This interactive workshop is designed to help businesses gain a clear, practical understanding of what it truly means to be a social enterprise. Through expert guidance and case studies from the creative sector, you'll explore different legal structures and governance models, and assess how they align with your mission, values, and long-term goals. Whether you're curious about the benefits, unsure about the trade-offs, or ready to take the next step, this session will equip you with the insights to make informed decisions about your business identity.
By the end of the session, you will be able to:
• Evaluate whether adopting a social enterprise identity aligns with your business purpose and creative mission.
• Understand the key differences between legal structures and governance models that support purpose-driven business, and the practical obligations.
• Apply practical tools and templates to help shape, grow, and scale a business that delivers both creative value and social impact.
The workshop will cover:
• Understanding social enterprise
What it really means to be a social enterprise - and how it differs from other business models.
• Creative sector case studies
Real-life examples of creative businesses that have adopted a social enterprise identity.
• Legal structures & governance
Key differences between structures like sole-trader, CICs and limited companies, including governance and practical obligations.
• Tools & templates for purpose-driven growth
Practical resources to help you develop and scale.
• Aligning structure with your mission
Guided reflection to help you assess which best fits your values and goals.
• Q&A
An opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and get tailored advice from the presenters and peers
The session will include presentation content to the whole group and small breakout sessions. Please use the opportunity to submit questions ahead of the workshop for the presenters to address during the workshop.
About the speakers:
This session will be presented by Dorothy Francis and Emma Compson; Co-Directors at CASE (Co-operative and Social Enterprise Development Agency). Combined, they have supported in excess of 400 social purpose-based organisations and individuals to start up, develop, scale and sustain successful ventures in the East Midlands and beyond. All of these do business for good.
CASE is a chosen professional support provider for a wide variety of advisory contracts and tailored services, including entrepreneurial growth and cooperative development programmes.
There will also be the opportunity to ask questions during the workshop.