Our team is made up of individuals passionate about the social enterprise sector and keen to see it thriving locally and nationally. Together we bring a wealth of experience, expertise and skills to the work we do in supporting social enterprises, delivering networking sessions and advocating for the sector both locally and nationally.

The Team on the Ground

 
 
 
 
 

Terry Murphy: CEO

Terry leads on the day to day activities and strategy of SSEN and on our advocacy and Social Enterprise Places work with SEUK. He has a wealth of senior leadership experience across the charity, social enterprise, hospitality and event sectors. Terry also works as Head of Social Enterprise at the Archer Project, splitting his time between the two roles.

 

Pete Burchill: Membership Development Lead

Pete looks after our members and is responsible for growing and developing the network. He also leads on the development and delivery of our peer support programme. Pete has spent the majority of his career working in the voluntary sector and with a range of organisations. Social enterprises he has worked for in the past include Yes2Ventures, Sheffield Wood Recycling and the Co-op Group.

 

Mike Barrett-Wright: Network Advisor

Working alongside our partners, Mike provides one-to-one specialist support for social enterprises in the area, helping them to become more resilient, and to grow and thrive. A key part of his role is delivering the discovery sessions that form part of the Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA) programme. Mike has a broad range of experience of working with community organisations and in design and business model innovation.

 

April Thompson: Events and Marketing Coordinator

April is in charge of coordinating and promoting our busy programme of events, workshops and masterclasses. She brings to the role a significant amount of experience in commercial business management, events, marketing, troubleshooting and business development. April grew up in a socio-economic disadvantaged area of Sheffield and is passionate about change for future generations in similar situations.

 

Cath McAndrew: Network Administrator

Cath assists with the smooth running of the network by providing support to other members of the SSEN team and acting as first point of contact for enquiries as well as compiling the SSEN newsletter. A key part of Cath's role is assisting with data collection and analysis from enterprises participating in the SEGA programme. Cath also works for The Landworkers' Alliance, a union of small farmers and land based workers.

Our Board of Directors

 
 
 
 
 

John Dawson: Director and Treasurer

John has been involved with SSEN for several years and was one of the original Directors that set the network up as a Community Interest Company. He has extensive experience of working in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and social investment, previously working for Locality, NAVCA, Power to Change, and currently for Co-operatives UK. He is in charge of the money and works closely with the CEO to support with managing the finances of the organisations and project budgets.

 

Jon Johnson: Director

Jon has been involved with SSEN for over ten years, and was one of the original Directors that set the network up as a Community Interest Company. Jon runs two social enterprises, Strip the Willow and Reach Homes focused on sustainability, recycling and environmental living. He believes in sustainable housing and living and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, regularly having input into round tables and discussions throughout the wider city. Jon keeps to us to account on our sustainability and even made our office desks from recycled wood!

 

Richard Kirtley: Director and Chair

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Richard moved to Sheffield to study law in 2012. He loved the city so much that he decided to stay, working in international business development at a machine knife manufacturer before becoming a Sales Manager at Sheffield Forgemasters. Most recently, he established the micro-finance charity, Purple Shoots, in South Yorkshire as a hub for the rest of England offering business start-up finance for those precluded from conventional finance due to their circumstances. Richard leapt at the chance to join us as a Director in the summer of 2022 to help shape our vision and to grow and develop social enterprise in the region.

 

Kris MacKay: Director

Kris joined us as a Director in April 2022. She brings with her broad, cross-sector experience as she has worked across health and social care, public health, voluntary and community, education, housing and commercial sectors at local, regional and national levels. She now runs her own business helping charities, social enterprises and limited companies to be more sustainable, grow and improve their offer and make the world a better place. Kris provides direct support to the CEO and is also supporting us to develop our trading arm.

 

Rene Meijer: Director

A Director since July 2022, Rene is the CEO of Food Works Sheffield, and he understands first hand how hard and rewarding it is to set up a successful social enterprise. Rene believes passionately that our planet and society need more organisations that are run with a heart and purpose, but he knows that getting the right support and knowledge is not easy. He is committed to growing a strong network, run by and for the entrepreneurs building our social enterprises, to make the journey a bit easier for others.

 

Sam Nicholson: Director

Sam joined our Board of Directors in March 2021 and has a wide range of experience of working with social enterprises and charities in a range of capacities. Sam has her own Accountancy business, over ten years old, and has won various awards through it. She has had several roles within the third sector, from scout leader, to trustee, treasurer and director. She understands social enterprise accountancy and supports the CEO with HR procedures. She also works with the team to support the coordination and delivery of our in-person networking events.