Social Value Needs Proactive Leadership: Seven Scalable Tips for Welsh Businesses
By Adam Cox, Social Value Lead Consultant, Cwmpas
Social value is more than a box to tick on a procurement form. It’s a commitment to delivering measurable benefits to communities, workers, the environment and of course, in Wales we have cultural considerations too, and it demands grown-up leadership. In Wales, we’re uniquely positioned to lead this agenda, with robust and outcomes-led legislation, but implementation requires more than ambition; it requires integrity, accountability, and delivery.
Here are seven practical ways leaders in Welsh businesses can scale social value effectively.
- Lead with Conviction, Not Visibility
In social value, the loudest voices often chase recognition. True leadership, however, is quieter – it’s about setting standards, shaping frameworks, and staying true to purpose even when no one is watching. Conviction drives consistent, long-term impact. - Challenge, Don’t Just Comfort
Effective leaders don’t manage consensus; they invite disagreement, critique, and collaboration across sectors. Pushing social value forward requires brave conversations and the courage to question established norms. - Connect Policy to Practice
Moving beyond reporting for procurement’s sake means connecting legislative intent to tangible community impact. Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act give us a head start- but leadership means using these as living frameworks, not checklists. - Make Language Accessible
Social value leadership isn’t about jargon or complicated frameworks. It’s about making the agenda understandable for SMEs, suppliers, and communities who deliver real impact on the ground. Clarity equals engagement. - Co-Design Solutions
The strongest leaders don’t arrive with all the answers. They create spaces for others to shape solutions alongside them. Co-design ensures interventions are context-specific, culturally appropriate, and more likely to succeed. - Prioritise Legacy Over Metrics
KPIs matter, but they’re not the ultimate measure of leadership. The real test is how well you empower others to act on their own values, long after you’ve left the room. Leadership is about creating a lasting ripple effect. - Embrace Policy Literacy and Brave Conversations
Wales’ legislative environment gives us a unique advantage, but only leaders who understand the policy landscape, and are willing to have uncomfortable conversations ,can unlock its full potential. Social value requires thoughtful navigation, not box-ticking.
Wales is a proving ground for social value. But to lead here, businesses need grown-up leadership – leaders willing to challenge, to learn, and to create impact that lasts. When we do this right, social value isn’t just a policy requirement; it becomes a movement, shaping a future where business and communities thrive together.
Contact Cwmpas
Looking to take a strategic approach to social value? Find out more about our consultancy options: https://cwmpas.coop/what-we-do/services/consultancy-services/
