New business strengthens growth
Bryson Charitable Group reviews another successful year.
Northern Ireland’s leading social enterprise, Bryson Charitable Group, continues to pave the way as a leading light in the third sector by announcing new business contracts worth £27.6 million in the past year.
Bryson, now ranked third (by turnover) in the RBS Top 100 UK Social Enterprises has experienced a successful financial year with turnover of £34 million and an increase in employment levels of 5 per cent to 693 staff (from 660 in 2012) across its seven key business units.
Founded in 1906, Bryson has been at the centre of social policy development through a range of activities and the latest financial results demonstrate the significant role it plays in the growth of the social enterprise sector across the UK and rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy.
The new figures were released at Bryson’s annual conference in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast where a social enterprise expert described Bryson as an “exemplar” for the sector. Caroline Mason, Chief Operations Officer at social investment company Big Society Capital, also warned other charities to put more emphasis on sustainability rather than relying on subsidies.
She said: “One message that I want to deliver is that the social enterprise sector is really booming and growing. It has huge potential to create a new type of social economy.” She warned that if the social sector is to be such a huge driver for growth, employment and change, businesses have to be sustainable in the long term, both financially and socially. She said that Bryson is an exemplar of how to do this with over 100 years of history and the more organisations following this approach, the better.
Bryson Chief Executive John McMullan added: “The success of the Bryson economic model is a key factor in the organisation’s annual growth. As a charity, 91 pence in every pound is re-invested into the organisation delivering and developing our services and we understand the importance of expanding our services, managing costs and remaining competitive. This year’s results, in particular the £27.6 million of new business contracts show that there is a clear demand and need for the services that we provide. Our recent win as the Private Business Awards UK’s Social Enterprise of the Year demonstrates further that Northern Ireland can compete alongside the most competitive private sector organisations across the UK.
“Bryson has also expanded its reach further this year with new services in Donegal and Wales. Closer to home, the organisation provides over 22,990 services per day to families and individuals.”
The seven key business units work together to tackle social and economic challenges across the UK and Northern Ireland. These services include recycling, social care, energy advice, training young people for employment, water sport activities, caring for the elderly and supporting ethnic minorities. Each individual business unit has evolved into a sector leader and provides standards of excellence in more than 37 locations across Northern Ireland, Wales and in the Republic of Ireland in County Donegal.
To find out more check out www.brysongroup.org
Follow our CEO on twitter @johnatbryson
