Aspire boosts social enterprise arm through takeover

NORTH Staffordshire housing group Aspire has acquired Social Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM) for an undisclosed sum.

Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Aspire Group comprises Aspire Housing, social enterprise arm Enterprising Futures and regeneration charity the Realise Foundation.

SEWM – the business network for social enterprises – will become part of Enterprising Futures, which is currently made up of training company PM Training and furniture re-use charity Furniture Mine.

SEWM provides membership services, brokerage, consultancy, networking, training and support events for more than 400 members, partners and stakeholders in the West Midlands.

Its aim is to help boost social enterprises in order to create greater social and economic benefits for the region.

Will Nixon, deputy chief executive of the Aspire Group and chief executive of Enterprising Futures, said: “The Aspire Group has taken a lead role in championing social enterprises.

“We work with more than 800 businesses across Staffordshire who want to help young people into work and act in a socially responsible way.

“Joining with Social Enterprise West Midlands will mean we can provide more support for businesses across the region to grow, become more profitable and to invest more in their communities.”