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As Dai Powell, chief executive of a major social enterprise, HCT, explains, social enterprises and co-ops are easier to work with and they increase your social impact.
In our next live Q&A, we'll be exploring how you can buy from - and sell to - social enterprises and co-ops, including:
• How to find social enterprise and co-op suppliers
• Selling to social enterprises and co-ops
• Building social value into your supply chain if you can't find social enterprises or co-op suppliers
Do get in touch if you'd like to be a panellist – email Gines Haro Pastor 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 follow the debate - on Thursday 10 November from 1pm to 3pm.
Expert panel
David Connor - European director, 3BL Media
David Connor is the Founder of Coethica, a specialist CSR consultancy with expertise in helping smaller businesses, corporate strategy and communications; European Director of @3BLMedia (global leader in CSR/sustainability media distribution) and also has advised and helped set up a number of social enterprises and charities in the areas of financial services, dyslexia support, retail, sport and PR. David is also easily found on Twitter as @davidcoethica
Sion Whellens -Client Services Director, Calverts
Sion is a co-operative development activist, client services director at Calverts and a member of the UK Worker Co-operative Council. He founded of the Principle Six business network, and serve as vice chair of Co-operatives London.
Melanie Mills - Chief executive,Social Enterprise West Midlands CIC
Melanie Mills is CEO of Social Enterprise West Midlands the regional business network for social enterprise. SEWM CIC is a transformed public service previously funded which now trades as an independent social enterprise from 100% earnt income. Melanie has over 20 years private sector experience and made an elective choice to use her commercial experience to 'do business differently'. SEWM has recently launched the national social enterprise directory www.buySe.co.uk supported by SEUK and the Guardian Social Enterprise Network with the aim of providing easier access for the private and public sector to buy, partner and trade with social enterprise
Anne Mountjoy - Marketing &Communications, Social Enterprise Mark
Anne Mountjoy is Marketing and Communications Director for the Social Enterprise Mark. She also heads up marketing at Rise, the south west social enterprise network. Anne has previously worked in publishing in the private sector and the environmental charitable sector. Twitter: @AnneMountjoy / @SE_Mark
Richard Patey - Director Profit Is Good Ltd
Profit Is Good is a full-service social purpose agency that works with social enterprises and charities to scale their social impact. Twitter: @profitisgoodltd.
