Award-winning Oldham business recognised in the Top 100 UK social enterprises index

Oldham-headquartered Upturn has been recognised as one of this year’s Top 100 UK social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 Index.

The list was selected according to a number of different criteria to reflect both business and impact issues – including financial performance, how thoroughly they measured and managed their impact, and their commitment to both climate issues and to taking positive action on equality and diversity.

Upturn was founded by Anwar Ali OBE and Maria Williams 20 years ago.

For the past two decades, the award-winning organisation has been helping to improve the lives and create opportunities for people from disadvantaged communities and diverse groups across the region.

There are three distinct arms to the business – people communities and enterprise.

In the last two years alone, Upturn has helped more than 800 people into training, education or employment.

It has also funded £2 million for outreach programmes working in disadvantaged communities.

And 127 new businesses have launched in the last year thanks to its support.

CEO Anwar is also Oldham’s Social Enterprise Ambassador.

He said: “This is an amazing achievement and a credit to our team and the great work they do every day to help the people of Oldham and across Greater Manchester.

“A huge congratulations to all the organisations who have been recognised in the top 100 social enterprises in the UK and who are striving to make real changes to their communities, towns and cities.”

He added: “This is a recognition of the impact of social enterprises and how they are helping to solve society’s social and environmental problems.

"I would encourage businesses to work with social enterprises, not purely to be good, but because it makes business sense.

“I believe that social enterprises are the future, and if the public and private sector work together we can solve society’s problems.”

The NatWest SE100 Index was created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, the bank’s independent social investment charity.

Megan Virrels, CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “A huge congratulations to all those named in this year’s NatWest SE100 list.

“Social & Community Capital has been committed to supporting UK social enterprises for over 20 years, and we are constantly inspired by the resilience, ambition, and creativity that we see in the sector.”

If you want to find out more about the impact of social enterprise and network with like-minded entrepreneurs, head along to a roundtable discussion and afternoon tea with Anwar on August 2, 2023.

The event kicks off at 4pm at Kick Sonic Indoor Football Centre, Waddington Street, Oldham.

To book your free place, click here

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