The South West has strengthened its position as the top UK region for ethical business, with social enterprises here having a faster average growth rate than those in other parts of the UK.
The NatWest SE100, the biggest annual survey of the UK social enterprise sector, shows social enterprises in the South West enjoyed an average growth in turnover of 90% against 61% for all those on the Index.
The region’s social enterprise sector now has a total combined turnover of £955.6m. Bristol and Plymouth became the UK’s first two social enterprise cities in 2013 – a kitemark reflecting the growth of the sector in the South West’s two largest urban areas. 
The NatWest SE100 survey, now in its seventh year, compiles data from more than 2,100 social enterprises with a total turnover of £8.5bn.
One social enterprise highlighted as a leading example of the sector in this year’s NatWest SE100 data report is Bristol Together.
A partnership of social enterprises and a Community Interest Company, Bristol Together, pictured, buys empty properties in Bristol requiring substantial repair and refurbishment, then creates full-time jobs for ex-offenders by refurbishing and selling them.
The organisation provides training and support for through volunteer mentors dedicated to seeing employees succeed in getting into full-time employment.
The report calls it an example of a successful social enterprise “growing steadily and making a big impact”. It has grown by 194% over the past year and now has a £1.45m turnover.
Founder Paul Harrod said: “The growth experienced by Bristol Together has been bought about through a combination of hard work, outstanding commitment from the ex-offenders involved on our programmes and an excellent board of volunteer trustees, who have provided valuable guidance.
“We have also been supported by Triodos Bank which has helped us raise £1.6m through a Social Impact Bond. This has provided us with sufficient capital to finance the purchase and refurbishment of empty properties and, over the course of the five-year bond, we hope to pay over £750,000 in wages, and create jobs for up to 100 ex-offenders.”
NatWest head of community finance and social enterprise, Mark Parsons, added: “The NatWest SE100 report reveals a social enterprise sector which is growing in both strength and maturity.
“As social enterprises continue to make a sustainable social impact to both disadvantaged and marginalised groups, they should feel buoyed by the positive news that year-on-year growth in turnover for established enterprises was 61%, whilst the index also reveals social enterprises grow as they mature.
“Although the latest NatWest SE100 Index has revealed positive trends for the sector, it is only when you take a closer look at the inspirational work social enterprises delivers, that the true impact of the sector can be appreciated.”
