Choosing the right legal structure for your social business is important for making sure you set up and shape the organisation in the form you want, including how decisions are made and by whom, issues around accountability and sustainability, asset and profit distribution, and being eligible for sources of funding.

Co-hosted by eScalate Hub, Community Action Groups (CAG) Oxfordshire and law firm Taylor Vinters, the session will provide an overview of the various options for charities, social enterprises and purposeful businesses, highlighting some pros and cons of each. CAG will also provide some insight into their area of speciality, Cooperatives. These emphasise the benefits for business that come from workers having a say in the operations, products and marketing – guaranteeing returns into the future. Cooperatives are established with membership, a common set of values and principles which set them apart from other businesses. Greater community-based ownership means more people are invested in the long-term success of co-ops.

We will showcase some great local examples of people and organisations on this path to formalising with significant aspects of their organisation’s aims which contributed to their decision. The event will be an opportunity to ask questions about how different legal structures will affect your business. It will also give signposting and resources needed to take the steps to incorporating.

Who is it for?

This event is aimed at those reconsidering the best legal form for their organisation, perhaps private businesses looking to have more social/environmental impact, charities seeking to develop more trading, and also those considering the most appropriate form of social enterprise. You may be starting up a new venture or have an existing organisation but have been thinking about changing your legal status.

What will I learn?

The 90 minute session will give an overview of legal options and offer information from people who are part of organisations with experience of setting up with a range of legal forms.

Facilitator

Christabel Buchanan – Network Support Coordinator, Community Action Groups Oxfordshire.

This session will be facilitated by Christabel Buchanan from Community Action Groups Oxfordshire. Christabel is currently training to become a Co-operative Development Advisor and in this capacity and in her role at CAG as Network Support Coordinator has supported several Oxfordshire groups in choosing a legal form that’s right for their organisation.

Community Action Groups (CAG) Oxfordshire is one of six eScalate hubs across the county.

CAG consists of over 70 groups across Oxfordshire who are at the forefront of community led climate change action tackling issues including waste, transport, food, energy, biodiversity and social justice.

Speaker

Kieran John – Associate at Taylor Vinters

Kieran is a proactive and dedicated charities and social ventures lawyer at Taylor Vinters – the international law firm supporting the businesses which drive the innovation economy, and the entrepreneurs and private wealth that underpin them.

He has a range of experience with social ventures and charities, covering start-up, governance, fundraising and commercial arrangements. Kieran is also passionate about Tech for Good, having interviewed leaders in this movement for The Founders Series.

Kieran leads Virtual Pop-Ups with Social Ventures, speaking to social entrepreneurs every week to explore their ideas and bring them to life.

For more information about the eScalate programme , visit www.oxfordshirelep.com/escalate