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CAN celebrates their 10th birthday

CAN celebrated their 10th anniversary on Tuesday 4th November with good friends and colleagues at charity venue provider St Brides Foundation, EC4Y.

Founders Helen Taylor Thompson OBE, FRSA, Andrew Mawson OBE and Adele Blakebrough MBE were introduced by Chief Executive of the Young Foundation, Geoff Mulgan.

Geoff was first to congratulate not only CAN's extraordinary ten years of achievement, but by the whole field of Social Enterprise in the UK which has been transformed beyond recognition.

"Today, when the new US president is elected tonight, we hope the UK will the main place they come to learn about policy ideas, support ideas for SE's, because its' so far ahead." said Geoff.

CAN's achievements being celebrated that night included winning the 2006 Charity Award for London Bridge office space. CAN Mezzanine is a sustainable social enterprise providing high-quality, affordable, shared office accommodation for over 115 third sector organisation over two sites. With last spaces remaining, CAN Mezzanine is looking to provide for even more organisations in 2009.

More recently, CAN's Social Investment programme announced their sixth investment from their pioneering social investment fund. Breakthrough provides strategic support and growth capital to selected and established social enterprises with the ambition and the potential to significantly scale up their business and maximise their social impact.

CAN also runs a Leadership Development Programme, giving growing social enterprises access to business expertise to support their strategy and business processes.

Andrew Croft, CAN's new Chief Executive was certain it would be a pleasure to take over from founder Adele. "Adele, who's passion, excitement, drive and unwavering selflessness of sharing of knowledge, contacts and skills have meant that it will be a very easy succession. We've also been able to keep our claws into Adele in that she's still chair of our BT panel. She will still be on the scene."

Part of this succession includes expansion. "I am delighted that we have also secured investment from Triodos and Charity Bank for our third CAN Mezzanine in Old St, central London, providing space for up to 80 third sector organisations." Said Andrew, "Our ambition is to replicate the award-winning CAN Mezzanine model, our social enterprise, as widely as possible to help organisations grow and achieve social impact."  

The new CAN Mezzanine will be open in Spring 2009. 

Quotes on CAN's achievements:

Kevin Brennan MP,  Minister for the Third Sector "I am hugely impressed by CAN and the fundamental role they play in helping social enterprises flourish in the UK."

Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) "CAN has been an invaluable champion for social enterprise. They have given crucial support to so many social enterprises and have been leaders and innovators within the movement. We congratulate them on this well-earned milestone and look forward to their next 10 years." 

Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise London (SEL) "I have always been inspired with CAN's approach to innovative support for social enterprises and have enjoyed my association with CAN as both a friend and Mezzanine customer."

If you would like any of these images in high resolution, please contact Reena Chadha on r.chadha@can-online.org.uk or call 020 7922 7759.

Event was kindly supported by :

Posted 6 November 2008

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