Lancashire Social Value Network

Join us for the next Lancashire Social Value Network where we will examine how we can build better links between social commitments and tangible community impact.

This session will delve into how organisations can move from tender aspiration to meaningful action—supporting local communities, building partnerships, and achieving outcomes. 

The Lancashire Social Value Network returns in March and the session will feature a panel discussion from six leading voices around social value, with many years of experience and insight. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions from the floor. The panel includes:

• John Walmsley, Social Impact Executive, Casey Group
• Lauren Capstick, Strategic Partnership Manager, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub
• Paul Bullock, Managing Director, 3D 360
• Jane Smith, Social Value Consultant, Impact Den
• Greg Mitten, Project Co-ordinator, LACVS (Lancashire Association of CVS')
• Mick Smith, Group Director of Commercial Services, Together Housing Group & Managing Director, Newground

The event will explore:

• How organisations can partner with local projects or causes to deliver social value
• Where and how to find opportunities in Lancashire that generate the greatest impact
• How to reflect local needs and opportunities within tenders and bids
• Common challenges that organisations face when delivering social value—and how to avoid them
• The opportunities and considerations when forming social value partnerships
• Turning social value commitments into tangible results for local people

The event will also feature:

• The opportunity to network across sector, with 100 other businesses, procurers, charities and projects
• The opportunity to speak to a small number of exhibitors who can support organisations to deliver social value 
• A platform to speak to a representative of Lancashire County Council's Procurement team

Please note: A selection of hot beverages will be available at the event. If the events sells out we may restrict attendance to two per organisation. 

Who should come along?

This theme will be of interest to:

• Organisations aiming to enhance their bids and tenders by better identifying and embedding locally focussed social value
• Organisations that have made social value commitments and want to maximise their impact in Lancashire
• Organisations struggling to deliver social value commitments or identify ways of doing so
• Organisations seeking connections, ideas or inspiration to meet existing or future social value, CSR, and ESG objectives
• Social value practitioners or anyone with an interest in delivering Social Value in Lancashire

Panel Bios

John Walmsley, Social Impact Executive, Casey Group

John leads the development and delivery of social value across construction and regeneration projects for Casey. He specialises in embedding meaningful, measurable social value through education, skills, employment, community investment and environmental initiatives, working closely with local authorities, housing providers and community partners to deliver long-term impact.

Lauren Capstick, Strategic Partnership Manager, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub

Lauren is Strategic Partnership Manager, working to drive social value and inclusive growth across Lancashire. She works on initiatives that support unemployed and economically inactive residents into sustainable employment, oversees the Recruit Lancashire People Skills Pledge, and collaborates with employers to provide guaranteed interviews, placements, and tailored support for those facing employment barriers.

Mick Smith, Group Director of Commercial Services, Together Housing Group & Director, Newground

Mick holds dual leadership roles within Together Housing Group (THG). As Group Director of Commercial Services, he is responsible for THG’s procurement activities and the delivery of the Group’s Social Value Strategy. He also leads the charity Newground Together, (a member of THG) and its subsidiary Newground CIC, a social enterprise offering services in environmental and health & safety compliance, flood resilience and employment & skills. All profits from Newground CIC are reinvested into Newground Together, funding community projects across Northern England.

Mick began his journey at Newground as a volunteer, progressing to Managing Director in 2014, before being appointed into his current role. He is deeply committed to delivering the Group's Social Value Strategy, which aims to create opportunities for people to thrive through services which address health and wellbeing, financial hardship and resilience, young people engagement and support, and social inclusion.

Jane Smith, Social Value Consultant, Impact Den

Jane Smith is a leading expert in designing and delivering social value strategies that create a lasting legacy for communities. As the Director of Impact Den, she leverages over 12 years of experience to help businesses, local authorities, and commissioners mandate and measure social responsibility outcomes.

Before founding Impact Den in 2023, Jane held senior roles within The Calico Group, where she managed the UK's top-performing Shared Apprenticeship Scheme and provided social value consultancy across Lancashire. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between corporate goals and community needs and is a passionate advocate for skills and employment.

Paul Bullock, Managing Director, 3D 360

Paul Bullock is Co Founder and Managing Director of 3D 360 Ltd, an award winning advanced manufacturing training provider recognised for embedding measurable social value into skills delivery. With over 30 years’ experience in engineering and the nuclear sector, Paul now focuses on closing skills gaps while creating lasting social and economic impact. 

He leads innovative programmes such as LIFT (Local Industry Funded Training), which enables employers to generate quantifiable Social Value while investing in future talent. A passionate advocate for inclusive growth, Paul holds multiple advisory and voluntary roles championing social value, skills development and equality across industry, education and the voluntary sector.

Greg Mitten, Project Co-ordinator, LACVS (Lancashire Association of CVS') and LOCAL Project (Locally Organised Communities Across Lancashire).

Greg Mitten has worked within the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise sector), for over 25 years in senior management roles across health, housing, homelessness, project development and cross sector partnership initiatives He specialises in an Asset-Based Community Development approach, which involves the local VCFSE sector alongside local residents, as well as public and private sector stakeholders. The resulting partnerships encourage the sharing of knowledge, skills, experience and resources to build stronger, more connected communities.

Greg’s current role is as the Co-ordinator of the LACVS LOCAL Project (Home - Local Lancashire). The LOCAL project builds on the nine priorities of the VCFSE Sector Manifesto for Lancashire: A VCFSE Sector Manifesto for Lancashire - Local Lancashire. Its key focus is on helping the VCFSE, Public & Private sectors to work in partnership for the benefit of our local communities. Greg believes that it is essential the VCFSE sector is fully involved as an equal partner and in the facilitation of the Social Value model across Lancashire.

Agenda

• 1230 - Delegate registration opens, opportunity for networking and to visit stands
• 1330 - Event starts and panel discussion
• 1430 - Event ends, networking for up to an hour following the event

Location

The Exchange, Lancashire County Hall, Preston, PR1 8XB

This event is delivered by The Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub.