Deloitte Social Innovations Pioneers Programme supports socially innovative businesses, providing them with a package of support to help them grow to scale and become investment-ready. In total Deloitte is investing over £1m a year in this ground breaking programme which utilises the skills and capabilities of our people to support social business.
"Working with Deloitte is a delight. Everyone I meet consistently impresses and inspires me. Becoming a Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneer is easily one of the best things that ever happened to WildHearts.” - Mick Jackson, Founder and CEO Wildhearts
Our first cohort of Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneers have performed exceptionally well to date. After 6 months the Pioneers reported average growth of 62% and 76% have increased staff numbers, equating to 139 new jobs. We are also exploring supply chain, procurement and joint venture opportunities with a number of the Pioneers. The programme is now entering its 2nd Year and we are currently recruiting or a new cohort of 15 – 20 innovative social businesses to join the programme. Find out more by clicking on the expandable tabs below:
Applications have now closed. For those that have applied, successful applicants will be informed by the end of April.
We have great stories from some of our Pioneers about the projects we’ve undertaken with them. Read more. You can also learn more by watching our film. Have we made an impact?
“I have considerably built my networks and my awareness of expertise across the firm” Deloitte volunteer
To inform the ongoing development of the programme and to allow us to obtain a better understanding of our impact to date, in December 2012 we commissioned SEUK to conduct an independent evaluation on the programme. Some of their findings include:
“The Pioneer programme adds real value to social businesses, rather than just being a CSR marketing exercise for Deloitte. It’s also evident that there is real passion and commitment from the Pioneer team to make this happen.” Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneer
We will be opening applications for 2 weeks from 22 March. All organisations applying need to be available on either the 15th, 16th, 17th April for a 45 minute interview at Deloitte offices in London. Applicants will be informed if they have been successful by the end of April.
22 March – Applications open (one stage application process)
21 April – Applications close
For applications received before the 7th of April interviews will still take place between 14th-16th of April. All other interviews will be scheduled for w/c29th April.
Early May – Successful organisations informed
Late May - Scoping of Selected Pioneers requirements
June - New relationships commence
You will have access to a broad range of services within Deloitte allowing us to tailor the offering to the individual organisation’s needs. Some of the key elements of this support are highlighted below. We have great stories from some of our Pioneers about the projects we’ve undertaken with them. Read more.
Each Pioneer will be assigned a Deloitte team to support their interaction with Deloitte during the programme.
"They walk us through whatever tricky situations we have to deal with. Everybody from Deloitte is so positive. I get the feeling that it’s really fun for them to have a client that isn’t demanding, where they have so much expertise to help us." - Kresse Wesling, Co-Founder, Elvis and Kresse
We will run 4 compulsory events a year that will provide knowledge sharing in the form of bespoke 1 to 1 clinics with appropriate Deloitte subject matter experts and networking opportunities with each other, Deloitte staff and our clients.
"I also just wanted to say how incredibly useful I found the training session. Having come to it as someone with a big fear of public speaking, it increased my confidence and gave me the tools to start acting to do something about it." Emily Dunning, Student Hubs
Opportunity to pitch for pro- bono support. Pioneer support teams will identify pro-bono projects which support delivery of overall programme and organisational objectives. Examples of some of the projects we have undertaken with this years cohort include.; operational review, building a financial model, customer analysis, support in acquisition of a new building, developing a website, strategy support etc.
"The pro bono piece was a fantastic body of work that has consolidated a great deal of thinking and has the potential to transform the business going forward." - Diane Burridge, CFO East Lancashire Moneyline
"It is this brokerage of contacts, introductions and networks within Deloitte that has been by far the most valuable of the programme."
"It is this brokerage of contacts, introductions and networks within Deloitte that has been by far the most valuable of the programme." - Matthew Linnecar, Gnewt Cargo.
Where appropriate, we will help find and implement supply chain and procurement opportunities within Deloitte and our clients. E.g products and services being used in our office and people being employed by us or our associates.
"You are changing our business in its entirety ... not just a small part of it. We therefore hugely value the relationship and the advice the programme brings." - Mark Shearer, Project Dirt
Pioneers will receive numerous PR opportunities through engagement in the programme. This will include promotion of their organisation and or service or product.
"The Pioneer programme adds real value to social businesses, rather than just being a CSR marketing exercise for Deloitte." - Mick May, BlueSky
Please note that all nominations will be assessed on these criteria
If you are successful you will receive an invite to a 60 minute panel interview
All interviews will be scheduled for w/c 29th April.
The final list of Pioneers will be announced at the beginning of May.
"You are changing our business in its entirety ... not just a small part of it. We therefore hugely value the relationship and the advice the programme brings."
Mark Shearer, Project Dirt
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