With social enterprises currently outperforming their profit-focussed peers, social entrepreneur extraordinaire Patrick Nash modestly shares his life story in Creating Social Enterprise, which is published on 25th March 2023.

Detailing how he delivered lasting positive impacts for the communities they support, the environment and changing people’s lives, the author also explains how this innovative approach to business should be considered at the forefront of tackling the triple threat of economic stagnation, social division and environmental meltdown.

Responsible for starting or growing twelve hugely successful social enterprises (a mix of companies, charities and cooperatives), this fascinating entrepreneurial innovator immerses readers in stories of rapid growth to being perilously close to financial cliff edges, with his integrity and humour shining throughout.

Always keen to explore and investigate something new, and believing empathy to be a leadership superpower, Creating Social Enterprises should be considered a must-read for anyone in business who is looking to put their values at the forefront of their organisation.

Synopsis:

Forty years on I have set up, scaled up and grown 12 social enterprises, including companies, charities and co-operatives. I have lectured on social enterprise and coach social entrepreneurs. I’ve written news articles and blogs and told stories. This book is my social enterprise story interspersed with top tips, great learnings, steps to success and more that I have learnt from what has resonated from other social entrepreneurs.

The book tells of the four main enterprises that have made a positive impact on the lives of people and the environment. These are:

The emerging vegetarian food industry in the early 1980s
Building an ecological village in Scotland
Creating a UK-wide counselling service for schools and teachers, and
A job-creating and life-affirming enterprise in South Wales that provides support to people struggling with mental health, poverty, debt and much more
I share stories of highs and lows, mistakes and accidents, as well as how to make great working relationships and how to leave a sustainable enterprise. I draw out what I have learnt about how to manage conflicts, encourage people, stay financially solvent and most of all, change the world and the lives of others.

The author says:

“The UK has 100,000 social enterprises contributing £60bn to GDP. This is good, but not good enough. If we are to solve the problems that the world faces, we need to inspire a whole new generation of social entrepreneurs.
“Many books on this subject are more like textbooks or guidebooks. This is primarily a story that tells all the ups and downs of starting up, growing and leading a variety of social enterprises – all of which is told with humour, honesty and inquisitiveness – as well as 44 key learnings and details of the 12 qualities required of a social entrepreneur.”

About the author:

Patrick Nash has set up and led twelve successful social enterprises, including cooperatives, charities and values-driven businesses. He uses his award-winning business, coaching and fundraising expertise to develop strong, sustainable organisations that do social and environmental good.

At his last enterprise he worked with charities including The Royal British Legion, Mind and British Red Cross. He now holds a number of non-executive and trustee positions, including with the Money and Mental Health Institute.

From creating one of the UK’s largest vegetarian food wholesale cooperatives to raising tens of millions in funding and finance, Patrick has worked with over 75 organisations to help them build their strategy, raise tens of million in funds and maximise their positive impact.

Patrick Nash is hosting a book launch and signing as part of the St David’s Festival of Ideas on March 25th in St David’s, Pembrokeshire, Wales. For further information, please visit www.stdavidsideas.co.uk