Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Society: New entrepreneurs who put conscience before profit

Ian Burrell
Monday 17 February 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A new breed of entrepreneur, motivated by social goals rather than material profits, will be as important to the first decade of the new millennium as the business entrepreneur was to the 1980s, according to new research.

A study to be published later this week by Demos, the independent think- tank, advises the Government to take account of the work of "social entrepreneurs" in its White Paper on social services, due to be published at the end of the month.

The study documents the rise of the social entrepreneur by studying the achievements of five individuals who have been able to network across private and public sectors to create "inspirational" social schemes.

Among those featured is Tony McGann, a former forklift truck driver, who became the charismatic leader of the Eldonian community project which helped local people to refurbish their own homes and avoid being rehoused.

Helen Taylor-Thompson, whose husband Derek is a former head of the Inland Revenue, led the campaign to re-open the Mildmay hospital in north London and played a vital role in establishing it as an international centre for Aids care.

The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur, by Charles Leadbeater, pounds 9.95. Demos 9 Bridewell Place, London EC4V 6AP.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in