About Us (Employees)

San Leonard - Chief Executive of Social Firms Wales and Voluntary Director of Social Firms UK

Currently employed as a Chief Executive of Social Firms Wales, San Leonard is a highly professional business person and entrepreneur who is passionate about working at the heart of community regeneration to develop opportunities that bring about sustainable social change.

Working within family businesses from a very early age, she has successfully grown several business enterprises. Now, with more than 30 years in management and business development within the private sector, she uses that experience whilst working to support the growth of commercially viable social businesses that offer paid employment and career advancement in a mixed ability, supportive business environment.

With considerable first-hand knowledge of working with people with disabilities, San is well placed and understands fully, the need to develop training and work opportunities for people who are often the furthest from the labour market. These valuable experiences and skills are utilised to their fullest in helping and advising organisations who work directly with some of the most excluded groups in today’s society.

Successes have been built on both a good understanding of all sectors within the community and the ability to look at the wider vision and opportunities. Recognised by her peers as a clear strategic thinker, San clearly demonstrates the ability to build long-term cross sector supportive relationships.

More recently San has specialised in helping Local Authorities to move trading operations / day services out of Local Authority ownership into external independent Social Firms. A well-respected advocate of cross-sector partnership working, she recognises the real benefits that can be accrued by working with other professional practitioners to bring about sustainable social change. She is ever mindful however, that this approach is not a “quick fix” option but more, a long-term solution to address changing attitudes in society.
  

Keith Simmonds - Operations Manager

Currently employed as Operations Manager for Social Firms Wales, Keith Simmonds has a vast experience in the Social Enterprise Sector. This allied to his 26 years in the Private Sector ensures that sustainability is always near the top of his agenda when discussing Social Enterprise. Since joining Social Firms Wales Keith has helped establish networks across North Wales to help support the development and formation of Social Firms in Wales. Keith is currently leading on a contract with Working Links to look at ways to create employment opportunities for ex-offenders through the establishment of Social Firms both inside prison and externally.

In addition to the role on the Working Links contract Keith works across North Wales to help support the development and formation of Social Firms. This involves working with Local Authorities, Social Enterprises and Social Entrepreneurs. A large part of this work has been focussed on looking to create paid employment opportunities for ‘ex-offenders’ working with organisations such as Wales Probation, Criminal Justice Intervention Wales and CAIS. Practitioners include Dee Tex, Forces for Good and Cambrian Photographic Workshop who are dedicated to creating paid employment opportunities, training opportunities and volunteer opportunities for these individuals.

The Social Change Partnership model in North Wales works well as it has built wide cross sector partnerships that have brought together professionals from all sectors to work collaboratively to achieve its aims. In addition to this Keith can also takes a ‘hands on’ role to assist the Social Firms by creating business plans, sitting on board meetings as an adviser and other activities that add value.

The success of the role is by bringing together the wider partnership it increases the chances of survival for the Social Firms providing help when it is needed and being there for the duration. Keith says ‘2011 and beyond will undoubtedly bring significant challenges for the wider Social Enterprise sector but also many opportunities that need to be grasped’.