Equans UK and Ireland is a leading provider of technical, facilities management, regeneration, and energy services – and it has a Social Value-centred mission. The business wants to empower individuals, communities, and organisations to transition to net zero, and to create a greener, more equitable society.
Find out how Social Value Portal is helping Equans enhance its Social Value strategy through upskilling and robust reporting.
Equans’ Social Value mission
Social Value has long been a part of the DNA of Equans. The business’s IMPACT manifesto highlights seven key commitments it has made across a range of economic, social, and environmental priority areas:
- Delivering operational excellence
- Committing to safety, ethics, and cybersecurity
- Improving clients’ environmental transition
- Reducing environmental footprint
- Engaging in development of communities
- Providing fair and equal opportunities to all
- Sharing the fruits of performance
Equans has also signed up to numerous covenants and pledges which address the unique needs of various communities and stakeholders. These include young people, care leavers, former members of the armed forces, people with disabilities, ethnic minority groups, survivors of domestic abuse, and others from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Accelerating Equans’ Social Value journey
Equans wanted to take their strong Social Value foundations to the next level. The team also understood that, to do this across a complex, 15,000-person organisation, effective measurement and reporting of Social Value would be key.
This need for a robust, scalable solution led the business to partner with Social Value Portal. Specifically, Equans has enhanced its Social Value programme with two of our key solutions:
- The Social Value TOM System™
- Our Social Value Academy™
Let’s take a look at the part these are playing in Equans’ ongoing Social Value journey.
Amplifying Social Value at Equans with the Social Value TOM System™
Equans sought accurate, meaningful measurement of its Social Value outcomes. As the leading methodology for tracking and reporting Social Value, the Local Government Association-endorsed Social Value TOM System was the natural choice.
The TOM System’s transparency and robustness helped Equans track performance across its initiatives. With quarterly data validation from Social Value Portal’s data review team, Equans has implemented best practice for Social Value reporting and can promote its achievements with confidence.
Charlotte Davies, Social Impact Manager at Equans, commented:
Reporting using the TOM System allows us to identify our strengths and areas of improvement. For instance, we might see that we are great at creating opportunities through apprenticeships, but that we also need to focus more on creating opportunities for responsible businesses in our supply chain. We’re now able to think more strategically about where we go next, because we have the data we need to support those decisions.
Social Value Portal has worked with Equans to create a custom set of TOM System measures and outcomes mapped to its targets. These are effectively the priority metrics the business will deliver against, with many focused on supporting local communities and supply chains.
These tailored TOM System measures have enhanced Equans’ reporting in a range of commercial contexts, such as when bidding for government contracts, procuring services, and conducting corporate reporting.
In total, Equans has logged an incredible 563 projects on the Social Value Portal platform.
The reporting support has been invaluable. We couldn’t have made the progress we have over the last three years as quickly without Social Value Portal.
Charlotte Davies, Social Impact Manager, Equans
Upskilling with the Social Value Academy™
Another key objective in Equans’ strategy is to promote Social Value awareness and education across the UK and Ireland business.
This has been pushed up the agenda by growing interest in Social Value from clients and the desire to ensure good Social Value literacy across the organisation, following the recent merger with Bouygues Energy & Services.
Our Social Value Academy has enabled Equans to take the first steps toward this objective. A unique e-learning solution, the Academy delivers up to date training on what Social Value is and how to harness and cultivate it.
The Social Value Academy features:
- Online learning modules
- Best practice guidance
- Social Value certification
Charlotte commented:
The Social Value Academy is user friendly and clearly laid out. Each module builds on the previous ones, so it’s not taxing – in fact, its enjoyable. We’ve had great feedback across our teams, including from a regional Head of Social Value, who is now encouraging her whole team to use it.
The Academy is increasingly being used across Equans. The Bid team have found it particularly useful for developing an understanding of key TOM System measures and how to report on them.
If I’d had the Social Value Academy when I first got started in Social Value, it would have accelerated my progress massively. It’s an invaluable tool that people can use in their own time at their own pace, and I’m looking forward to the release of the next modules!
Charlotte Davies, Social Impact Manager, Equans
How much Social Value is Equans delivering?
Although Equans’ Social Value strategy is continually being refined, the business has already made an impressive mark, delivering over £56 million of Social Value in 2022 alone.
But what has this resulted in on the ground, in communities and across the supply chain? Here are some of the top priority areas that Equans’ Social Value is impacting:
- Apprenticeships: 13,647 weeks of apprenticeships, delivering £2.8m of Social Value
- Career support sessions: 12,992 hours, delivering £1.6 million worth of Social Value
- Local community projects: £382,026 invested in local community projects, delivering £421,000 of Social Value
- Work experience: 743 hours of work experience, delivering £118,000 of Social Value
Moving forward with Equans
With a fantastic Social Value track record already established, Equans is setting its sights still higher. The pioneering business’s next goal is to embed a holistic, organisation-wide Social Value strategy through a refined reporting process and continued use of the Social Value Academy.
The entire Social Value Portal team is truly excited to see what Equans can achieve with our support. Clare Anderson, Strategic Account Manager at Social Value Portal, commented:
Equans is really leading the way for Social Value in the facilities management space. They are showing what is possible with a robust, data-driven approach and a focus on continual improvement. Also, from a personal perspective, the team’s engagement, passion, and determination to create a positive difference make them a pleasure to work with.
Get started on your Social Value journey
Are you ready to make your next Social Value leap as an organisation? Whether you are a small enterprise, a multinational business, or a local or central government body, we can help you amplify your positive impact.
To discuss how we can support your Social Value goals, book a discovery session with one of our experts.
