Social Economy Conference & Expo 2025: A Must-Attend Event for the West Midlands Social Economy
23rd October 2025
Wednesday 19 November 2025 | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Millennium Point, Birmingham | Part of the Social Economy Drive 2025
The Social Economy Conference & Expo is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the West Midlands’ social economy calendar.
Organised by BSSEC CIC, Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs (iSE) and West Midlands Combined Authority, the event will bring together social enterprises, funders, anchor institutions, local authorities, corporates and business support partners for a full day of inspiration, learning and collaboration.
With a fantastic line-up of speakers, five themed panel discussions, and an Expo showcasing over 25 organisations, this is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to be part of the region’s growing social economy movement.
>>> BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE HERE <<<
Why attend?
🔹 Hear directly from leading voices across the sector — including WMCA, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Standing Tall, Living Well Consortium, Loconomy, Power to Change and many more.
🔹 Gain practical insights from five themed panel sessions covering systems change, innovation, finance, place-based solutions and growth.
🔹 Explore the Expo and meet 25+ exhibitors, funders and partners.
🔹 Make valuable new connections across the VCSE, public and private sectors.
Full Programme & Speakers
🕘 9:00am – Registration, refreshments and networking
🗣 9:30am – Welcome & Introductions
Facilitator: Sarah Beaumont, Director, BSSEC CIC
🎤 9:35am – Conference Welcome
Fireside Chat with Afzal Hussain and Sarah Beaumont: ‘Hear from a Peer!’
Learn about Afzal’s experiences of navigating the social economy ecosystem, working in partnership, accessing growth capital and growing an amazing social business.
Panel 1: SYSTEM — Maximising the power of the ecosystem
🕘 10:00am – 10:50am
Chair: Asif Afridi, CEO, Barrow Cadbury Trust – championing equality, human rights and social justice
• Charles Rapson, Head of Social Economy, WMCA – leading regional strategy to grow the social economy
• Karolina Medwecka, East Birmingham Programme Development Manager, Birmingham City Council – driving place-based regeneration and partnership working
• Gayle Monk, Legal Director, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP – specialist in public sector law, commissioning and social value
☕ Networking & Expo
Panel 2: INNOVATION — Where the social economy is driving change for communities
🕘 11:00am – 12:00pm
Chair: Chris Smith, Centre for the New Midlands – shaping research and policy to support innovation and growth
• Ben Howells, CEO, Living Well Consortium – transforming mental health and wellbeing support through collaboration
• Christy Acton, CEO, Standing Tall – pioneering employment models for people facing homelessness
• Kevin Davis DL, CEO, The Vine Trust – leading community-driven regeneration initiatives
• Gabriela Matouskova, CEO, Hope 4 The Community – social prescribing and community health
☕ Networking & Expo
Panel 3: MONEY — Where’s the money?
🕘 12:10pm – 1:00pm
Chair: Melanie Mills, Head of Social Sector Engagement, Better Society Capital – connecting social enterprises with social investment
• Holger Westphely, Managing Director, Big Issue Invest – supporting social enterprises to scale with investment
• Tim Landreth, Business Development Manager, Nuneaton Signs – supporting a social enterprise employing people with disabilities
• Matt Smith, CEO, Key Fund Investments – funding and backing social enterprises across the UK
🍽 Lunch, networking & Expo
Panel 4: PLACE — Building resilient communities
🕘 1:30pm – 2:20pm
Chair: Meena Bharadwa, Access Foundation – championing place-based impact and funding innovation
• Cheryl Jones / Jo Capper, Grand Union – leading on asset-based community development
• Natalie White, Practice & Innovation Manager, Power to Change — supporting community businesses to thrive
• Geoff Henderson, CEO, Urban Hax — maker spaces and innovation for community growth
☕ Networking & Expo
Panel 5: GROWTH — Best practice and successful growth models
🕘 2:40pm – 3:30pm
Chair: Dan Carins, WMCA Growth Hub — business support and growth strategy for the social economy
• Joy Doal, CEO, Anawim — women-centred services and social enterprise leadership
• David Abosch, CEO, Recognition Circular CIC — circular economy and sustainable enterprise
• Ifor Jones, CEO, Loconomy — community wealth and procurement solutions
• Asha Patel, CEO, Innovating Minds — mental health and social impact growth
📝 3:35pm–3:55pm – News from WMCA
New opportunities for social economy organisations in social investment and procurement
Chair: Josie Kelly, CEO, Access to Business – championing Wolverhampton’s social economy and enterprise growth
Speakers: Charles Rapson and Anna Humphreys, WMCA
🏁 4:00pm – Close
Exhibiting at the Expo
There are a limited number of stands available for social economy organisations who want to showcase their products and services at the Expo.
Social economy organisations benefit from a special discounted rate of £120 + VAT for a standard trestle-table stand.
🔗 Find out more and book your stand: here
Be part of Social Economy Drive 2025
The Conference & Expo is just one of many brilliant events taking place during Social Economy Drive 2025 (17–21 November).
From inspiring breakfast sessions and local spotlights to the Social Economy Awards Gala Dinner, there’s something for everyone.
🌐 View the full SED25 programme: here
Don’t miss it.
This event is free to attend, but places are filling fast.
📅 Wednesday 19 November 2025, 9:30–16:00
📍 Millennium Point, Birmingham