On 19 November, the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) hosted its Social Value and Procurement Seminar at the Old Fire Station, Oxford. The event brought together procurement teams and local businesses to explore how embedding social value into purchasing decisions can strengthen communities and drive business growth.
Speakers from Cleenol Group and Beard shared how they’ve integrated social value into their organisations, while discussions highlighted practical steps for businesses and suppliers. Key insights included the importance of creating genuine social value that meets local needs, using procurement spending power to support Oxfordshire communities, and leveraging AI to consider social value in tender applications. Attendees also learned that recent Community Employment Plans in the Vale of White Horse have delivered £7.5 million of social value, demonstrating the tangible impact of these approaches.
This seminar forms part of OIEP’s wider work to promote social value across Oxfordshire. Through its Social Value and Procurement Working Group, OIEP brings together public, private, and voluntary sector partners to share best practice, develop guidance, and champion procurement approaches that deliver benefits for local people and businesses. By embedding social value into everyday decisions, the partnership aims to create a fairer, more inclusive economy for the county.
Thank you to our speakers and to Damascus Rose Kitchen, whose catering showcased the power of social enterprise in supporting refugee women through culinary excellence.
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