Putting the Value in Social Value: The Evolution of Social Value in Tech Procurement
Guest blog by Cormac Healy, ESG & Sustainability Manager at North #techUKSocialValueWeek
Cormac Healy
ESG & Sustainability Manager , North
In an era where corporate responsibility has become a core imperative, organisations across the technology sector face the challenge of meaningfully differentiating their social value approaches. The new Procurement Policy Note has effectively established a gateway for further developments, prompting technology providers to rethink how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies can create measurable, meaningful impact for communities and clients alike.
A Vision Rooted in Impact
Social value has evolved from the back pages of corporate reports to become central to strategic decision-making. Today's forward-thinking technology providers understand that projects should deliver not only technological excellence but also tangible social benefits that enhance local communities, empower employees, and forge enduring partnerships. For us, the most effective approaches treat social value not as a box-ticking exercise but as an authentic commitment to transforming corporate ambition into societal progress.
Perhaps the biggest opportunity to effect change and deliver meaningful outcomes lies in the power of long-term partnerships. By aligning efforts with strategic customers whose goals complement their own, organisations can create a multiplier effect that drives both business success and transformative social impact.
Building Sustainable Client Relationships
Trust-based relationships are fundamental to effective social value delivery. In a world awash with fleeting digital connections, cultivating deep, meaningful partnerships allows for continuous engagement with stakeholders throughout project delivery, ensuring needs are met and voices heard. When working with City of Edinburgh Council, North understood their priorities were not simply to develop an industry-leading Smart City Operations Centre, but to ensure that education and employment benefits reached the local community. As both a national and a local business, North intrinsically understood where we could provide most benefit, and not only recruited an apprentice from the area who has since received training and development in their Skills for Security Apprenticeship, but also developed interactive sessions with local students to discuss and demonstrate career options.
These long-term relationships serve as the foundation for sharing successes through case studies and testimonials, helping to prove that the sustained collaboration we prioritise leads to remarkable results. Our approach involves maintaining excellent customer satisfaction and nurturing regional networks and leveraging these partnerships to drive sustained social impact.
Innovative Systems for Tracking Social Value
Innovation is not and should not be confined to products but should permeate operational approaches. Leading organisations are developing internal systems that monitor and track social value initiatives with precision and clarity. These systems serve as modern ledgers - capturing metrics from digital upskilling sessions to local supplier engagements.
A rigorous, data-driven approach enables transparent and accurate communication. This not only builds trust with stakeholders but also provides the framework to improve initiatives continuously. With real-time tracking and easy-to-monitor KPIs, organisations can ensure that every commitment is not only met but is clearly documented and shared, turning social value promises into quantifiable success.
The Strategic Approach: A Call to Collective Action
A comprehensive ESG strategy should be more than just policy - it should be a call to collective action. Technology providers can harness their technical expertise and strategic insight to drive initiatives that foster digital innovation, bridge skills gaps, and support sustainable growth. For maximum effectiveness, social value initiatives must align with overall strategic direction.
To enhance social value through tech procurement, organisations can share best practices. By coming together through industry bodies, collaborative platforms, and networking events, we can share what works and amplify collective impact. This spirit of openness and cooperation is fundamental to creating a more socially responsible and connected tech sector.
Conclusion
The future of social value in technology procurement lies in integration rather than separation. By implementing innovative tracking systems, forging deep client relationships, and championing industry-wide collaboration, technology providers can create a future where social value and commercial success are intrinsically linked. The most successful organisations will be those that transform each project into a legacy of positive, measurable impact, putting genuine value into social value initiatives.
techUK's Central Government Campaign Week 2025 – Social Value Week
techUK is pleased to announce our second Central Government Campaign Week, running from 22-25 April 2025.
Unlocking Government Procurement for Tech SMEs - Addressing Social Value Challenges
We're excited to share our latest report, "Navigating Social Value: Challenges Facing Tech SMEs in Government Procurement." This crucial study explores the real-world experiences of small and medium-sized tech enterprises (SMEs) as they navigate the social value requirements within public sector procurement.
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Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Yaroslava, a Junior Programme Manager at techUK's Central Government Programme, blends a decade of international and local Marketing and Business Development expertise with insights from Public Policy gained within a London economic consultancy.
This combination, coupled with her fluency in five languages and linguistic university background, enables her to drive impactful collaborations between the technology supplier community and the UK government, bringing a nuanced global perspective to engagement.
Outside of work, she is an exhibiting artist and leads Art for Wellbeing initiatives, reflecting her commitment to making a tangible difference, particularly through humanitarian aid for Ukraine, where she is from.
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!