Employers For Childcare Chief Executive Marie Marin recognised at European level

Marie Marin, Chief Executive of Employers For Childcare, has been recognised at a European level for her work within the Social Enterprise sector over the past two decades. Marie has been included in the prestigious ‘Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise’ in Europe list, an initiative of the Euclid Network which is supported by the European Commission. The list celebrates women in the Social Enterprise sector, spotlighting their impact journey and achievements and is a way of connecting them to learn from and inspire each other.

Marie founded Employers For Childcare over 20 years ago with the mission of supporting parents with dependent children to get into, and stay in work. Since then her tenacity and social entrepreneurial spirit have taken the organisation from a small community project to a successful self-financing organisation which encompasses the UK’s only Social Enterprise Childcare Voucher company. Her most recent achievement was the opening in 2019 of a £2.5 million indoor adventure centre, High Rise, in Lisburn, which is inclusive and accessible for those with special and additional needs and allows families to enjoy outings and activities together, thanks to its innovative sensory rooms.

While High Rise has been closed temporarily since the start of Covid-19, Employers For Childcare’s charity has continued to work throughout the pandemic, supporting parents, many of whom are key workers, to access the childcare they need, and working with Government towards securing much-needed investment in the childcare sector.

Thrilled with this latest recognition of her commitment to the Social Enterprise sector, Marie commented: “I am truly honoured to feature on this prestigious list of the top women in Social Enterprise from across Europe. It’s very fitting that this International Women’s Day, we are recognising the contribution of women in the Social Enterprise sector – who are leading in the ambition to ‘Build Back Better’ as we move towards recovery from Covid-19. I am proud of the work of the Social Enterprise sector during the pandemic and to be recognised alongside such high profile names – all of whom are doing an incredible job and delivering positive social impact, at what has been a challenging time for all businesses”.

Adding his congratulations Colin Jess, Director of Social Enterprise NI, said: “I’d like to congratulate Marie for this latest recognition of her contribution to Social Enterprise. Marie was one of the key driving forces behind the establishment of Social Enterprise NI and served as our chair for many years. Her enthusiasm for Social Enterprise is infectious and her commitment to the sector has been recognised here in Northern Ireland, in GB and now in Europe. Marie is an inspirational and unstoppable character and her inclusion on the Top 100 list reflects the impact she has had not just in growing her own organisation, but in the wider Social Enterprise sector.”

The full list of the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise, published today (Monday 8 March) is available here.