Business leaders and commissioners to convene at Social Value Summit

‘Biggest challenge facing public bodies is austerity’ says SEUK CEO. Summit will encompass new Social Value Awards and the Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, to address delegates. The third annual Social Value Summit hosted by Social Enterprise UK and Interserve, and supported by Business in the Community, will be held onThursday 11 February 2016 at the British Medical Association (BMA) in London.

The one-day event comes three years after the Public Services (Social Value) Act came into force. It will bring together those interested in creating social value through commissioning and procurement with organisations that deliver public sector contracts, from both the social and private sectors.

This year the programme will include sessions on devolution and the delivery of social value internationally. The UK is widely regarded as a pioneer on the topics of social value, social enterprise and social investment. A larger venue will be home to this year’s summit in response to the popularity of the annual event.

Peter Holbrook, CEO of SEUK, said “Social value continues to be a very hot topic, for organisations in every sector. Many public services are outsourced and there are no signs of this slowing – quite the opposite. Creating social value, and knowing how to measure and report on it, is incredibly important for those commissioning and bidding for public sector contracts.

“The biggest challenge facing public bodies, whether they’re local authorities, healthcare commissioners or in fire and police services, is austerity. Many are working with smaller budgets and smaller teams than ever before – the event aims to help both commissioners and providers understand how services and social value can be delivered in a tough economic climate.”

Adrian Ringrose, Interserve’s Chief Executive, said “It is crucial that those of us working with and supplying the public sector help drive the momentum that has built up behind the Social Value Act since it came into force three years ago. We at Interserve have achieved a great deal over the last year, especially in terms of measuring and reporting on the impact we are making in the communities in which we work. However, this is only the start of the journey and I’m delighted that the Cabinet Office has decided to launch the inaugural Social Value Awards at the summit, which will raise awareness of social value further and encourage us all to do more.”

Tickets

Speakers will include senior leaders from big businesses such as Asda and Interserve, and those in commissioning and procurement in local government. The summit will close with the first ever Social Enterprise Awards, organised by the Cabinet Office and supported by KPMG. Rob Wilson, Minister for Civil Society, will address delegates.

For the full line up of speakers and to buy tickets, visit www.socialenterprise.org.uk/events/social-value-summit