Nick Hurd and the future of Office of the Third Sector

Charmian Love

May 14, 2010

There has been a buzz in the UK social enterprise world about the inevitable announcement of Nick Hurd as Minister of what-was-formally-known-as The Office of the Third Sector.   It looks like this may be one step closer to reality, thanks to a post from Social Enterprise Magazine earlier today – to be confirmed by an official announcement shortly.

What remains to be seen is what will happen with The Office of the Third Sector as we know it under Nick’s leadership.   The OTS site was quickly taken from the Cabinet Office’s internet site, leaving lots of questions:  What new language will emerge?  What programs will be kept (and which ones slashed)?  And what will Nick do to ensure that the worlds of social enterprise and business innovation are woven together in such a way that there is natural and sustainable growth in the sector?

I’ll declare my political instincts lean to the right – and that I genuinely like Nick Hurd.  I have high hopes in his ability to steer the political ship in a direction that will have great benefit for the UK as a system and community.