Watt Hepburn Lecture 2021

The Journey to Creating Social Bite: Alice Thompson

 

 

The Watt Hepburn Lecture series was established by a generous donation from the late Ann Sants in memory of her father, Aberdeen businessman, William Watt Hepburn. Each year, the University holds a Watt Hepburn Lecture on the theme of entrepreneurship. The University of Aberdeen is delighted to host the Watt Hepburn Lecture 2021 during Global Entrepreneurship Week. 

Global Entrepreneurship Week (8-12 November 2021) is recognised as the biggest global celebration of entrepreneurship with 180 countries taking part annually. Schools, Universities and businesses will all be taking part in the awareness campaign.

On the 10th of November, we invite guests, alumni and students to join us on campus to hear from Alice Thompson, Co-founder of Social Bite, a charity with the mission to end homelessness in Scotland. 

Alice will deliver a guest lecture on The Journey of Creating Social Bite, highlighting how a couple of 20 year olds built a credible social enterprise complete with A-list visitors.

 

Running order

4.30pm-5.00pm: Networking with tea, coffee and biscuits 

5.00pm-6.00pm: Live event

6.00pm-7.00pm: Networking with canapes 

 

Alice Thompson

In 2012 Alice co-founded Social Bite to transform the lives of the homeless community in Scotland.

Social Bite started out with one café in Edinburgh, and under Alice’s leadership grew into a national café chain, serving the business community as its target market, while simultaneously employing, feeding and supporting the homeless community.

In 2015 Social Bite famously brought George Clooney to Scotland, and Leonardo DiCaprio the following year, raising hundreds of thousands for climate crisis initiatives. In 2017 Social Bite went on to demonstrate an alternative solution to our negligent temporary housing system, by designing and building the Social Bite Village. The innovative village dignifies occupants with beautiful surroundings, 24/7 on-site support and access to college courses and employment opportunities to empower them to lift themselves out of poverty with support along the way. Since 2017 Social Bite has also been a national charity, on a mission to end homelessness in Scotland, pioneering new housing policies in partnership with the Scottish Government, and funding such work to the tune of £4 million.

Alice holds 2 Honorary Doctorate Degrees from universities across Scotland as well as the RSGS Livingstone Medal also held by the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Neil Armstrong.

Now in 2021, Alice is helping other social enterprises and integrity-led professionals lead and thrive the way she has done - and encourages them to go further.

Venue

King's Conference Centre

Contact

Please use the link below to book.