Jonathan Coburn

Jonathan is founding director and principal consultant at the Social Value Lab. He is a highly experienced social researcher and consultant, who holds a strong reputation for his expertise in the field of social enterprise. He has built a broad consultancy portfolio over many years, and experience on issues as diverse as public service reform, community health, neighbourhood renewal, community planning, environmental justice, equalities, and social inclusion. You are just as likely to find him conducting large-scale programme evaluations for Government as you are advising third sector intermediaries, or facilitating local community action research studies.

He brings almost 20 years experience in third sector research, management, strategy, and evaluation. Prior to founding the Lab, he held the position of Director responsible for social research and community consultancy at EKOS. In previous positions in the voluntary sector and public sector, he developed a track record of achievement in setting up and managing community regeneration, capacity building, social enterprise support, and action research programmes in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.

He holds a strong commitment to learning and professional development, and is well networked. His first degree was in Social Sciences from Queens University, Belfast, and since then he has gone on to acquire a postgraduate qualification in Social Research, and Masters’ degrees in Urban Development and Local Economic Development. He is trained and experienced in the application of various social impact measurement techniques, including Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Social Accounting. Among other professional and voluntary commitments he is an active member of the SROI Network, Social Research Association, Social Audit Network, UK Evaluation Society, and Scottish Evaluation Network.

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