Pictured above: Wray Irwin
The University of Northampton and The Young Foundation have
announced the appointment of Wray Irwin as the new Social
Entrepreneur in Residence (SEiR), making Northampton the first
university in the UK to host such a position.
Wray, who officially takes up his appointment this July and is
currently Social Enterprise Development Manager within Northampton
Business School at the University, will be instrumental in
delivering radical change and improvement in service development
and employment opportunities across Northamptonshire, in line with
the University's Strategic Plan and vision for social
enterprise.
"This is a really exciting opportunity for me and the
University, and the role will make a significant contribution to
the economic and social prosperity of Northamptonshire," Wray
commented, "The partnership with the Young Foundation will ensure
that their expertise and commitment to investing in new social
ventures will be central to achieving this."
The Social Entrepreneur in Residence is a development concept
initiated by the Northampton Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), a
multi-disciplinary, cross-University institute based within The
University of Northampton's School of Social Sciences. The role of
Executive Dean Chris Moore, School of Social Sciences, involves
strategic partnerships and enterprise and this appointment will
embed social enterprise, public service transformation and public
and third sector partnerships.
Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of The University of
Northampton, added:
"The appointment highlights our commitment to rapidly becoming
the UK's number one university for social enterprise - and we're
well on our way with our recent title of the Outstanding Higher
Education Institution Supporting Social Entrepreneurship Award from
UnLtd/HEFCE.
"We are working hard with our partners in the public, private
and third sectors to take the opportunities of transforming the
provision of some services. Northampton wants to be the University
that adds real social value to the community.
"Our social enterprise strategy consists of three elements: a
new student offer; the integration of social enterprise with
teaching and learning and research in all Schools/Departments; and
significant outreach work in the community. The Social Entrepreneur
in Residence is designed to help us with the third element. It is
an appointment for the county as well as for the University."
The Young Foundation has over 50 years' experience of bringing
together innovation and entrepreneurship to meet social needs, and
will play a pivotal role in supporting Northampton's ambitions.
Joop Tanis, Head of Health Launchpad at The Young Foundation,
concluded:
"By combining social values with business acumen, social
enterprises can create innovative and sustainable services, often
delivering more for less. We are excited about the opportunity to
have one of our Social Entrepreneurs in Residence at the
University, placing them in the heart of the local community and
adding to the capability of the third and voluntary sector."