Motorola Solutions has signed up to the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, run by Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) a ground-breaking initiative which sees leading companies open up their supply chains to more social enterprises. As a global leader in mission-critical communications, Motorola Solutions’ commitment to innovation is fuelled by its dedication to employees, customers, communities and the environment. This new partnership aligns with the company’s three guiding principles: to operate ethically, to protect the environment, and to support the communities in which it operates.
The Buy Social Corporate Challenge is designed to help large businesses in the UK to engage with a range of innovative suppliers and embeds corporate responsibility and diversity into their core operations. By joining the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, Motorola Solutions identified several local social enterprises which are part of the scheme that the company has already worked with, including Stonewall Equality Ltd., Windsor Leadership Trust, The British Red Cross, Embrace Child Victims of Crime and St. John Ambulance.
“We will build on this foundation of working with important social enterprises to further expand our contributions to good causes,” said Martin Woodford, Director of Corporate Development and Governance at Motorola Solutions UK Managed Services. “Our teams are working to identify suitable new social enterprise suppliers, operating across recycling, facilities management, HR services and web design, to expand our social commitment in the UK even further.”
Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive at Social Enterprise UK added: “There’s a simple premise at the heart of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge that businesses can use their core procurement spend to make the world a better place. This is beyond CSR, it’s about embedding real impact into a business’s everyday spend. It’s a pleasure to welcome Motorola Solutions to the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, and we look forward to working with them to help them find more social enterprise suppliers. We hope many more businesses follow their example and sign up.”
There are approximately 100,000 social enterprises in the UK these are businesses set up to trade for a social or environmental purpose. From coffee companies creating jobs for people who are homeless, to not-for-profit care services for the elderly social enterprises now operate in nearly every part of the economy.
In signing up, Motorola Solutions joins 23 other companies from different industries, including Amey, Johnson and Johnson, PwC and Zurich. The Challenge has a bold ambition: to achieve a total, cumulative spend of £1 billion with social enterprises. The Buy Social Corporate Challenge is run by Social Enterprise UK, the membership body for social enterprises with the support of Business in the Community and the government’s Inclusive Economy Unit.
About the Buy Social Corporate Challenge
The Corporate Challenge is now in its fifth year. The Challenge was launched at Number 11 Downing Street with seven founding partners and has now grown to over 20 partners. Current partners are Amey, BP, Engie, Foodbuy, ISG, Johnson and Johnson, Landmarc, Linklaters, Lendlease, LV =, Motorola Solutions, Nationwide, PWC, Robertson Group, Santander, SAP, Wates, Wilmott Dixon and Zurich. In the first three years of the Challenge £65.2 million was spent by partners with social enterprises.
About Social Enterprises
Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social purpose that reinvest or donate over half their profits to further this social or environmental mission. They are an increasingly important part of the UK economy contributing £60 billion and employing 2 million people. Estimates are there are 100,000 in the UK. Research carried out by Social Enterprise UK, the membership body for the sector, shows they are outperforming traditional businesses when it comes to start-up rates, turnover growth and innovation. They are also ahead of the pack when it comes to workforce diversity and pay. For more information and statistics see Social Enterprise UK’s State of Social enterprise Report 2019 and the ‘Hidden Revolution’ report which showed the true scale and impact of the sector.
About Social Enterprise UK
Social Enterprise UK (socialenterprise.org.uk) is the largest network of certified social enterprises in the UK and the leading global authority on social enterprises. Together with our members, we are the voice for the sector. We have led public policy for 15 years, helping pass the Social Value Act, and are a strategic partner to the government. We exist to increase the profile of the sector through our campaign and research, and build the markets for our members – working with some of the UK’s biggest companies to support them to bring social enterprises into their supply chains. Our members reflect the diversity of the sector ranging from local grass-roots organisations to multi-million-pound businesses. We see social enterprise as the future of business.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions (motorolasolutions.com) is a global leader in mission-critical communications and analytics. Our technology platforms in mission-critical communications, command center software, video security & analytics, bolstered by managed & support services, make cities safer and help communities and businesses thrive. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a new era in public safety and security.
Media Contacts:
Susanne Stier – Motorola Solutions
M: +49(0)172 6161773 – E: Susanne.Stier[.]motorolasolutions.com.
Shehan Perera – Social Enterprise UK
P: +44(0)20 3589 4950 – E: Shehan.perera[.]socialenterprise.org.uk.
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