Two
social enterprises, one first-of-its-kind partnership
Our role
Facilitating the creation of the UK’s first social enterprise hub
Featuring
PwC Foundation, Real Estate and Charities tax teams
Outcome
The creation of a model of social enterprise sector collaboration
A significant and fast-growing part of the UK economy, social enterprise is embedded in our towns and cities. Our work with social enterprise is at the core of our purpose strategy and nothing embodies this more than our social enterprise hub in London, The Fire Station.
Setting the scene
For 12 years The Fire Station housed our strategic partners, Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) and the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE). By bringing them together, we played a significant role in driving sector growth and collaboration, ultimately assisting in the creation of the UK’s first social enterprise hub.
Our work
When SEUK and the SSE became tenants at The Fire Station, we supported them with subsidised rent, operational assistance, and sourcing and supplying furniture to bring this social enterprise hub to life.
More than a decade on, the PwC Foundation, along with our Real Estate and Charities Tax teams, have helped both organisations transition from tenants of the Fire Station to co-owners of their own building on Dock Street in London.
This support ranged from offering VAT and legal advice, to operational real estate assistance, providing reused furniture from our PwC offices and helping with the physical move itself.
“We wouldn’t be the organisation we are today without the support of PwC.”
Alastair Wilson
CEO, School for Social Entrepreneurs
“We have been supporting the social enterprise sector for over 15 years. Our collaboration with The School for Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprise UK is mutually beneficial, and we look forward to continuing our support both in their new home and across the UK.”
David Adair
Director of Community Engagement and The PwC Foundation
Our impact
Over the course of their Fire Station tenancy, and move to their new building, SEUK and the SSE received support from PwC worth in excess of £1m.
Ultimately, the aim was to ensure SEUK and the SSE could create their own space and for the transition from building tenant to ownership to be as smooth as possible.
In 2023, and with the support of PwC, both organisations successfully co-invested £3 million in a new shared London headquarters - making a first-of-its kind partnership that they hope will serve as a model for sector collaboration.
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