Social Enterprise Scotland has appointed Douglas Westwater as its next chair.

The chief executive of Community Enterprise for the last 15 years joins the social enterprise body, which supports not for profit organisations in Scotland, this month.

“Having been a supporter since its inception, it is a real privilege to be selected to serve as chair,” said Westwater.

“Social Enterprise Scotland and the broader social enterprise sector in Scotland is at a time of severe change and unique challenges and it will be exciting to be part of the movement that is working towards a positive future.”

Latest figures released by the social enterprise body this month show there are more than 6,000 social enterprises in Scotland, employing nearly 90,000 people. This adds £2.63bn to the Scottish economy, according to Social Enterprise Scotland.

Seven out of ten social enterprises in Scotland are led by women, Social Enterprise Scotland’s latest census has revealed.

📣 The latest Social Enterprise in Scotland Census is now available! With over 6,000 responses, it is the most definitive overview yet of the Scottish social enterprise sector. Read it now: https://t.co/iwbnhDynBZ #SocEntCensus21 #SocEnt pic.twitter.com/addUoWcpUF

— Social Enterprise Scotland (@SocEntScot) January 16, 2023

Social Enterprise Scotland chief executive Chris Martin added: “We are delighted to welcome Douglas to the organisation and are thoroughly looking forward to working with him.

“Last year was a time of significant change, and growth, for Social Enterprise Scotland and we know he will be a great asset to the organisation and strongly believe that his skills and experience will enable him to guide the board for the journey ahead of us.”

Westwater replaces Shona Sinclair, managing director of SKS Scotland community interest company who left the role in November last year after four years.

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