Our events in 2015-2016
Workshop on Balancing Social and Commercial Objectives in Social Enterprise
Professor Bob Doherty, Deputy Dean at The York Management School, University of York, shared his expertise and experience in the workshop on Balancing Social and Commercial Objectives in Social Enterprise, held on Friday 24 July 2015 in partnership with the British Council.
Professor Doherty was formerly Head of Sales and Marketing at the world’s leading social enterprise, Divine Chocolate. Launched in 1998, Divine was able to challenge the trade status quo and the way the chocolate industry operates, becoming the first ever farmer-owned Fairtrade chocolate company aimed at the mass market. So how has Divine maintained its success over the past 17 years? And what are the challenges of maintaining a successful, sustainable social enterprise?
The workshop brought together over thirty social entrepreneurs from across Thailand, with each individual at various stages in their journey in becoming a successful, sustainable social enterprise. Social entrepreneurship in Thailand has full government support in the form of the Thai Social Enterprise Office (TSEO), but learning how to balance the social and commercial objectives, as well as the tensions, trade-offs and possible competitive advantages that can result from this from an expert in the field was an invaluable opportunity for our workshop participants.
Download: Balancing social and commercial objectives in social enterprise
Business and Investment Readiness Programme
Our events in 2014-2015
Thailand-UK University Dialogue on Social Enterprise and the Role of Higher Education Institutions
Thailand-UK University Dialogue on Social Enterprise and the Role of Higher Education Institutions has outlined the importance of social enterprise and the role of higher education institutions, as well as defining the objective to develop the possibility of cooperation concerning social enterprise development between British and Thai universities.
Download: Thailand-UK University Dialogue on Social Enterprise and the Role of Higher Education Institutions
Roundtable Policy Discussion with Sir Ronald Cohen, Chair of the G8 Social Investment Taskforce
On 27 February 2015, the British Council Thailand brought together senior Thai government and business figures to meet with Sir Ronald Cohen to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with social investment through a roundtable policy discussion. Bringing Sir Ronald head to head with the Oxford-educated Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Chair of the Stock Exchange of Thailand and prominent business leaders in a frank and inspiring two hour session at the British Embassy was just one part of an intensive couple of days for Sir Ronald in Bangkok.
So often with VIP visits, we neglect to involve the people who really count – the young people – and in this case those who are already working to create positive social change through their businesses in Thailand. It was wonderful to see so many of them present at the Embassy, networking and sharing what they believe to be necessary to enable greater strides in social enterprise growth in the country.
Download: Sir Ronald Cohen in Thailand
Social Investment Market: Beyond CSR & Philanthropy
This special forum on 27 February 2015 opened the door for senior executives, stakeholders in the Thai capital market community and the general public to meet and exchange views on opportunities and challenges associated with social investment. Sir Ronald Cohen, Chair of the G8 Social Investment Taskforce, took part in the forum. In addition, two investment gurus, Durreen Shahnaz and Wiwan Tharahirunchote, shared their experiences and vision on social investment in Thailand.
An excellent speaker, he took to the floor at the Stock Exchange of Thailand to take an audience of predominantly social entrepreneurs through his story of how he played a crucial part in changing the social investment environment and gaining the support of government in the UK to support “business which improves people’s lives”. There was no need for power point slides. Sir Ronald’s story, starting with the creation of his own multimillion pound business at the age of 26, captured our attention and imagination.