Annual report and accounts front page

SOSE assists 1,100 organisations in latest annual report and accounts

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) engaged with and supported 1,100 businesses, social enterprises and community groups in the last financial year.

The figures are included in SOSE’s latest annual report and accounts, which highlight the investments and impacts the region’s community and economic development agency has made during the year which runs from April 2022 to March 2023.

Key figures include:

  • Of the 1,100 enterprises who SOSE engaged with and supported, 139 received grants which totalled £10.5million.
  • Safeguarding 591 jobs and create 562 more posts.
  • £5.4m was invested in strategic activities to transform our region.
  • A total of 63 South of Scotland organisations were also supported to navigate the energy and cost of living crisis last winter, alongside partners such as Business Energy Scotland.

There were a number of other achievements in 2022/23 by SOSE, such as working with partners to launch the first ever South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy, becoming the first Living Hours Employer in the South and a Silver-accredited Carbon Literate Organisation and launching a digital strategy.

SOSE’s annual report and accounts are available here. 

SOSE Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross said:

“Our latest annual report and accounts highlight the wide range of enterprising communities and innovative industries we work with across the South.

“It also highlights how we are leading the way in many areas such as Net Zero and Natural Capital, making our region an even more attractive place to come to invest in, work in, live in and learn in.

“We aspire for the South of Scotland to move closer to becoming a Wellbeing Economy, prioritising the collective wellbeing of current and future generations.

"Our first Five Year Plan, published in April 2023, provides a clear set of priorities for SOSE, and how we will work with the people of the South to achieve them, with the ultimate aim of making your day-to-day lives better.

“By us all having this shared ambition and belief, we can show the world what a special, stunning and diverse place the South of Scotland is, and how much we have to offer.”

Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, added:

“Working with partners and the people of the South is essential to SOSE’s work, as highlighted in our latest annual report and accounts.

“This collaborative approach includes the proactive role we play in the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership, as well as supporting the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

“We will continue to bring local and other people together, to listen to them, and work with them to realise the immense potential we all know the South of Scotland has.

“We are fully committed to continuing to build upon the numbers included in the 2022/2023 annual report and accounts, using our diverse skills, knowledge, talent and passion of our staff and Board.

“Doing this will help us all achieve more and amplify our distinctive regional voice.”