A call for cumulative and collective action on social value as The Purpose Coalition leaders urge every organisation to step up
Working together in partnership is the only way to tackle the wide range of challenges that the country is facing and deliver a fairer society. That was the message from the Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, Nick Forbes CBE, as he addressed the Social Value Conference 2024 in Birmingham to urge collaboration on driving social value across the country. Chair of The Purpose Coalition and former Education Secretary, Rt Hon Justine Greening, also addressed the conference virtually.
The conference brought together experts, practitioners and decision makers from the public, private and third sectors. Over three days of keynote speeches, panels and networking events, hundreds of social value colleagues shared their experiences of best practice and exchanged innovative ideas of how Social Value can be embedded across organisations and sectors.
Making a keynote speech and taking part in a panel discussion with CEOs on how organisations can work together to deliver a social value economy, Nick Forbes CBE, Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, former Leader of Newcastle City Council and member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, said: “I am delighted to be here today with people who share a vision of social value, who recognise that the measure of an organisation’s success goes far beyond its financial returns. It’s about understanding that true prosperity comes from tackling inequality, creating inclusive communities and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive. It’s a mission that is at the core of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission and the wider Purpose Coalition. In our work, it has become increasingly evident that when employers, policymakers, and communities come together, we can drive transformational change. That’s why this conference is so important. It’s not just a discussion, it’s a call for radical cumulative and collective action across sectors, industries, and communities, to truly break down barriers that hold so many people back.
“There are many here who are already driving change, whether that’s through innovative apprenticeship programmes, social value initiatives, or targeted schemes to bring opportunities to the communities that need them most. That includes two leading members of The Purpose Coalition, food and facilities services company, Sodexo UK & I, who are already doing invaluable work across their supply chain for example and defence company, Leonardo, who are developing a talent pipeline, within areas of disadvantage. Both are creating lasting change on the ground. We know what works, and we know that by scaling up these initiatives and creating more partnerships, organisations can amplify their impact for their colleagues, customers and the communities in which they operate.
“The best purpose-led companies are ahead of the curve. For example, as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, it has announced it will launch a refreshed National Procurement Policy Statement alongside the 2023 Procurement Act which will come into force in February next year. Procurement is a key element in delivering greater social value and is already a focus of the work that The Purpose Coalition is engaging on with its members who understand how to weave social purpose into their business models and those of their supply chains.”
Danny Davis, Director of The Purpose Coalition, who also attended the conference said: “The organisations in The Purpose Coalition are committed to embedding opportunity into every part of the UK and are already providing solutions and driving positive social impact and social value on the ground through constructive partnerships. But we need more organisations to step up and to ask how they can do the same. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing – to unlock the potential of everyone across the country, no matter what their background or where they are from.”
