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CAN's CEO Wins National Award

The social entrepreneur leading the social investment programme with Europe's leading private equity firm Permira has been nationally recognised for her groundbreaking work with corporates.

Adele Blakebrough MBE, CEO of the social enterprise CAN, has won the prestigious Business in the Community (BITC) Awards in Excellence - Marks and Spencer Sieff Award for her work in collaborating with the corporate sector for social benefit.

Adele Blakebrough received the award presented by BITC President HRH The Prince of Wales on Monday 2nd July at the Royal Albert Hall.

Blakebrough is pioneering work in how to engage the corporate sector in social change. In 2005 she launched 'Breakthrough' with Permira which deploys funds and skills from the private equity firm into established social enterprises to help them scale-up and maximize their social impact nationally.

Adele Blakebrough says: "I am delighted and also truly humbled to receive this award. CAN's success has always been measured by those organisations we support. My belief has always been that the corporate sector can play a critical role supporting social enterprises in bringing about social change. Permira has taken a brave and innovative step with us in exploring how to accelerate growth and replication in these amazing social enterprises. As a society we are still discovering new ways to engage business in finding solutions to social problems."

Sir David Sieff, Chairman of the judges, said: "CAN's partnerships with Permira, and with Sony, have enabled a raft of established social enterprises to grow and develop, and shining through these exciting and innovational partnerships is Adele Blakebrough's vision, passion, imagination and inspirational leadership."

Damon Buffini, Managing Partner of Permira, who jointly leads on Breakthrough with Adele Blakebrough, said: "Adele is an expert in her field. In our day jobs we back people with energy and vision who want to create world-class businesses. I guess by nature we were attracted by the boldness of the challenge and the energy of Adele. We also warmed to the fact that our financial support was considered by Adele and CAN to be secondary.

"Adele made it clear that our expertise in the commercial sector would provide the skills and experience necessary to make Breakthrough a success. Importantly, we believe CAN to be a real authority in understanding the issues facing social enterprises. Adele's track record over the past nine years we believe is critical to Breakthrough's future success."

In 2006, Adele Blakebrough was awarded an MBE for her services to social enterprise. CAN also works with electronics giant Sony Europe and the business consultancy international, Bain.

Posted 13 July 2007

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