SAVE THE DATENatWest SE100 Awards, Tuesday 15 July, Manchester. Registration will open soon. |
The search is on for this year’s top performing and most inspirational social business pioneers across a range of categories, in this year’s NatWest SE100 Awards.
Applications open today (Friday, 18 April) for the awards, which recognise social ventures and mission-driven enterprises that are leading by example in their quest to build brilliant businesses that provide solutions for some of the biggest social and environmental challenges.
There are seven awards categories, covering diversity, climate, social investment, impact management and leadership, as well as an award for the top social business and the ‘pioneering newcomer’.
As always, alongside the awards, we will also announce our annual ‘top 100’ list, naming the UK’s most impressive and inspiring social businesses, based on their impact, growth and achievements over the past year.
The NatWest SE100 was devised in 2010 by Pioneers Post and is delivered in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital – NatWest’s independent social investment charity.
Tim West, founding editor at Pioneers Post, said: “We started the SE100 because we wanted to celebrate and share the work of purpose-driven innovators, entrepreneurs and investors across the UK. As a social enterprise ourselves, we’re committed to supporting the growth and development of purpose-led innovation and entrepreneurship through our independent, solutions-based journalism and through the programme of awards, training and networking events that we run throughout the year.
“In order to enter the SE100, we’re not fussed about what legal structure you have – whether you’re a CIC, co-op, charity or for-profit company. What we’re really interested in are the solutions you have found, the impact you are making, the sustainability and ambition of your business model, and the transparency, values and governance that you put around this to protect your mission. The questions in the SE100 survey are designed to draw out these aspects, so our judges can get a really clear picture of what you do and how you make a difference.”
- Applications for the NatWest SE100 2025 opened today (18 April) and the deadline is midnight on Sunday 25 May (read the NatWest SE100 Criteria and FAQ)
Opening last year’s SE100 awards ceremony, held at NatWest’s London headquarters, Andrew Harrison (pictured above), chair of NatWest Social & Community Capital, told the audience: “Tonight is another great celebration of all the successes that you’ve collectively made as an industry… I think it’s fabulous that there is so much excitement across the industry – people who bring forward their businesses, their ideas for us to really see what great things social enterprise is doing across across the UK.”
The SE100 award has been a major talking point with investors, staff and the social enterprises we work with. It really makes us feel proud that our peers and industry have recognised what we’ve achieved…
Winning has also put an even greater spotlight on homelessness, and helped us raise awareness of the issue to a wider audience.”
– Resonance, previous SE100 Investment Champion
In her closing remarks reflecting on the awards, Victoria Papworth (pictured below), CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “It’s just amazing to look out and see all of these different social enterprises represented here in this room. And we at NatWest Social & Community Capital are incredibly honoured to be judges and supporters of these awards.
“It’s not just the awards tonight… but it’s the opportunity to really shine a light on the great work that charities and social enterprises do every single day. Not just the winners, not just the nominees for the awards, but everyone here in this room, and everyone that we connect with.”
Winning the Impact Award was a powerful signal to our partners and supporters that we take our impact measurement seriously, helping to secure on-going support as well as our wider credibility.
– Skills Builder Partnership, former SE100 Impact Management Champion
How to enter for the NatWest SE100 ‘top 100’ list and awards
To enter, complete the application form by midnight on 25 May 2025. If you want to view the entry form in full, you can also download the PDF here, but your entry must be submitted via the online form.
We recommend you also read the NatWest SE100 Criteria and FAQ article.
There is one application form for all entries, through which organisations can enter for a place in the top 100, as well as submissions for the seven categories below:
Social Business Pioneer
For established social ventures (trading for at least five years) that have experienced positive financial growth and delivered strong social impact over the past year, thanks to an entrepreneurial and sustainable business model. Supported by Buzzacott.
Pioneering Newcomer
Are you a social business start-up (up to five years trading) with a clear mission and entrepreneurial flair, who can demonstrate positive growth and impact, as well as great promise for the future? Supported by Buzzacott.
Impact Management Pioneer
For enterprises that take considerable measures to manage, demonstrate and communicate the social and environmental impact and value of their business, using this to improve their performance and win new business.
Diversity Pioneer
For social enterprises leading by example and inspiring others to embed equity, equality, diversity and inclusion into their organisations and their work in local communities. Supported by the Social Investment Business.
Climate Pioneer
For pioneering organisations leading by example and inspiring others to work against climate change and towards a greener, more resilient future. Supported by Hogan Lovells.
Social Investment Pioneer
For groundbreaking or innovative deals, programmes or funds in social / impact investment. Supported by Good Finance.
Pioneering Leader
For social enterprise bosses demonstrating excellent leadership, effectiveness and inspiration in taking the team on a mission-driven journey to success. Supported by the Good Leaders Podcast.
You can read more about the NatWest SE100 in our SE100 Collection.
More questions? Read the NatWest SE100 Criteria and FAQ – or get in touch via [email protected]
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The NatWest SE100 Index and Social Business Awards is an annual programme created and delivered by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital – and supported by Buzzacott, Social Investment Business, Hogan Lovells and Good Finance. The programme aims to list, celebrate and learn from the UK’s 100 most impressive social enterprises every year.
