Explainers

Read through our thought-provoking articles for inspiration, or see what’s new with social impact trends and news

Social Value in the NHS – What Happens Now?

Social Value in the NHS – What Happens Now?

On April 1 2022, all NHS bodies commissioning goods and services under the supervision of NHS England - plus bodies acting on their behalf - were required to give a mandatory weighting to Social Value considerations in awarding contracts.  With the NHS accounting...

Can You Be Sure You Aren’t Greenwashing?

Can You Be Sure You Aren’t Greenwashing?

“Greenwashing” by businesses is firmly in the sights of governments and regulators around the world. If your business is now more alert to your environmental impact and the need to create sustainable systems or if you are claiming credit in bids for your environmental...

How an SME Can Win More Work with Social Value

How an SME Can Win More Work with Social Value

Small businesses aren’t exempt from the need to demonstrate social value when they bid for public contracts. And an SME that finds itself in competition with the big players is not at a disadvantage. In fact, the Social Value Model goes a long way to level the playing...

ESG and Social Value: What’s the Difference?

ESG and Social Value: What’s the Difference?

In barely 20 years, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has come to dominate financial thinking. This is clearly a cause for celebration: the fact that markets and investors favour responsible companies is hugely welcome. But there is a growing sense that ESG...

COP26: What It Means for Construction

COP26: What It Means for Construction

The built environment and construction accounts for 38% of total global carbon emissions. So it may surprise you to learn that: The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s COP summits have only had a day specifically dedicated to buildings since 2015 This year’s...

COP26: What Can Businesses Do To Help Achieve Net Zero?

COP26: What Can Businesses Do To Help Achieve Net Zero?

450 of the world’s biggest financial companies - controlling 40% of total global assets, worth $130 trillion - pledged to achieve Net Zero by 2050 at the COP26 summit.  But what does that mean in practice? What lessons are there for other businesses to learn from...

What Housing Associations Need To Do About Social Value

What Housing Associations Need To Do About Social Value

The social benefits generated by providing safe, affordable housing for those in need have always been a priority for housing associations. And the revolution in social value requirements that began with PPN06/20 and which will take a big leap forwards with the...

5 ways to get started with carbon reduction today

5 ways to get started with carbon reduction today

Climate crisis. CO2 emissions. Net zero. Carbon neutral. There is no denying that these are hot topics and as we have previously discussed, businesses are poised to make a difference. Consumers, clients, even law makers all look to business to understand what is...

What is PPN 06/20 and what are the more recent changes?

What is PPN 06/20 and what are the more recent changes?

Acronyms are a mainstay of the corporate world. If you've ever worked for a large company your days would no doubt have been filled with in house shortenings that only you and your well entrenched company colleagues would understand. A sort of day-to-day code for...

Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched by the United Nations in 2015 as a ‘global framework for a sustainable future’, aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. Whilst set up to be implemented by governments, the...