Case studies

Cosmic

 

 

 

 

 

Cosmic is an ethical IT company, housing web development, tech support, training and consultancy under one friendly, helpful roof. They are based in East Devon and operate throughout Devon, Cornwall and the rest of the South West.

Cosmic is one of the UK’s leading social enterprises, they currently have 12 staff and saw a turnover of £500,000 in 2010. They invest their profits into projects that help improve other people’s digital lives. They are great at sharing their expertise in social media, search engine optimisation, graphic design, hardware and web applications. They deliver their expertise to a wide array of audiences, including individuals, businesses, voluntary and community organisations and the public sector.

Cosmic has been at the forefront of Social Enterprise since they started in 1996 and one of the first businesses to carry ‘The Social Enterprise Mark’ which recognises businesses which trade for people and the planet. They are governed by a Board of Directors – both Executive and Non Executive. The board of eight people is elected by members every year.

Much of Cosmic’s success has been down to their championing of dynamic, consistent and inspirational leadership skills, particularly when it comes to businesses which have intertwined their commercial and social goals. They are the first social enterprise to be accredited by a University to offer a module based course focusing on leadership skills for social entrepreneurs.  They have joined forces with the University of Plymouth to become an accredited College. From September 2011 it will be offering the UK’s only nationally accredited course for Leaders in Social Enterprise; the ‘Pioneer Programme’.

Social enterprise is rapidly becoming one of the most important parts of the UK economy. Social enterprises run robust, commercial businesses. Figures from the most recent RBS SE100 Data Report 2011 show an industry experiencing strong growth, increased entries to the market, investment and increased employment. Cosmic were shortlisted in the RBS SE100 impact category this year.

Website: www.cosmic.org.uk

Course website: www.pioneerprogramme.org.uk