Sixth annual Social Value Conference announces this year's speakers

Organisers of the industry leading, not-for-profit Social Value event, the Social Value Conference, have released a list of the high profile leaders and changemakers scheduled to speak over the two day event in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.

Run in partnership with Social Value Portal and the National Social Value Taskforce, this year’s event will take an in-depth look at the Social Value Economy, following the newly launched white paper on the subject.

Delegates from the public, private and third sectors will be invited to share ideas, examples of best practice and thoughts on what a Social Value Economy looks like. It will also tackle the challenges that Social Value faces such as measurement and the provision of evidence, through the wider lens of the economy as a whole.

Noteworthy speakers:

Alex Norris, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up

Tara McGeehan, president of CGI’s UK & Australia Operations

Martin Esom, CEO, Waltham Forest

Lindsay Maguire, deputy director, Procurement Reform (Implementation), Cabinet Office

Sean Haley, CEO, Sodexo UK & Ireland

John Hayes, head of supply chain, NatWest Bank

Liz Barclay, UK small business commissioner

Adrian Hawkins, chairman, Herts LEP Skills and Employment

Martin Traynor OBE, Crown Commissioner, Cabinet Office

Barry Hooper, chief commercial officer, head of profession, Ministry of Justice

Simon Russian, development director, Redevco

Jason McEwan, portfolio director, Government Property Agency

Chris Georgiou, head of commercial bids & proposals, Roche

Lorraine Cox, director, STAR Procurement

Darren Knowd, commercial director, Durham County Council

Day One (13 June) of the conference will take place at Church House, Westminster, London. It will kick off on the main stage with Alex Norris, Tara McGeehan, Martin Esom, Campbell MacDonald (Social Value specialist), Holly Piper (Fair4All Finance) and Guy Battle, (CEO, Social Value Portal) introducing ‘Towards A Social Value Economy: Building the Vision.’

Breakout groups will also take place where ideas can be shared on how to improve the societal, environmental and economic challenges faced by communities today in order for everyone to prosper and flourish. Grace Enterprises and Working Chance will share their inspiring stories to demonstrate how they are already improving prospects for the more disadvantaged in their communities.

The Social Value Awards ceremony, hosted by broadcaster, economist and former politician, Ed Balls, will take place in the evening. A record number of entries were received for the fifth annual awards, which celebrates and recognises the organisations and individuals going above and beyond to deliver added value to their communities. See the shortlist.

Day Two (14 June) will explore the power and potential of the business community to deliver Social Value.

The virtual events will offer a masterclass in Social Value procurement as well as encouraging some lively debates on topics such as; social value vs CSR, whether Social Value is working for our Third Sector, how Social Value can help to win more work and what radical collaboration looks like.

In light of frequent conversations around accreditation and training, Social Value Portal will also be unveiling their brand new e-learning platform, the Social Value Academy at the conference.

There will also be industry specific sessions for the construction, facilities management and investment sectors looking for new ideas to take Social Value further.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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