A valuable event at The Guildhall in York has delivered a clear warning to UK organisations: failing to demonstrate social value could mean missing out on lucrative public and private sector contracts worth millions of pounds. With the procurement landscape evolving rapidly, businesses are urged to move beyond rhetoric and provide concrete evidence of their positive social and environmental impacts.

On 9 March 2026, the meeting brought together a diverse mix of business leaders, academics, social enterprises and public sector representatives. Their shared agenda was to explore ways in which organisations can better communicate and harness the increasing importance of social value within procurement and commercial strategies throughout the UK.

The event, organised by the Meaningful Business Network, a collaboration between Enterprise Works and the University of York’s School for Business and Society, focussed on the commercial necessity of social impact. The groups discussed value creation from the ecosystem perspective.

Speakers highlighted the vast scope of opportunity. With UK public procurement exceeding £300 billion each year, and central government contracts now demanding a minimum 10 per cent weighting for social value, organisations that ignore these criteria risk being sidelined.

The groups were split into workshops, and they discussed a range of questions, issues, and potential solutions.

Social value was once considered a peripheral activity but has become a crucial factor in winning business.

Firms unable to provide tangible evidence of their social and environmental contributions face the prospect of being downgraded or disqualified during contract bidding processes. Conversely, those with robust proof of impact are gaining a distinct competitive advantage, positioning themselves for sustained success.

The keynote speakers emphasised to attendees that many organisations still underestimate the magnitude of this opportunity. They explained that social value has shifted from a ‘nice to have’ to a vital differentiator that sets businesses apart.

Companies that proactively articulate how they benefit communities, supply chains and the environment are not only securing more contracts but are also fostering stronger partnerships and building the foundations for sustainable, long-term growth.

The implications discussed reach well beyond regional borders. Speakers noted a nationwide shift in consumer expectations, with customers increasingly scrutinising how businesses protect the environment, support local communities and act responsibly.

This trend is transforming traditional measures of success, as explained by Dr Alex Alterskye, entrepreneurship and innovation specialist at the University of York. He argued that growth and innovation are now deeply intertwined with how well organisations engage with wider ecosystems.

Understanding and embedding social value is not only ethically correct but also strategically vital. Businesses choosing to ignore this shift may be surpassed by more purpose-driven competitors, who are better positioned to attract customers and talent by prioritising social value in their business models.

Dr Madeline Powell, a researcher on co-production and social values, discussed how collaborative approaches between businesses, communities, and public bodies can generate lasting, shared benefits. She told businesses to think of social value as a key part of their work, not just something extra.

Sam Leach, co-founder of Spark and Chair of the Community Wealth Building Committee, stressed the importance of measurement and storytelling. Demonstrating social value requires credible data, clear frameworks, and the ability to communicate its impact effectively to commissioners, investors, and customers.

For many attendees, the takeaway was both practical and strategic: organisations must invest in tools and systems that capture social outcomes, train staff to articulate impacts, and build cross-sector partnerships to maximise results.

The event’s conclusion was clear: social value has reached a tipping point. What was once corporate social responsibility now determines contract success, trust and business growth.

For UK businesses, the message from York is clear: the opportunity is substantial, the policy landscape is defined, and the competitive advantage is tangible.

Those who act decisively on evidence and embed social value will unlock millions, while those who hesitate risk being left behind.

More information about this is available here.