised with the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award for the work done with social enterprises over the last year.  The project has helped Deloitte to innovate in areas such as procurement, recruitment, sustainability and volunteering, and to think differently as a firm, moving away from more traditional forms of corporate responsibility and we aim to continue this over the coming years.”