The UK’s child poverty rate is among Europe’s highest – and rising. Why is this happening, and more importantly, what bold actions can we take now to change the future?

Speakers:

• Chair: Beatrice Orchard, Senior Policy Manager, Trussell
  
• Katherine Chapman, Executive Director, Living Wage Foundation
• Sara Ogilvie, Child Poverty Action Group
• Rachel Walters, Coalition Manager, End Child Poverty Coalition 
• Louis Schuster-Farrell, Service Development & Change Manager, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Over a million young people are not in education, work, or training in the UK. What’s causing this? And how can Social Value break down barriers and open up new paths to success and self-belief? 

Speakers:

• Chair: Mark Cameron (OBE), Chief Executive, The 5% Club
  
• Jessica Clarkson, Managing Director, Social Mobility Business Partnership
• Sarah Porretta, CEO, Young Enterprise
• Lisa Vicary, Head of Impact, The King's Trust
  
• Danielle Buckley, Regional Social Value Manager, Wates

If Social Value doesn’t stay rooted in real societal needs and strategic objectives, it risks being seen as ‘all talk’ and red tape. How do we keep it authentic, measurable, and deeply rooted in what people actually need?

Speakers

• Chair: Andrew van Doorn (OBE), Chief Executive, HACT
• Rhian Harris, Marketing & Social Impact Manager, Datagraphic Ltd
• Richard Carroll, Chief Procurement Officer, Durham County Council
• Councillor Ed Pitt Ford, Westminster City Council
• Councillor Chris Ready, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, Wigan Council

Too many people in our stretched criminal justice system find themselves trapped in cycles of disadvantage, with missed opportunities, unmet needs, and untapped potential. But what if we reimagined this challenge as an opportunity to drive real change for the communities we live and work in? Join leaders from across the public, private, and voluntary sectors to explore our role in supporting people at risk of offending and those in the justice system. An opportunity to explore how we can join forces to make a real impact on inclusion and community safety, building real pathways to skills, jobs and purposeful futures. This is more than a conversation — it's an open call to co-create ideas. Time to move beyond managing consequences — and invest in potential.

Speakers

• Chair: Tony Simpson, Chief Operating Officer, Sodexo Justice
• Ruth McFarlane, Co-Director, Doing What Really Matters (DWRM)
• Dan Whyte, Co-Director, Doing What Really Matters (DWRM)
• Darren Burns, Head of Timpson Foundation, Timpson Group
• Sean Scannell, Strategic Delivery Manager, Northamptonshire Police
• Steve Chalke, Founder, Oasis UK

Child poverty is never the child’s fault – yet its effects last a lifetime. This session will explore practical approaches that businesses can take to help reduce this rising challenge.

Speakers

• Chair: TBC
• Neil McInroy, Global Lead for Community Wealth Building, The Democracy Collaborative
  
• Stephen Sinclair, Chair, The Poverty & Inequality Commission
• Tara Spence, Chief Executive Officer, Home-Start Suffolk
• Joanna Unthank, Delivery Lead Child Poverty Reduction Unit, North East Combined Authority

Better diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies lead to better businesses by fostering a more innovative, productive, and profitable environment. Join this Masterclass to  learn and how companies can unlock the potential of a wider range of talent. 

Speakers:

• Chair: Leyoh Goodall, VP of Sales, Social Value Portal
  
• Joni Clark, Lead Trainer (EDEI, LGBTQ+), The Diversity Trust
• Rebecca Percy, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, E.ON UK
• Rebecca Dennis, Head of Strategy & Business Management (Women's Football), Football Association

With one million young people reportedly not in employment, education or training, this session focuses on how Social Value initiatives can create meaningful opportunities and spark inspiration to help young people from all walks of life find their path.

Speakers:

• Chair: Elizabeth Heath, Head of Social Impact, Severn Trent
• Guy Venables, Regional Director, Maximus
• Carl Konadu, CEO & Chief Joy Officer, 2-3 Degrees
• Clare Belford, Early Careers and Apprenticeships Manager, Sodexo UK&I
• Melissa Milner, Director of External Affairs & Partnerships, Catch22
• Robert Powell, Sustainability Director, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

By fostering personal development, building social connections, and potentially opening doors to employment or education, sport can be a valuable tool for breaking down barriers and improving social status. Join this session to hear how Football is at the forefront of these opportunities.

Speakers:

• Chair: Helen Sturt, Digital Communications & Amplification Lead - External Affairs, E.ON
• Alexandra Bavin, Director of Business Growth, Lincoln City Foundation
• Alex White, Chief Executive, Premier League Charity Fund
• Dr Gavin Mellor, Director of Data & Insight, Substance
• Tom Drake, Business Head of Community Programmes & Operations, EFL in the Community
• Tom Norton, Head of Programmes, Nottingham Forest Community Trust

As fiscal pressures on the public sector continue to grow, it's more important than ever to recognise that social value isn’t a cost—it’s a smart, strategic investment in resilient, inclusive economies. By partnering with the private sector and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors, we can unlock innovative, place-based solutions that not only deliver meaningful outcomes for communities but also enhance the attractiveness of regions to investors. 

This session will explore how embedding social value into investment strategies can drive long-term economic and social returns. We’ll discuss how to build a compelling business case that positions social value as a key lever for inclusive growth, making places more competitive, resilient, and investment-ready.

Speakers:

• Chair: John Coyne, Director Commercial & Procurement, Birmingham City Council
• Joanna Dahlgren, Head of Social Value & Social Return on Investment, London Borough of Waltham Forest
• Jonathan Martin, Director of Investor Relationships, London Borough of Waltham Forest
  
• Michael McLaughlin, Group Social Value Manager, LHC Procurement Group
• Nina Howells, Place Social Value Lead & Programme Manager, Salford City Council

The Social Value Act and subsequent reforms gave procurement a new purpose — but now we can go further. Discover how the spirit of the Social Value Act can drive progress on Net Zero through smarter supply chains.

Speakers:

• Chair: Ben Tuck, Social Value Manager, E.ON
• Richard Tyrie, Founder & CEO, GoodPeople
  
• Jon Steggles, Sustainability and Social Value Manager, CDW
• Jess Reddy, Digital Inclusion & Alliances Lead, Deloitte
• Ellie Richardson, Head of Device Donation, Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT)
  

Demand for AI is everywhere and growing. But if AI impacts jobs to the detriment of human employees, will it hurt Social Value? Our debate for the afternoon.

Speakers:

• Chair: Alex Rose, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Social Value Portal
• Philippa Lennox King, Head of Responsible Business Strategy, BITC
• Maddie Kortenaar, Marketing Director & Accredited Social Value Practitioner, Social Value Engine
  
• Adam Sargent, Director of Procurement and Social Value, London Borough of Waltham Forest
• Christina Mackay, Head of ESG and Social Value, Hitachi Solutions

Join this session to explore and unpick the different methodologies for measuring and reporting value and impact. What are the differences between how we measure and speak about Social Value and Social Impact, are some methodologies better suited to certain types of organisations, and do they both have a place in the conversation?

Speakers:

• Chair: Charlotte Turner, CEO, Bean Research
• Isabelle Parasram (OBE), Chief Executive Officer, The Institute for Social Value
• Nathan Goode, Chief Knowledge Officer, Social Value Portal
• Carrie-Ann Huelin, Director, Viola Clause
• Holly Onstenk, ESG & Social Value Lead, Hippo Digital

This practical working session unpacks the ways that both public and private sector buyers can better engage with the VCSE sector. 

Speakers:

• Chair: Guy Battle, CEO, Social Value Portal
• Su Pickerill, Head of Social Value, Wates Group
• Richard Raynes, CEO & Co-Founder, SportInspired
  
• Tiia Sammallahti, CEO & Founder, whatimpact
• Katrina Browning, Head of Procurement, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

With the Procurement Act requiring at least three KPIs on contracts over £5m, this session explores how to use contractual levers to drive accountability and transparency for better Social Value reporting.

Speakers:

• Chair: Alison Ramsey, Senior Social Impact Manager, SCAPE
• Terry Brewer, Head of Public Sector Delivery, Social Value Portal
• Tim Rudin, Head of Central Responsible Procurement Team, Greater London Authority Group
• Michelle Wiggins, Head of Social Value, Amey
• Ben Pollard, Marketing Executive, Tussell

The National Procurement Policy Statement makes clear that Social Value should be tailored to local needs. What does this look like in practice, and how can we maximise impact?

Speakers:

• Chair: Ed Lang, Head of Strategic Advisory, Social Value Portal
• Katy Sneyd, Social Value Lead, Maximus UK
• Dave Maher, Managing Director, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Maxine Kennedy, Associate Director Socio-Economics, WSP

Consumers, customers, and investors are looking for brands that stand for something positive. We deep dive into new data demonstrating the importance of Social Value to brand strength.

Speakers:

• Chair: Alison Woodhouse, Director Sustainability & Social Value, Lexington
• Lawrence Hutter, Chairman, The Brand Experience Group
• Nina Allard, Head of The Pret Foundation, Pret A Manger
• Gabriela Palma Ho, Senior Solutions Consultant, Social Value Portal
• Chris Baker, Founder, Serious Tissues
• Louisa Harris, Founder, Curiously Liminal

There is no one way to embed Social Value into public sector procurement and across the UK – there are four! Join this session to learn more about similarities and common challenges across England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.

Speakers:

• Chair: Darren Knowd, CEO, DrKnowd LTD
• Paul Griffiths, Head of Procurement - Delivery, Welsh Government
• Josephine Mitchell, Policy Procurement Manager, Scottish Government
• Jeannie McCann, Social Value Advisor, Strategic Investment Board Northern Ireland
• Peter Schofield, Assistant Director - Integrated Commissioning and Procurement, Manchester City Council 

This session is designed to help SMEs that are starting out on their Social Value journey. Whether you want to win more work with the public sector or just measure and report your Social Value footprint, it will give you the how, what, and when. 

Speakers:

• Chair: Arnab Dutt OBE, National Policy Champion for Procurement & Social Value, Federation of Small Businesses
• Charlotte Gascoyne, Head of Sustainability & ESG, Dals (DA Languages)
• Michael Crook, Head of Strategic Procurement, STAR Procurement
  
• Katie Corbett, Social Value & EDI Manager, Bray & Slaughter

The UK has almost 1 million young people Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET). However, a young person who has four or more encounters with employers is 86% less likely to become NEET and can earn up to 18% more during their career. This session reveals what meaningful work experience for young people looks like, plus details on the government ambition for every young person to access two weeks’ worth of work experience.

• Chair: Erica Chamberlains, Head of Strategic Business Partnerships, Careers & Enterprise Company
• Lian Locke, Positive Impact Manager, LOVAT PARKS
• Tom Rogers, Early Careers Practitioner, BAE Systems
• Claire Le Masurier, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, KPMG

The supply chain represents the untapped reservoir of Social Value. But how can business unlock this opportunity to deliver more value for communities and support corporate objectives? 

Speakers:

• Chair: Nick Welby, Non Executive Director, Social Value Portal
• Sonia Mangat, Head of Responsible Sourcing, Sodexo
• Jess Joseph, Head of Social Value, Bouygues UK
  
• Jon Harrison, Regulatory Affairs Manager, UK Steel
• Michelle McSorley-Sharp, Residential Social Value Director, Wates Residential

Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) supports those who have served in the military with mental health, employment and wraparound care coordination programmes tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Whether mentally, socially or physically wounded, WWTW provides specialised and interconnected services dedicated to getting those who have fallen the furthest back on their feet and moving forward once more.

Join WWTW at their VCSE Spotlight Session to hear more!

All Aboard Youth Rowing (AAYR)
is a charity which was formed in 2016 in the North of England. Now working with multiple schools, over six locations, reaching over 400 young people every week during the academic year, with a grand finale at our annual regatta where we launch over 70 crews who have fun racing and sharing their successes.

AAYR is a dynamic initiative committed to introducing young people to the transformative sport of rowing, often perceived as an exclusive pursuit, they are dedicated to breaking down barriers to make rowing accessible to all.

They actively welcome young people from diverse backgrounds to experience many benefits through AAYR where they believe that rowing can bring out the best in individuals as well as learning valuable life skills that go beyond the water.

AAYR's impact can be evidenced directly from the young people, schools, coaches, and from the wider family/community settings that AAYR does increase physical and mental wellbeing by boosting confidence and self-esteem, helps young people to feel happier and proud, developing physical fitness through fun and helps to foster new friendships. AAYR also helps to improve attendance, behaviour and relationships at school, home and in the community and clearly improves learning outcomes. 

Join AAYR at their VCSE Spotlight session to hear more!

DWRM - is proud to be Doing What Really Matters, disrupting and innovating to revolutionise education in prison. Their mission is to forge accessible, dynamic and co-produced pathways into Employment for students in prison, using education as the catalyst for change. They are proof that anyone, given a chance, can obtain a respected qualification that will create new opportunities and a brighter future. DWRM's team of staff, volunteers and board of directors are genuinely diverse, with over 70% representing people of the Global Majority and over 50% people with direct Lived Experience of prison.

They recognise the potential (and appetite) for people in prison to have much higher goals. Education and employment are also key predictors of the return to crime, with prisoners who are properly skilled and employed being 50% less likely to re-offend. DWRM offers increased opportunities and support for people to gain higher level qualifications and to contribute their academic voice to research and policy reform to improve the justice system from the inside.

They believe that with proper support from organisations such as DWRM, the number of people studying in prison can increase from c2000 to 10,000 within ten years.

Join DWRM at their VCSE Spotlight session to hear more!

United By 2022 is a West Midlands charity with a social mission rooted in legacy. Born out of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, they strengthen the region’s social economy through youth empowerment, volunteering, events services and our unique social value consultancy.

They provide social value expertise for event organisers, infrastructure and redevelopment programmes, local authority procurement functions and businesses who want a competitive edge to their bids. From engagement and strategy development, through to delivery and measurement – UB22 offer an end-to-end service that is informed by five years of experience in the sector.

Their not-for-profit model reinvests income from services into community-led programmes, so every client engagement directly funds impact in underserved communities. They have supported over 500 community groups, helped deliver a £12 million regional grant fund, supported over 2,000 young people to delivery social action projects in their communities, and improved funding access for organisations that are often excluded.

United by 2022's West Midlands-based team brings lived experience, strong local networks and a commitment to ensuring growth benefits everyone.  

Join United by 2022 at their VCSE Spotlight session to hear more!

A new survey shows that only 16% of citizens trust local authorities to look after their interests within the development process. Is this endemic, and if it is, how can we close this trust gap and ensure that Social Value does not become a promise unmet? 

Speakers:

• Chair: Chelsie Riley, Senior Social Impact Adviser, Business in the Community
• Marnie Freeman, Co-Founder & Director, Neighbourly Lab
• Liz Byrne, Founder - Believe Solutions, Believe Solutions
• Steve Butterworth, CEO, Neighbourly
• Fiona McCully, Social Value Impact Lead, Social Value Portal
• Sarah Armstrong, Head of Procurement, Sales and Business Services, Durham County Council

It is over 10 years since the Social Value Act 2012 was implemented – time for plenty of data and trends to emerge. In this session we dive into the metrics, and try to answer the key question: what does ‘good’ actually look like? 

Speakers:

• Chair: Gus Tugendhat, Founder, Tussell
• Rob Wolfe, Managing Director, CHY Consultancy
• Nathan Goode, Chief Knowledge Officer, Social Value Portal
• Tricia Blatherwick, Chief Evangelist, AutogenAI
• Caroline Compton-James, Deputy Chief Executive, SCAPE

The UK is due to spend many billions in new infrastructure across rail, water and our energy systems. This is great for growth and job creation – but what about the Social Value opportunities, net zero targets, and our environment?

Speakers:

• Chair: Peter Masonbrook, Head of Social Value, AtkinsRéalis
• Eilish Halford, Principal Nature Advisory Consultant, WSP
• Sarah D'Arcy, Head of Sustainability, Anglian Water
• Gary Hitchmough, Executive Managing Director for Government and Business Development, First Bus
  

Many of the challenges we face are not unique to the UK, but global, and laid out within the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this session we look at how are some of the world's biggest businesses are balancing these global challenges whilst still meeting local needs and priorities.

Speakers:

• Chair: Anna McChesney Gordon, Chief Strategy Officer, Social Value Portal
• Margot Slattery, Global Head of Social Sustainability & Inclusion, ISS
• Sam Baker, Director, Business Declares
• Kate Broome, Sustainability & Social Impact Director, Kuehne & Nagel
• Charlie Anderson, Amazon