Maximising the benefit to local communities has always been central to how we design and deliver our projects.

Our Social Value Strategy sets out how we embed this thinking into our practice — not as a compliance exercise, but as a genuine expression of how we work. It is both a practical guide for project teams and a shared statement of intent: a commitment to ensuring that every project creates meaningful, lasting benefit for people and communities.

The strategy standardises our approach across the practice, creates a baseline against which all projects can be assessed, and ensures it is applicable to every project, regardless of scale.

We are interested in asking how we can do more. One key action lies in asking better questions earlier, listening carefully, and measuring what matters. Social value is not simply an ‘add-on’ at the end of a project — it is part of how we think and what we choose to take on.

The strategy also outlines how we track progress and remain accountable, for example through Impact Reviews, which provide a structured forum to identify risks and issues relating to impacts on people and planet, while exploring opportunities to maximise social value. It also includes post-occupancy evaluation and costing social value activities as a practice investment.

Launching this strategy during B Corp Month reflects the connection between our values and our actions, and our commitment to continually improving the positive impact of our practice.