The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) has been announced as the winner of the inaugural Social Enterprise Award from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) UK, following a competitive final against four other innovative organisations in London last week.
The award, delivered in partnership with Nesta and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, aims to “elevate the most exciting social ventures in the UK and provide them with an even greater platform for future success”. TJBCM competed against some of the UK’s most innovative social enterprises in a three-stage application process, culminating in an in-person pitch judged by six distinguished leaders from across the UK’s business and social enterprise sector. As part of the prize, a dedicated BCG team will now work with the TJBCM on a targeted project to grow the impact of the Mission’s work.
Reflecting on the Mission’s award, TJBCM CEO Nicky Huskens said: “Tackling brain tumours is a collective effort, and we are so proud that our approach, which unites government, patient organisations, clinicians, nurses and scientists, has been recognised as a cause worth elevating and accelerating. We are excited to work with BCG to foster innovation and inprove equitable access to excellent treatment, care and research for patients with a brain tumour.”
The Social Enterprise Award launched for the first time in the UK in 2024, following over 15 years of successful acceleration of social enterprises by BCG Paris. Social enteprises in the UK with high growth potential who are aligned with one of Nesta’s three missions of a healthy life, a fairer start or a sustainable future, were invited to apply. Following an extensive process, the many applicants were whittled down to five social enterprises, with TJBCM achieving the highest scores from the judging panel on the day, across assessment criteria that included impact, innovation and financial sustainability.
TJBCM Chair, Professor Richard Gilbertson said: “Social impact has been a fundamental part of the Mission’s work since it was established in 2018, and we are delighted to have our innovative model and impactful work recognised by such a distinguished panel.”
The team at TJCBM extends thanks to all the Mission’s funders and partners, without whose work and support this award would not have been possible.
