199. The Company of Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation, The Skyline London, 3 June 2024

Congratulations to the Company of Entrepreneurs for another successful Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation (EASI) award evening. The Company has been operating for about 20 years and will if all goes well become a Livery Company in October. They have been well supported by the Drapers’ Company to whom thanks must also be directed for sustaining innovation and enterprise.

Around ten Livery Masters attended the EASI final in the Tower Suites overlooking the Tower of London, an impressive location.

While awaiting the start of proceedings I was talking to the Master Currier. I own up, I did not know what Curriers do.  They are leather tanners.  Looking across the Thames to Bermondsey, we could see where the industry was based.  Near the river for water and a supply of wood to treat the leather, near Smithfield - an import source of hides.  The industry started in about 1270 and there used to be 1605 Curriers. On the south side of the Tower Bridge Approach Road used to be the National Leather Sellers’ College before it moved to the University of Northampton in 1978. It has now closed. Northampton is the centre of the leather industry now, due to the town being the hub of the footwear industry story – although, interestingly, the largest tannery is in Glasgow.

We heard six presentations encompassing:

·         a cycle to work scheme for commuters who prefer bike hire

·         Tools to help the 10% of the world’s population with dyslexia

·         an alternative line platform to help clothing recycling

·         a business supporting innovative products meeting social and environmental challenges eg a solar powered electric blanket

·         a carbon tracker

·         support for care workers with wellbeing training and peer support - this was the eventual winner of the £10,000 prize

Everyone was a winner with the profile of each company raised significantly and attracting mentoring and business support.  The Company was also a winner, encouraging innovation and enterprise, as well as raising the profile of the competing companies significantly.

They have offered to help other Livery Companies with their enterprise programmes and encourage innovation. - something the water sector could benefit from?

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