Chair: Julian Blake, Partner, Stone King Contributors: Rachael Atkin, CSR Manager, Fusion21 Steve Boyd, Head of Procurement, Oldham Council This session will reflect on the learning from two different experiences focused on social value: Fusion21’s support to local authorities to drive social value through planning, and Oldham Council’s recent work to embed social value in its procurement. How can a focus on social value create real change and impact at scale? What are the key issues involved? How to avoid the danger of social value becoming a box ticking exercise? Julian is a public benefit specialist lawyer, with Stone King. He has specialised, for 30 years, in social enterprise, responsible business, charity, co-operatives and public service delivery, commissioning, financing and innovation. He blends commercial and social legal disciplines, focussing on: purpose-driven, inclusive and progressive organisations; multi-sector, multi-stakeholder partnerships; social value; social impact; and community engagement and mobilisation. He promotes the European Commission’s purposive guidance on procurement and state aid, is the co-author of “The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement” and advised on pioneering “Innovation Partnerships” in Oldham and Leicestershire. He works with providers, commissioners and social finance institutions, across sectors including: education; health; social care; early years; youth; rehabilitation; transport and renewable energy. Expertise includes: advice to social enterprises, co-operatives, charities and businesses; formations; governance; reorganisations; regulation; commercial, public, and third sector contracts; social and innovative finance; collaborations, joint ventures, mergers and business transfers; procurement and state aid. Rachael Atkin is Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at national social enterprise and procurement organisation, Fusion21, leading on driving social impact activity through procurement and planning processes. The social enterprise has more than 600 public sector members across the UK and has generated more than £84M in social impact value to date. Experienced in the public and private sectors working within community development and social value practitioner roles, Rachael’s track record has included implementing key community strategy in regeneration; managing social value activity through the construction of major developments and embedding commercial processes to secure social value. Recently Rachael has supported Fusion21 member Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council with a policy change which allows them to secure social value outcomes within section 106 legislation. This approach ensures that social value is prioritised by developers so local residents living in the Merseyside borough can enjoy the maximum possible benefits from major developments taking place there. Rachael has a strong interest in the areas of sustainability, development and regeneration and has a degree in Sustainable Communities. Steve’s current contract is working for Oldham Borough Council, working with the Procurement Team to develop new commercial strategies and harmonising compliant working practices. Steve’s experience in Procurement stretches back over 25 years working in the Private Sector, and more recently for both Local and Central Government Organisations, during which he has developed a skill set in this sector covering all categories of spend, including Hard/Soft FM and Construction Projects. Social Values are always given consideration in any Procurement activity, ensuring Social, Economic and Environmental opportunities are maximised in the outcomes of all contractual deliveries.
Chair: Julian Blake, Partner, Stone King Contributors: Rachael Atkin, CSR Manager, Fusion21 Steve Boyd, Head of Procurement, Oldham Council This session will reflect on the learning from two different experiences focused on social value: Fusion21’s support to local authorities to drive social value through planning, and Oldham Council’s recent work to embed social value in its procurement. How can a focus on social value create real change and impact at scale? What are the key issues involved? How to avoid the danger of social value becoming a box ticking exercise? Julian is a public benefit specialist lawyer, with Stone King. He has specialised, for 30 years, in social enterprise, responsible business, charity, co-operatives and public service delivery, commissioning, financing and innovation. He blends commercial and social legal disciplines, focussing on: purpose-driven, inclusive and progressive organisations; multi-sector, multi-stakeholder partnerships; social value; social impact; and community engagement and mobilisation. He promotes the European Commission’s purposive guidance on procurement and state aid, is the co-author of “The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement” and advised on pioneering “Innovation Partnerships” in Oldham and Leicestershire. He works with providers, commissioners and social finance institutions, across sectors including: education; health; social care; early years; youth; rehabilitation; transport and renewable energy. Expertise includes: advice to social enterprises, co-operatives, charities and businesses; formations; governance; reorganisations; regulation; commercial, public, and third sector contracts; social and innovative finance; collaborations, joint ventures, mergers and business transfers; procurement and state aid. Rachael Atkin is Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at national social enterprise and procurement organisation, Fusion21, leading on driving social impact activity through procurement and planning processes. The social enterprise has more than 600 public sector members across the UK and has generated more than £84M in social impact value to date. Experienced in the public and private sectors working within community development and social value practitioner roles, Rachael’s track record has included implementing key community strategy in regeneration; managing social value activity through the construction of major developments and embedding commercial processes to secure social value. Recently Rachael has supported Fusion21 member Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council with a policy change which allows them to secure social value outcomes within section 106 legislation. This approach ensures that social value is prioritised by developers so local residents living in the Merseyside borough can enjoy the maximum possible benefits from major developments taking place there. Rachael has a strong interest in the areas of sustainability, development and regeneration and has a degree in Sustainable Communities. Steve’s current contract is working for Oldham Borough Council, working with the Procurement Team to develop new commercial strategies and harmonising compliant working practices. Steve’s experience in Procurement stretches back over 25 years working in the Private Sector, and more recently for both Local and Central Government Organisations, during which he has developed a skill set in this sector covering all categories of spend, including Hard/Soft FM and Construction Projects. Social Values are always given consideration in any Procurement activity, ensuring Social, Economic and Environmental opportunities are maximised in the outcomes of all contractual deliveries.