Impact Arts

Susan Aktemel from Impact Arts has been shortlisted for the highly coveted UK Social Enterprise Leader 2011 Award following her win at the recent Scottish Social Enterprise Awards. The national competition, organised by the Social Enterprise Coalition, recognises the work and achievements of the UK’s most inspiring and successful social enterprises.

*UPDATE* Please click here to read a recent article in The Guardian which features the thoughts of Susan Aktemel ahead of the awards ceremony.

Susan will attend the UK finals at The O2 in London on 30th March, which is being hosted by Alexander Armstrong of The Armstrong and Miller Show. A well-known presenter of the BBC’s Have I Got News for You will take to the stage to entertain guests and present the winners with their awards. Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, will also speak at the high profile event. A total of 25 organisations and people have been shortlisted for seven awards.

Having established Impact Arts in 1994, Susan Aktemel has worked tirelessly to build a highly productive and dynamic business. It’s fitting that she should now be recognised as Scotland’s Social Enterprise Leader Of The Year, as under her leadership Impact Arts has grown to be one of the most respected community arts companies in Scotland and a hugely successful social enterprise, balancing innovation and creative approaches with excellent delivery, sound management and a strong ethos of collaboration and partnership. The company uses the arts as a tool for change – improving the environment, helping someone get back into work or simply raising quality of life.

Susan said: “I’m really pleased to have been nominated and shortlisted for this award – it is a fantastic endorsement of the work we have been doing for many years and tells me we are on the right path! As well as looking forward to the UK awards, I’m also relishing many opportunities and exciting times ahead with Impact Arts”.