“I first met Sophie when I was chosen to speak at an event she organised when the Hackney Is Social manifesto was launched. The event was a great success, mainly due to how well the needs and services of the community were represented through the speakers. I was chosen to be one of the speakers which helped me connect with a wide range of new contacts. I myself run a social enterprise supporting mothers which Sophie has both participated in and been a peer support for. When I speak to Sophie about social enterprise models she is able to explain the philosophy and theory on how to improve my services, as well as clear steps on how to proceed. I hope to work more with Be You Be Me in the future!”

“Sophie's work in setting up the Hackney SE conf got me excited about networking & brought me into contact with many other social entrepreneurs. 

The Hackney is Social manifesto which launched at the 2nd conference and was a clear statement of intent that we could all nail our flags to. The hashtag #hackneyissocial was just one manifestation of the strongest energy around the annual conference that I've ever felt. There was a real sense of dynamism & can do.

In public and when I’ve brought tour groups to her, she speaks eloquently and passionately, making it clear that she does not shy away from difficult issues that others might be tempted to brush under the carpet for an easier working life."

“Sophie Higgins is one of our go-to people for social enterprise in Hackney. 

In Be You Be Me’s work for Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC, Sophie played a pivotal role in London Borough of Hackney gaining social enterprise borough status from SEUK. 

Following this she led the development of Hackney Is Social, an inclusive people-led campaign (including a now annual social enterprise conference) and manifesto for which the council made a number of key commitments to grow the social economy. 

A former Hackney Council economic development employee herself, Sophie is very well connected with people from across the business and community sectors.”

“I’d just like to say a big thank you to Sophie Higgins, who has been a great support from the get go. I found Sophie very easy to talk to. Her patient approach really helped me construct a solid plan. Sophie genuinely engaged with my project & showed a true sense of understanding, enabling us to develop through various opportunities.”

“I have known Sophie Higgins since 2018. We worked together at Hackney Cooperative Developments CIC as part of the social enterprise development Team.

Sophie led the development of the Hackney Social Enterprise Manifesto, co-ordinated the Hackney Social Enterprise Place Partnership, coached social entrepreneurs, led the development of the Pioneering Social Enterprise Mark for Hackney social enterprises and organized what has become our annual social enterprise conference in Hackney.

Sophie is a formidable force in our local social enterprise ecosystem, continuing to lead conversations around the climate crisis and advocate for social change that promotes an economy based on the common good and empathy rather than merely on the private ownership of property.

Sophie brings a style and innovative energy to the projects in which she invests. which makes working with her a delight.  

Support her, partner with her. She has a social torque that drives change for a better world.”

“Sophie Higgins has had a long and profound involvement with the development of social enterprise in Hackney. I met Sophie when she was working at Hackney Co-operative Developments, and she helped guide my project Inside Hackney, a community guide to the borough, and nurture it into being.

Sophie organised a wonderful conference that I attended in November 2018. This was the best event of its kind I have ever been to, with a huge range of social enterprises sharing their projects, and a great variety of speakers energising the room and embodying dynamic change.

Sophie is inspirational as a communicator and outside the norms thinker. She is deeply sensitive on issues of gender and diversity, a great listener and problem solver.”

“Since meeting in 2014 Sophie has provided myself as founder and my charity Urban MBA with valuable support that has allowed us to grow and connect with various stakeholders. Sophie was a key driver in creating the “The Hackney Is Social Manifesto” which led to Hackney being recognised as a social borough. In addition to this Sophie has also provided the below services:

1. Mentoring support to Urban MBA Graduates

2. Developed The Hackney Is Social Annual Conference

3. Provided consultation through her company BYBM on strategy and growth of Urban MBA

Sophie’s drive and energy to champion social causes and creating a better society is one of the key reasons both our professional and now personal friendship has grown. It is in this day and age not so easy to find people you can work with and trust.

We have received similar feedback from many of our entrepreneurs who have come into contact with Sophie through her role as a panel judge in the dragon dens pitches or additional mentoring and advise. I genuinely look forward to continuing to work and collaborate in future with Sophie and BYBM”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed our work around entrepreneurial development with Sophie, she has a great understanding of social enterprise and its growing importance both as a way of doing business and in how consumers make choices. I also admire her passion for supporting marginalised groups, the same groups that our service support.”

“It was such a pleasure to work with Sophie on communications and event management. She brought her considerable expertise and foresight in 2016 organising two events for us to mark the launches of our newest social enterprise, the Coffee Shop in Hackney, and a BIG Lottery funded project, Enterprising People in Islington. Sophie has great organisational skills and extensive capacity to run events to a very high standard. She is collaborative, inclusive, energetic and most of all a joy to have in the team. We would work with her again if the opportunity arose.”