Stand4 Socks

Dec 6, 2017

East Anglian Daily Times PUBLISHED: 14:09 06 December 2017 | UPDATED: 14:09 06 December 2017 Archant The owner of an ethical sock company who comes from Suffolk has taken part in a national showcase event for social entrepreneurs. To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Josh Turner from Stowmarket, who went to Ipswich School, launched Stand4 Socks after graduating from the Start Up London 2015 cohort of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme. Stand4 Socks, which is now based in Manchester, was invited to have a stand at the recent Social Enterprise Market Place event in London, held alongside the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony. The company’s socks are all ethically sourced and each design supports a good cause, with a pair of socks also being provided for a homeless person in the UK for each pair sold. Josh said the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme had been “a valuable source of support to help us to grow Stand4 Socks and increase our social impact”. The event was hosted by Nick Hewer, former business adviser to Lord Sugar on BBC’s The Apprentice and presenter of Channel 4’s Countdown, and the Social Entrepreneur of the Year title, carrying a prize of £10,000 was awarded to Cemal Ezel of Change Please, which helps homeless people in London train as baristas. Nick Hewer said: “Tonight has been such an inspirational evening presenting the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2017 and it has been a privilege to meet so many individuals at the Market Place using enterprise to solve social issues within their communities.” Paula Rogers, head of social enterprise at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “The Social Enterprise Market Place demonstrates the diversity and innovation of the entrepreneurs on the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs and jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund. “Supporting social entrepreneurs to solve issues in their local community, whilst helping to impact the wider economy across the UK, forms a key part of our commitment to help Britain prosper.”