Cosmic's Henry Smith joins PSEN as volunteer Director | Cosmic Skip to main content

Cosmic's Henry Smith joins PSEN as volunteer Director

Cosmic’s Business Development Manager, Henry Smith, has been voted in as a voluntary Director for Plymouth Social Enterprise Network (PSEN). The Community Interest Company is well known to us here at Cosmic, with its shared values and interests in promoting the success of social enterprises and other third-sector organisations in the South West.

Henry joined Cosmic in 2017, supporting the business development, sales, marketing and communications of the organisation. As a member of the Senior Management Team, he has good experience of governance, operations and business management. His connectivity with the business community, local authorities and other social enterprises in the region will all add to his ability to serve PSEN well, as a member of their steering group.

Why did you apply for the position of Director at Plymouth Social Enterprise Network?

PSEN has always impressed me with its energy and pro-active nature in engaging enterprises in the region. We are very fortunate that Devon and the South West has a really strong collection of Social Enterprises, CICs and other values-led organisations. PSEN has been one of the key connecting nodes that has brought many of those organisations together, particularly at their annual festival week, as well as other events throughout the year. I applied to join the steering group of Directors because I feel that the post-pandemic and post-Brexit environment is screaming out for the benefits that the Social Enterprise model offers. PSEN is a firm advocate of circular-economy, donut economics, regeneration and community-led action. These concepts offer an alternative approach to business that is more sustainable, more resilient, and therefore beneficial in a time of recovery. I’m looking forward to supporting the delivery of PSEN’s mission.

What are you looking forward to most about the role?

I’m really looking forward to the networking opportunities and the chance to develop new professional relationships – as well as personal friendships. My knowledge and experience of Plymouth is good… but it could be a lot better. As a volunteer Director, I welcome the chance to expand my knowledge of Plymouth – and to be of beneficial use the PSEN membership, the City and the wider region.

What can we expect to see from PSEN in the future?

The organisation has set up a number of Action Groups, focussing on a range of specific issues: such as looking a business support offering and focusing on diversity and inclusion. Through these Action Groups, led by members of the PSEN community, we can expect to see influential change and improvement for businesses and communities and around Plymouth. PSEN is a democratic, members-led network, where genuine action and results fuel people’s enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to playing a part in that.

Find out more about Plymouth Social Enterprise Network here.

And about the Social Enterprise approach to business here.