About Us
We work across the East of England, our members are from diverse sectors covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
SEEE is the membership organisation for social enterprises. If you run a social enterprise, or support social enterprise we would love you to join our community of members.
Driving Social Change
At Social Enterprise East of England, we are dedicated to fostering social enterprises that create positive change in our communities. Our mission is to empower these organisations to thrive, communicate their impact, and demonstrate their social value.
Understanding our members’ needs
Understanding our members’ needs and supporting them in their business.
Nurturing positive conditions
Understanding our members’ needs and supporting them in their business.
Equipping communities
Understanding our members’ needs and supporting them in their business.
Our Team
Meet the passionate individuals behind our mission.
Deb Lee
Caroline Foot
Our Board
Meet the passionate individuals behind our mission.
Andy Brady
Nicky Stevenson
Ingrid Fawcett
Emma Millar
Dr Kiruben Naicker
Brigit Parker
David Broach
Working With You.
Be Part of the Movement.
Work with us to amplify your social impact and drive meaningful change in our communities.
awarded to create Social Enterprise Hubs in Cambridgeshire
active in Cambridgeshire tackling local challenges
connected across the East of England
Transforming Communities:
The Impact of Social Enterprise Initiatives
Social Enterprise East of England has empowered over 200 social enterprises, enhancing their reach and effectiveness. Our initiatives have generated significant social value, benefiting countless individuals and communities.
What Is Social Enterprise?
Social enterprises are businesses that trade with a clear social or environmental purpose at their core. They prioritise impact—reinforcing mission over profit—and reinvest most of their earnings back into community benefit.
Social Enterprise Definition
According to SEUK, a social enterprise must:
- Have a clear social/environmental mission embedded in governance.
- Operate independently from government, earning over half of its income through trading.
- Reinvest or donate at least half of its profits to that mission.
- Maintain transparency in both operations and impact.
Legal Structures
There’s no single legal model for social enterprise—they can take various forms, including:
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs)
- Companies Limited by Shares (CLSs)
- Co-operatives
- Community Benefit Societies
How they’re different
- Earn income through trading.
- Embed their social mission in governance documents.
- Reinvest surpluses to further impact.
- Often include an “asset lock” to prevent private gains.
- Are commonly community-owned.
- Provide jobs for those often excluded from mainstream labour markets.
The value they provide
These enterprises create jobs, stimulate local economies, and deliver public good; Especially for vulnerable communities.
In the UK, there are around 131,000 social enterprises, employing 2.3 million people, generating £78 billion in turnover, and reinvesting £1 billion in surpluses to drive their missions.
Learn more
Explore the State of Social Enterprise Report by SEUK—a comprehensive look at sector growth, challenges, and trends.
Join the SEEE Community
Become a member and unlock exclusive resources,
networking opportunities, and support for your social enterprise.
Access our Portal
Log in to explore exclusive resources, practical tools, funding updates, and member-only insights to support your work.