Gosbert Chagula MBE

As we celebrate Earth Day today, it's a perfect moment to reflect on how environmental responsibility influences every aspect of our businesses, including the bidding process. In the UK, social value questions typically represent 10% of the scoring in many bids, making it not just a moral obligation but a strategic advantage to embed sustainable practices into our operations. Earth Day emphasises the importance of conservation and sustainability, values that are integral to the social value components of bid management. By prioritising environmental impact, you can boost your bid scores and align more closely with the growing expectations of your customers who value sustainability. This alignment is crucial as more businesses and government entities look to partner with organisations that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. So, what can we do? 1. Review Environmental Policies: Regularly update your environmental policies and ensure they are robust and reflective of the latest sustainability practices. 2. Showcase Green Initiatives: In your bids, clearly articulate any green initiatives your company has implemented, such as reducing waste, using sustainable materials, or improving energy efficiency. 3. Quantify Achievements: Provide quantifiable achievements (e.g. percentage reduction in carbon footprint) to illustrate the effectiveness of your environmental practices. 4. Educate Your Team: Ensure that all team members are aware of the importance of social value in bids and are trained in how to communicate your company's environmental efforts effectively. Integrating social value focused on environmental impact isn't just about improving your bid scores... It's about proactively committing to sustainable growth. This Earth Day, let's renew our commitment to not only meet but exceed the social value expectations in our bids, enhancing our business prospects and our planet. Are you ready to transform your bids through strategic social value? Connect with me to learn how you can integrate these principles into your bidding strategy.

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Interesting article in @Cityam today by Stephen Timms arguing for a partnership between government and the impact economy: https://lnkd.in/eEYekcwm He specifically calls for the creation of an Office for the Impact Economy, as a  a joint Treasury-Business and Trade unit; saying "We need a new partnership between Government and the impact economy, putting shared values into practice to build a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all." Regardless of the result on Thursday, I hope that all parties will recognise the role that #SocialEnterprises and #Charities can and must play to unlock capital in order to tackle some of our most complex social challenges.

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💡Wealth Building 💡Devolving Power 💡Shared Prosperity Everything required to create more equity for Global Majority led enterprises. One of the methods to bring change is through equitable and inclusive Social Investment. 👈🏾 These important themes stood out to me from the Connect Fund closing event with Access - The Foundation for Social Investment and Barrow Cadbury Trust What a day full of examples, stories and learning opportunities. But it drilled home how much more work is needed. Sado Jirde Director of the Black Southwest Network spoke so eloquently and share her 3 ways for Black and Minoritiesed business to succeed and thrive: 1. Knowledge transferrance and Learning 2. Leadership, which must be visionary and purposeful 3. Investment, being 'Deeply Invested' in and accessing the resources needed. So aligned with the BUD Leaders Theory of change and ChallengeX2 movement We believe in collaboration over competition and we've agreed to connect to share, learn and explore ways to amplify our work! Together we are stronger indeed 💪🏾 Loved your closing speech Dilys Kyeiwaa Winterkorn and all that you do with Pathway Fund to help solve this inequity. And great to hear about all of Diversity Forums work Salma Perveen. The Connect fund has truly made an impact in the Social Investment world as a whole, lots of other organisations shared how this programme has supported a range of communities in great ways! Super inspired by organisations like Kindred LCR We've also managed to benefit through our Facilitating Black Brilliance programme with Sumerian Foundation and BUD Leaders after we pitched and won at an event! 🙌🏾 Infact do join in here: https://ivlv.me/FPTYB Lovely to see familiar faces and meet new ones 😊 Nivethika Srirangan Kate Poulter Chloe Stables Tim West Joshua H. Meek Chris Blues #socialinvestment #equity #challengeX2 #BUDCX2

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It is an honour to be invited by Bournemouth University's department of Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship as a guest speaker. I will be sharing lessons and stories from the field of using frugal innovation to build sustainable solutions & resilient communities in 10+ countries. Dr Osikhuemhe Okwilagwe - I look forward to meeting your team and students soon! Ycenter #guestspeaker #humancentereddesign #frugalinnovation #emergingtech #resilientcommunities #sustainability #solutiondesign #keynote #humanitarianengineering #ethnography #entrepreneurship #startup

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Important to complete this

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Nice read on #edtech from Startup Coalition. When I started drafting a version of this in 2022 the AI/plagiarism policy question was new. In less than two years, look at how fast we've moved...

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I'll be joining a panel at the Innovation Zero Energy Forum on Wednesday morning to talk about investments in energy infrastructure. We'll be touching upon the investments needed in our energy network infrastructure, but more importantly about how critical the role that transforming how our energy networks are built and operated is critical to unlocking energy investments from offshore megafarms to EV chargepoints. #energyinnovation #OfgemSIF Innovate UK Innovate UK Business Connect

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Powering the creative and digital sector I am very pleased that the methods and results of the applied research I led on 'Creative Ramsgate' (see the full report on my LI page) are feeding into this new work in West Sussex led by my long-term associate James Byford at Adventures and Wisdom Institute where I am an Advisory Board member. My current focus includes connecting applied research on different creative and digital ecosystems to support their development in the UK especially as part of new partnership work to supercharge socioeconomic impacts. This draws on the Brighton 'FuseBox' project (see full report on my LI page) developing creative and digital innovators that I led and worked on with James Byford as well as similar work I have undertaken in South Wales, London and Kent. Key findings about creative and digital sector include: - Place-making is an intrinsic part of building ecosystems. - Supportive networks are vital to share learning, problem-solve and create paths to success. - Entrepreneurs learn best from each other's stories of success and failure. - Policy and economic strategies need to address the full range of SME needs from the independent practitioner to the bigger venture. - Upscaling is a major challenge at all levels and advice needs to be fit for purpose and cover strategy and timing as much as investment issues. Existing as well as this new applied research in West Sussex is relevant to policymakers at all levels as well as investors and others keen to see new creative and digital ecosystems develop and thrive. I am grateful to my constantly evolving networks across research, policy, start-up and investment sectors for the inspiration and learning they bring. Donna Close FRSAWest Sussex County CouncilKent County CouncilAlison PartridgeUwe DerksenKealy WhenrayDaniel E.Chris SmithCentre for the New MidlandsThe Margate SchoolJonathan SapsedUK Research and InnovationDigital CatapultDiane Vernon MBE FIEPProfessor Kerstin MeyChiara HewerUniversity of GreenwichEliza EastonDr Cara CourageGhislaine BoddingtonCouncil for Higher Education in Art and DesignEmma WilcoxKhaled GalalDr Nathan MatthewsCapital EnterpriseOneTechSolent Partners

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An empowering spin on otherwise plain terminology can massively boost your products. Read my latest post for more Tilbury tips on top-tier marketing that makes customers feel their best: https://lnkd.in/e57Di3fS #marketing #empowerment #customers #charlottetilbury #substack

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Interesting editorial today on the (absence of) #climate in the #GeneralElection debate It calls, among other things, for politicians to raise their ambition and for the next UK government to "face down the cynics and lobbyists." I have great news for the next government. Your voters agree. Climate Outreach's Britain Talks Climate found that people are crying out for more bold leadership - they want politicians to chart a path we can all follow to net zero. They want this to feel like a collective mission - like creating the NHS - not something we are left to face alone. And people want to be part of it. There is an urgent need to involve people in this transition in a way we simply haven't yet. Properly informing, listening to, engaging with people on #climate is a massive opportunity. We want to try and help whoever forms the next government get this right. It's too important not to. https://lnkd.in/gUMuYNyP

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You likely know of my obsession with supporting #femalefounders, which is why I'm honored to be part of this mission to build #femtech solutions and and surround #femtechfounders with the resources they need. Check out Melissa's video below and be on the lookout for one from me to update you on the what, why, who, and when of ✨Fierce Foundry✨ Spoiler: the "when" is now 💪

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For the right person, an important role

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Place-based impact investing is gaining traction in the UK's Local Government Pension Scheme in part because pioneering funds like the £11 billion South Yorkshire Pensions Authority (SYPA) are being public about how and why they do it, and how they feel about the results they have delivered in both impact and performance. SYPA's George Graham describes how the fund stepped in to provide development finance to get a commercial development off the ground in Sheffield, or help convert former foundries into low-carbon homes, also in Sheffield. He notes that the pension fund's impact portfolio has met its financial performance targets and emphasises that "[SYPA] are investors, we are not philanthropists. We need to invest to pay pensions. So, anything we do in the impact side of the book has to meet the same financial hurdles as anything in the non-impact side of the book.” #impactinvesting #placemaking #lgps #pensions Danielle Rossingh Pensions for Purpose Impact Investing Institute The Good Economy https://lnkd.in/erSp7k48

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Charities and Government Excellent Research from Pro Bono Economics who have published a very useful free resource for charities https://lnkd.in/e_a8ybFN . This says "The 2024 General Election brought 335 new MPs into the House of Commons. For the many charities that seek to influence parliamentarians, this creates a significant challenge. That’s 335 new MPs to research and sift through to try and understand if they might be inclined to support a charity’s cause. "Many small charities cannot afford parliamentary monitoring systems or expensive agencies to do that sifting for them. If hundreds of organisations all undertake the same research into those MPs’ backgrounds, it means massive amounts of duplication and wasted time for already time-starved organisations. Also see https://lnkd.in/ebSvCG_Y which explains that "Experience in the charity sector has accelerated the most dramatically of all with this new Cabinet. #Starmer has appointed eight #Cabinet members who have previously worked within the charity sector. That is a quadrupling of charity experience at the top of government." CFG : Charity Finance Group Charity News Association of Charitable Foundations Association of Chairs The Resource Alliance Charity Excellence - a FREE one-stop-shop for everything a non-profit needs.

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This stagnation of innovation levels over the longer term makes for grim reading. The current large increase in 'lack of qualified personnel' as a barrier to innovation is particularly worrying, BUT calls for 'more STEM graduates' will only be part of the solution - as indicated in here, non-STEM graduates are also vital, and we risk ignoring that in the 'bonfire of the humanities'. Additionally, as we found in a study on the Foundations Industry a couple of years ago (https://lnkd.in/d5-xhF6p) leadership and management skills, sub-degree level technical skills, communication and other soft skills, ability to apply knowledge in a specific context (and more) are all likely to be part of the explanation for the 'lack of qualified personnel' barrier. Especially deficiencies in the skills of our managers and leaders. How much of this might be due to declining business investment in training is another critical question. There are no easy answers but there are potential ways forward in fostering collaboration between businesses, coaching and mentoring schemes and, at the macro-level, providing a stable policy environment which might encourage investment in skills and innovation. For now though, low demand amongst business is a long-term problem which shows signs of worsening, not going away. SQW #innovation #skills #SHAPE #colleges #business #leadership

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Business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP and Teesside University have launched a new higher-level sustainability apprenticeship. The 18-month Sustainability Business Specialist apprenticeship, which is designed for employees in sustainability roles as well as leaders and entrepreneurs who want to increase their understanding of sustainable business practices, will see participants work towards a Level 7 qualification. Through a combination of in-person and online learning, participants will learn about sustainability principles and theories, leading sustainable organisations, and how to apply sustainability across global operations, innovation and finance. #sustainability #netzero #carbonreduction https://lnkd.in/dB8R5g3x

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📣 Funding of up to £50K available to West Mids innovators with green transport solutions 📣 Applications are now open for the Clean Futures Accelerator, your chance to get up to £50K to develop your green transport solution. Clean Futures is supporting the West Midlands’ transport sector as it transitions away from fossil fuels towards clean tech and driving economic growth in the region by accelerating the route to market for SMEs in the sector. The programme will select 20 SMEs to join a 6-month, challenge-led accelerator where they will receive up to £50,000 to trial their solution. The challenges for this accelerator are:  -Clean and efficient vehicle manufacturing and assembly  -Design or production of cost-effective solutions for a clean transportation infrastructure -Future fuels: produce, transport, or store alternative fuels such as hydrogen or biofuels  -Open challenge Find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gxQ8er9N

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🚀 **Unlocking Growth through Innovation: Why SMEs in the UK Should Embrace Change** 🚀 In today’s fast-paced business environment, innovation is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity, especially for SMEs in the UK. Here's why: 1. **Competitive Edge**: By adopting new technologies and innovative practices, SMEs can differentiate themselves from competitors. Whether it's through enhanced product offerings, improved customer service, or streamlined operations, innovation keeps businesses ahead of the curve. 2. **Increased Efficiency**: Innovation often leads to automation and improved processes. This means SMEs can reduce costs and increase productivity. For instance, adopting cloud computing or AI can significantly cut down on manual tasks, freeing up time for strategic planning. 3. **Access to New Markets**: Innovation opens doors to new markets. With the rise of e-commerce and digital platforms, SMEs can now reach a global audience. A small business in Oldham can easily sell to customers in New York or Tokyo, expanding their market reach exponentially. 4. **Funding Opportunities**: The UK government and various organizations offer grants and incentives for innovative businesses. Programs like Innovate UK provide financial support to SMEs working on groundbreaking projects, making it easier to turn visionary ideas into reality. 5. **Resilience and Adaptability**: The recent pandemic showed us the importance of being adaptable. SMEs that embraced digital transformation were better equipped to handle disruptions. Innovation fosters a culture of resilience, enabling businesses to pivot quickly and efficiently in response to changing circumstances. In summary, innovation is the key to sustainable growth and long-term success for SMEs in the UK. By staying ahead of technological trends and continuously improving, small and medium-sized businesses can not only survive but thrive in the competitive landscape. Ready to innovate and grow? Let’s connect and discuss how we can leverage the latest advancements to drive your business forward! Please drop me an email and we can discuss innovation in more detail - Suzy.chapman@oldham.ac.uk Watch this space for more exciting announcements about innovation support for local businesses in Oldham 🚀 #Innovation #SMEs #Growth #UKBusiness #DigitalTransformation

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