A lack of leadership has been cited as a key restraint holding back the social enterprise sector according to reports from organisations, including the Cabinet Office, Harvard Business Review, ACEVO and Clore Social Leadership.
These reports agreed that better support for potential leaders is needed, not only for those who are already in influential positions.
In our live Q&A, we'll look at:
-What is being a social leader?
-What are the skills a social leader should have?
-How can social enterprises benefit from increasing the leadership
skills of its staff?
Do get in touch if you'd like to be a panellist – email gines.haro.pastor@guardian.co.uk for more details.
Also, if you'd like to leave a question, please do so in the comments section below, or come back to ask it live - and to follow the debate - on Thursday 21 April from 1-3pm.
The panel
David Pardey, head of research & policy, Institute of Leadership & Management.
David is the Head of Research and Policy for the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), Europe's largest leadership and management organisation. David leads ILM's research strategy and partnership programme in the UK and abroad, exploring the reality of leadership and management practice today – finding out what works and what doesn't, what's needed and what's not - and how leaders and managers can best improve their performance.
Richard Dickins, director, Make it Happen.
Here at Make It Happen we strive to provide social and ethical business
support, enabling organisations to develop and grow financial and social
values to achieve their long term stability. We do this through research,
development, planning, evaluation, marketing and measuring impact.
Siobhan Edwards, fellowship director, Clore Social Leadership.
Siobhan is fellowship director at the Clore Social Leadership
Programme which she joined in April 2009 after four years working for
NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts).
Siobhan's role is to design and deliver the personalised leadership
development programme for Clore Social Fellows. Applications for the
third cohort of Fellows opened on 18 April and closes on 2 June 2011.
(the photo attached is hers)
Michelle Livingston, managing director. Real Partners CIC.
Michelle began her career in human resources management with Boots Healthcare International before specialising in leadership development; she has held a number of senior management roles in both public and private sector organisations. Creative and challenging with comprehensive experience in implementing behavioural change, developing strategy aligned to business goals and managing projects within fast-paced, multi-site businesses.
David Bryan, The Social Enterprise Academy.
David is a programme manager for the Highlands and Islands will be taking part in the Q&A. David joined the Academy from the Community Recycling Network for Scotland, where he was development officer for the north of Scotland. This followed stints working for a local rural partnership and Moray College. David continues to work for the Open University as a tutor.
Vanessa Augustus, founder, Social Solutions Academy (SSA)
Vanessa started working in the voluntary sector aged sixteen. In 2003 she was employed by a regeneration company responsible for the delivery of a national area based fund. In this role she supported local social enterprises and community organisations to deliver key services.
Kate Honeyford
Kate is a trainer and consultant working across the south east offering advice support and training on managing and running an organisation to social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations and charities.
Servane Mouazan, Ogunte
Servane is the founder of Ogunte, a Social Innovations Development company focused on women-led social ventures. They closely helped over 2000 women entrepreneurs and activists in Europe and South America, to set-up viable systems, access relevant investments, create robust and well networked marketing collectives; develop, articulate and track their social impact.
Servane set up the 1st Women's Social Leadership Awards in 2007, recognising the achievements and best practice of innovative women around the globe and across sectors.
Rob Watling, Momentum Associates.
Rob is an executive coach who specialises in supporting leaders in the public and third sectors. He has worked for community groups, Trades Unions, Universities and the BBC, and now runs Momentum Associates who provide coaching and organisational consultancy.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To find out about forthcoming Q&As, sign up to the social enterprise network.
