Purpose needs a business engine.
Our team has founded and run social enterprises first-hand — including a not-for-profit that gave hundreds of Greater Manchester families free internet access. We help purpose-led organisations across Greater Manchester build the commercial foundations that let their mission thrive.
The hardest thing about running a social enterprise isn't the mission — it's making the mission financially sustainable. Too many brilliant, purpose-led organisations run on grant funding and goodwill until both run out. They don't need more passion. They need a business model.
We bring both. We've built commercial businesses and founded social enterprises — so we understand the tension between purpose and profit from the inside. Oldham is now one of only 35 designated Social Enterprise Places in the UK, and we're proud to help build that ecosystem across Greater Manchester.
From idea to sustainable impact
Structure & Governance
Choosing and setting up the right legal form — CIC, charity, company limited by guarantee — and building governance that funders and partners trust.
Funding Strategy
A realistic, diversified funding plan — grants, contracts, trading income and partnerships — so you're not forever one funding round from closure.
Commercial & Trading Models
Building earned-income streams that fund the mission, without losing sight of why you exist. The difference between surviving and scaling.
Impact Measurement
Articulating and evidencing your social value in a way that wins bids, satisfies funders and tells your story with credibility.
Partnerships & Profile
Connecting you to the civic, business and council networks across Greater Manchester that unlock funding, contracts and credibility.
Non-Exec & Board Roles
Ongoing board-level support as a trustee or non-executive — bringing commercial discipline to a purpose-led board.
Standing up a sustainable CIC from the ground up
"We have a brilliant idea and no idea how to make it a sustainable organisation."
A passionate founder with a strong social mission — say, vocational training for disadvantaged young people — but no clear structure, funding model, or governance, and a real risk of burning out on grant applications.
We'd help choose the right legal structure (often a CIC), build a three-year financial model blending grants, contracts and trading income, map the funding landscape — Youth Guarantee, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and more — and design a lean governance framework. Then open doors to the right civic and funding partners.
A registered, credible, fundable organisation with a realistic path to sustainability — not just a worthy idea, but a social enterprise built to last and to scale its impact.
Experience that's been earned
Our consultants have founded and run not-for-profits committed to closing the digital divide — including a programme that gave hundreds of disadvantaged Greater Manchester families free internet access and mobile data. Real interventions with real impact.
"There's no shortage of talent — what's been missing is a cohesive and focused approach to nurturing it."
We know what it takes to get a social enterprise off the ground because we've done it. That's the partner you want beside you.
See Our NetworkFamilies given free internet through our consultants' work
Oldham — a designated UK Social Enterprise Place
Specialisms across our boutique team
GM boroughs served
Building something that matters? Let's make it last.
Whether you're starting up, scaling, or strengthening a purpose-led organisation, we'd welcome a conversation about how to build the business foundations beneath your mission.