Tell us a bit about your job?

My role is to help businesses understand what social value means for them and the practical things they need to do to serve the needs of all their stakeholders. This includes supporting bid teams with designing and embedding their social value strategy.

What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?

I’m getting to know the Samtaler offering and clients to be able to take on my own client portfolio, not least as having been on the procurement side of contracts for most of my career, I’ll be applying my previous experience in a different way.

What is the best thing about your job/what you are looking forward to the most?

Definitely the best part of the role is being part of such a passionate team. I also love that we have such a diversity of background and experience to bring together on projects.

What’s led you to Samtaler and working in social value?

In my public sector procurement roles, I have always been interested in the detail behind how a contract is to be delivered to best serve communities. While I was at Reading Council, I was seconded to set up and run the One Reading Community Hub to support residents during the Covid pandemic. The Hub was a collaboration with a number of local VCSEs and opened my eyes to local needs in a completely different way, as well as the value of meaningful cross-sector partnerships. I left Reading in summer 2022 to focus more on projects that deliver real, meaningful social value. I came across Samtaler at that point and really liked their approach and resources for SMEs. It was then a case of patiently waiting for a role to come up with them that I could apply for!

What things are you focusing on over the next 12 months?

I am a trustee at Graft Thames Valley, a local micro-charity supporting people who face barriers to employment in standard recruitment processes. I have recently taken on the role of Treasurer, so working on budget, as well as supporting future strategy, which is keeping me busy! Otherwise, I’m intrigued how the implementation of the Procurement Act will influence the social value agenda.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A good coffee shop that does nice toasties and cake! I enjoy getting out on my bicycle when I can and am fortunate in that we have a good selection of bike cafés nearby with some amazing cakes. I am also spoilt by being near an amazing local community café (The Kimel Cafe) that provides employment placements for those who are neurodiverse. They do the best toasties, which gives me a perfect excuse to get out for a walk at a lunchtime and support a good cause.

How we can help

At Samtaler, we understand the importance of your social value commitment. You’re here because you care about the impact your business has on society and want to be better. We want you to succeed, and we know from experience that achieving social value requires skill, strategy, and support.

To find out how we can help send an email to hello@samtaler.co.uk

Sign up to The Social Value Files for inspiration and practical ideas to create social value for your business.

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