Society: New entrepreneurs who put conscience before profit

A new breed of entrepreneur, motivated by social goals rather than material profits, will be as important to the first decade of the new millennium as the business entrepreneur was to the 1980s, according to new research.

A study to be published later this week by Demos, the independent think- tank, advises the Government to take account of the work of "social entrepreneurs" in its White Paper on social services, due to be published at the end of the month.

The study documents the rise of the social entrepreneur by studying the achievements of five individuals who have been able to network across private and public sectors to create "inspirational" social schemes.

Among those featured is Tony McGann, a former forklift truck driver, who became the charismatic leader of the Eldonian community project which helped local people to refurbish their own homes and avoid being rehoused.

Helen Taylor-Thompson, whose husband Derek is a former head of the Inland Revenue, led the campaign to re-open the Mildmay hospital in north London and played a vital role in establishing it as an international centre for Aids care.

The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur, by Charles Leadbeater, pounds 9.95. Demos 9 Bridewell Place, London EC4V 6AP.