Member Profile

Kate Welch studied physics and Russian at University –a great combination for her potential career as a technical translator but not what she ended up doing.

By her early twenties she was running the family business of what was at that point the biggest purpose built garden centre in the North East.  After a few more tangents, including running an old shipyard in Hebburn, Kate found her calling with the Acumen Group of social enterprises.

With £10 in the bank, she laid the groundwork for a new take on social enterprise. Acumen helps to create a community culture in which everything is possible, and the latent aspirations of community members are realised.  They help people back into work, start businesses or develop their skills. 

Now with over 40 employees, Acumen is recognised on a regional and national level with a reputation for innovation. They have made a difference to over 13,000 lives in the North East and their work has led to the development of more social enterprises. Some are subsidiaries of Acumen and others are already trading as independent companies.

Their latest, Reap & Sow, will offer an exciting range of garden and outdoor living products of the highest quality made by offenders both in prison and the community.

What we do

Delivery of employability, skills and enterprise support particularly for social enterprise Growing and wholesaling plants to Garden Centre and Local Authorities

Company Vision

Acumen is an inspiration to the communities within which it works, a positive agent of change, and a vehicle for creative solutions.  It helps to create a community culture in which everything is possible, and the latent aspirations of community members are realised.

Expertise to offer

Social Enterprise Creative thinking social innovation

I Wish to Learn

Raising investment Growing a company from regional to national