Impact in Social Enterprise Award 2025

The PwC Building Trust Award for Impact in Social Enterprise, in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs, celebrates UK-based social enterprises that excel in impact reporting. We recognise those who demonstrate outstanding social and environmental contributions, showcasing their achievements through both qualitative and quantitative evidence.

Our 2025 winner is Breadwinners, with highly commended entries from Leaders Plus CIC and Nimbus Disability.

London based social enterprise, Breadwinners, helps refugees and young asylum seekers gain training and employment by selling artisan bread. They were one of our 2024 highly commended entries and clinched the award this time with improved reporting that drew on lessons learned from previous winners.

Martin Cosarinsky Campos, Managing Director of Breadwinners, received the award at our Building Trust Awards dinner on Thursday 6th November in London and commented:

“This award celebrates the incredible work of our team, and the young refugees who co-lead everything we do – using AI-powered research, creativity and collaboration to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.”

David Adair, Director of Community Engagement at PwC added:

“This year’s Impact in Social Enterprise Award attracted an outstanding range and number of applications, reflecting a commitment to excellent impact reporting across the sector. Congratulations to Breadwinners for their well-deserved win, and to our runners up for their remarkable achievements in creating positive social impact.”

Judges’ comment:

“Breadwinners reporting is very inspiring, and they put in a great application. Also, the need for what they do has only increased in the past year.”

Details of how to apply for our 2026 Impact in Social Enterprise will be publicised here in the spring, including a link to the application form. Find out more about our Impact in Social Enterprise Award below.

About our Impact in Social Enterprise Award

About our Award

Our Impact in Social Enterprise Award recognises UK-based social enterprises that demonstrate excellence in impact measurement and reporting.

To enter, applicants must state how they demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact, as well as submitting qualitative and quantitative evidence to support their application. The winner receives a £5,000 donation and each of our two highly commended applicants receive £2,500.

Our three shortlisted applicants are invited to celebrate with us at our Building Trust Awards dinner in London, usually held in November.

Awards criteria

Prior to presenting the short list to the independent judging panel we consult representatives from the School for Social Entrepreneurs, other stakeholders and social enterprises. Our subject matter experts use the following principles to screen applications. These include that the social enterprise:

Demonstrates positive social or environmental impact* backed up by evidence (can include quantitative and/or qualitative evidence)
Demonstrates good use of impact measurement or evaluation methods.
Involves and communicates with stakeholders (anyone that affects, or is affected by the enterprises activities)
Clearly communicates both its intended and actual impact in the reports or evidence provided

^{* ‘Impact’ has different definitions in the fields of impact measurement, evaluation, and accounting for social or environmental value, and we’re open to different approaches to the topic. When reviewing impact reports and evidence the judging panel will take into account the focus area and size of enterprise applying e.g. we wouldn't expect an in depth counterfactual impact evaluation from a small start up organisation.}

Shortlisting and judging

A panel of subject matter experts from PwC, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs will agree a shortlist of ten entries initially and then three finalists. These finalists will then be considered by an independent judging panel.

See who is on our PwC Building Trust Awards Judging Panel.

Our Impact in Social Enterprise Awards judges and PwC Building Trust Awards Judging Panel will only have access to your data during the application judging process and timeline. All information you provide is stored securely and can only be accessed by our Community Engagement team.

Application period

Our 2026 Awards will open in May for online applications and close at the end of June, with details of dates and how to apply published here in the spring.

Eligibility

Entrants must submit an impact report and supporting evidence as part of their application. Entrants must be a UK-based social enterprise and must:

Have a clear social or environmental mission set out in its governing documents and be controlled in the interests of that mission
Reinvest or donate at least half of its profits or surpluses towards their mission
Be independent of state or government control, and earn more than half of its income through trading (unless trading for less than 24 months)
Be transparent in the way the operate and the impact they have

Our 2024 winner and runners up

Our 2024 winner was Seagulls Reuse Limited, with highly commended entries from Breadwinners and Luminary Bakery. Based in Leeds, Seagulls is a nationally recognised, award-winning social enterprise that repurposes unwanted paint, creates jobs and helps people get their lives back on track.

Our three finalists all demonstrated excellent impact measurement and reporting, including strong qualitative and quantitative evidence as well as stakeholder engagement.

Cat Hyde, CEO of Seagulls Reuse, received the award at our Building Trust Awards (BTA) dinner on Thursday 5 October in London and commented,

“We're winners! It was brilliant to be recognised for all our hard work and commitment to the environment and social justice. Purpose runs through the bones of everyone who works and volunteers at Seagulls. It was also great to have our social impact measurement recognised.”

Cat Hyde,CEO of Seagulls Reuse Limited

“I am delighted that we have a regional winner this year that delivers both social and environmental impact.”

David Adair,Director of Community Engagement, PwC UK

Judges comments: