SOCIAL enterprise leaders from across Worcestershire and Herefordshire will making for Birmingham’s International Conference Centre next February for Voice, the largest UK conference for social enterprise.

Social enterprise is a growing sector of profit-making businesses set up to tackle social or environmental issues and more than 1,000 conference delegates and 80 exhibitors are expected in Birmingham, including leaders from social enterprise, the Government, financial institutions and business support providers.

There are more than 5,554 social enterprises in the West Midlands, supporting around 156,500 jobs and generating over half a billion pounds in traded income.

There are 673 (12.1 per cent of the regional total) social enterprises based in Worcestershire and another 307 (5.5 per cent) are based in Herefordshire.

Voice has grown considerably over the past five years and the programme for 2009 is shaping up to be the best and most interactive yet - consisting of influential speakers, workshops, thought-provoking debates, and opportunities to network.

Mick Laverty, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: “Birmingham is the youngest and one of the most diverse cities in Europe, and we are delighted Voice09 is being staged at the capital of the West Midlands region.

“The West Midlands is an ideal location given the diversity of the region’s population and sectors in which social enterprises operate. Advantage West Midlands has supported a social enterprise network since 1999 and the work with partners starts now to ensure the event is a success regionally and nationally.”