Ceri Clements - An Interview with the Director of THE HUB

Ceri Clements, director of the Bristol 'Hub',  on running an 'innovation environment' and supporting the development of new social businesses.

1. What is social business?

A social business is an enterprise that operates in the traditional business environment but whose profits or surpluses are channelled into social good rather than shareholder's pockets!

2. What is The Hub?

The Hub is a shared office space, specifically set up to incubate and nurture the growing number of social businesses in Bristol. It provides a great space for its members that allows for innovation and creative thinking, as well as numerous networking opportunities with like-minded values-driven professionals. We have become quite a community since we opened our doors over a year ago, with 85 members all operating their businesses out of the same building. We are kind of a real world Facebook for social entrepreneurs where the environment lends itself to the easy exchange of ideas and skills. Managing the whole operation, it is amazing to see how many links are always being formed between the different organisations based here - either resulting in doing business together or sharing relevant skills. We regularly hold workshops given by members for the rest of the community to pass on specific expertise, ranging from PR to procurement and accounting to conflict resolution.

3. Is Bristol a good place to ‘do’ social business? Why?

Bristol has long been the home for some of the UK's most prominent third sector organisations and charities. There is now an emerging generation of social entrepreneurs who want to continue this legacy but in a more commercial context. We recognise this trend and have set up The Hub to nurture these organisations and allow them to grow. At the heart of it all is the desire to create social value but thrive in the traditional business environment.

4. How did you first become interested in the concept of social business?

Following several different roles in the corporate sector, I had become disillusioned with the monotony of the rat race. I started to look for something that could be more fulfilling but still keep me in the commercial sector. I was inspired by the team who were setting up The Hub and shared their vision and values. I was lucky enough to be offered a role right at the beginning of its existence in Bristol and have never really looked back. It’s definitely the best job I have ever had! 5. What excites you about the businesses that work out of the Hub? Firstly this is an environment where a lot of new ideas and concepts are created, discussed and sometimes put into action. Being around this exchange of creative thinking is a real buzz. Secondly there are some very successful organisations here and it is really exciting to share in their day-to-day achievements. Thirdly it's the people - all of the social entrepreneurs operating out of the Hub share an energy and a passion for what they do that is really infectious.

6. What unites the businesses in The Hub? What divides them? Do they ever disagree?

What unites the businesses in The Hub is their desire to create social value from their operations. This can come in so many different forms and so far there are no direct competitors vying for the same business! We have an expert in natural swimming pools, ethical journalists, business mentors, a market researcher, social scientists, a climate change charity, a not-for-profit water company to name but a few. It would be mad to think that they agree on everything they do and stand for and we encourage as much discussion and debate between members as possible - that's what makes it such an interesting place to work!

7. How much knowledge is there about social business in the wider business world? Are you seen as batty eccentrics or exciting innovators?

I think there is a growing awareness of social enterprises in the wider business world. More and more organisations are now looking for an ethical alternative to their traditional suppliers, be that for cleaning services or financial advice. The motive for doing this can be an enlightened sense of responsibility, but mostly its compliance with regulation or customer pressure that's forcing them down this route. Most of our businesses are seen as exciting innovators moving into or even creating new markets, stimulated by this demand. I don't think it will be long though, before they are leading a mainstream trend with other similar companies trying to emulate their success.

8. How would you counter arguments that social business can never compete in a ruthlessly capitalist free-market economy?

Social businesses acknowledge that change has to come from within the existing system. Therefore they are set up to succeed as enterprises within the existing free-market economy. These are real businesses managed by dynamic entrepreneurs with a social conscience - not the stereotypical hair-shirted activist of yesteryear! They provide an ethical or more environmentally sound alternative to traditional products and services. Demand for the services provided by social business is driven only in part by the marketing efforts of the organisations themselves. It mainly comes from changes in legislation, regulation, customer pressure, compliance with supply chains and the need to drive competitive advantage. All of these create market trends that social businesses can take advantage of.

9. What’s next for The Hub?

There’s a lot happening in The Hub network, with Hubs opening up in places such as Mumbai Berlin, Sao Paulo and Johannesburg. A Hub networking platform has been developed to enable closer working with a wider range of people both in this country and across the world. Going forward, we want to attract more like-minded values-driven professionals out of their sheds, back rooms and corporate drudgery into the Hub to take advantage of the inspiring work environment we provide.

For more information, please visit: www.the-hub.net www.rise-sw.co.uk