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Putting the value in social value

25 April 20254 min read
Guest Insights
Putting the value in social value

Vanessa Soames

Social Value Director – Public Sector and Health, Cognizant

Vanessa Soames is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the digital skills landscape. She has held key roles at KPMG Barclays and Cognizant, where she has been responsible for the recruitment and development of graduates, interns, and apprentices in digital skills. As Social Value Director at Cognizant, Vanessa supports public sector clients in skilling underrepresented groups and designing initiatives to match their priorities. She has championed regional skills initiatives, including the Cognizant Women’s in Technology Leadership masters programme and localised technology training bootcamps.

Vanessa has driven tangible outcomes through award-winning programmes for early talent and apprenticeships. Her work with stakeholders and industry-led projects has been recognized, and she has been shortlisted for Creating Capability in Digital Skills at the Social Value awards 2024. Vanessa's commitment to promoting accessible training and guiding the development of emerging technologies is evident in her work.



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Where do you see the biggest opportunity to effect change and deliver meaningful outcomes?

The biggest opportunity to effect change and deliver meaningful outcomes lies in partnering with ecosystems that already have access to disadvantaged communities or those lacking access to education. By leveraging existing programs and relationships, we can achieve long-term impact more effectively than starting from scratch. This approach needs to ensure that the questions asked in tech procurement for social value are relevant to the deliverables and proportional to the size of the contract.

How can we get even more social value through tech procurement?

To maximise social value through tech procurement, crafting targeted, high-impact initiatives that maximise social, environmental, and economic outcomes is essential. Cognizant has set a goal to elevate its Social Value impact by working closely with clients and partners. This effort is led by Vanessa Soames, appointed as the first Social Value Director in September 20232. Since then, Cognizant has transformed its approach to Social Value delivery and measurement, onboarding 40 new partners, aligning Social Value reporting to the IES framework using the Thrive platform, and driving initiatives delivering over a million in Social Value.

What kind of innovative ways are we using to deliver social value?

Cognizant has implemented several innovative initiatives to deliver social value:

  1. Digitech Futures work experience with Connectr: This collaboration involved developing and delivering a one-week hybrid work experience for 40 Year 12 students from London schools. The initiative targeted students from low socio-economic backgrounds and under-represented groups interested in tech careers but lacking role models and mentors. As a result, 95% of participating students said they were more likely to pursue a tech career.

  2. Schools outreach with LetsLocalise: Cognizant collaborates with LetsLocalise to deliver various school engagement initiatives, including participation in Cognizant and Aston Martin Formula One's 'Make a Mark' Day, career development programs, and STEAM programs. These initiatives have engaged 49 schools, benefited 14,639 students, and upskilled 263 teachers.

  3. Software engineering bootcamps with CodeVerse: Cognizant has partnered with CodeVerse to run bootcamps designed to prepare underrepresented talent for entry into tech careers. The partnership has delivered four bootcamps, supporting 43 people to date, with a demographic breakdown including 57% female, 58% Black Heritage, 26% Asian, 8% Eastern European (including Ukrainian refugees), 4% Neurodivergent, and 60% from low social mobility backgrounds. To date, 28 high-potential bootcamp alumni are being considered for roles with major corporations.

  4. On Track to Achieve program with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust: Cognizant has partnered with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to support their "On Track to Achieve" programs in 2025. This partnership has funded initiatives in London and Leeds, aimed at helping young people develop skills such as confidence, resilience, and self-esteem.

How are we leveraging partnerships?

Cognizant leverages partnerships to diversify the digital talent pipeline and benefit marginalised communities economically and socially. By collaborating with organizations like Connectr, LetsLocalise, CodeVerse, and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Cognizant has delivered impactful initiatives that address various aspects of social value. These partnerships enable Cognizant to reach a broader audience, provide targeted support, and create opportunities for underrepresented groups to thrive in the tech industry.

In summary, leveraging existing programs and relationships with disadvantaged communities is the biggest opportunity to effect change and deliver meaningful outcomes. Cognizant has maximised social value through tech procurement by crafting targeted, high-impact initiatives and collaborating with partners. Innovative initiatives like work experience programs, school outreach, boot camps, apprenticeship funding, and skill development programs demonstrate Cognizant's commitment to delivering social value and leveraging partnerships to create lasting impact.