Overview
The Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) invites you to an afternoon dedicated to understanding and delivering social value in practice.
As expectations grow across the built environment, the challenge is no longer defining social value but embedding it in a way that is meaningful, measurable and lasting. This conference brings together industry leaders, local voices and emerging talent to explore how social value can be delivered across the full lifecycle of development.
Through a series of expert presentations and discussion, the programme will examine:
- What social value means in practice
- Where it is created, from design through delivery and use
- How organisations can demonstrate impact with clarity and credibility
Discussions will span key themes including community wellbeing, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, skills and education, and equality and inclusion—reflecting the broad role the built environment plays in shaping everyday life.
Why attend
- Hear from leading voices across development, design and delivery
- Gain practical insight into how social value is being applied on real projects
- Connect with peers across the Cambridge built environment network
- Explore how social value can strengthen both project outcomes and organisational purpose
Speakers
The conference will feature a mix of industry experts, public sector leadership and practitioners delivering social value on the ground:
- Richard Surma, AstraZeneca – on how social impact contributes to attracting talent at scale
- Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (Keynote) – the role of social value at a city and policy level
Panel discussions
Two cross-disciplinary panels will explore how social value can be embedded more effectively across projects and organisations.
Programme highlights
- Networking lunch to open the event
- Three expert speaker sessions with Q&A
- Keynote address from the Mayor of Cambridge
- Panel discussion bringing together diverse perspectives
Supporting social value
In line with the theme of the conference, CFCI is committed to creating wider benefit through the event. This includes:
- Opportunities for local charities to engage with attendees
- Creating space for early-career professionals to access industry insight
- Encouraging collaboration across sectors and disciplines
