The Social Value Tea 🍵: Week of June 4, 2025

Hello! 👋

Here’s all the Social Value Tea for the week.

From the rebranding of DEI to the record-breaking retreat from ESG funds, this week’s stories show just how political – and personal – impact can be. We’re tracking the shifts in policy, investment, and wellbeing that are shaping the future of purpose-led organisations.

Scroll down for this week’s must-know updates, interesting reads, latest jobs, and more.

Enjoy xx

News news!

Stories you might have missed.

• ESG fund outflows hit record as sustainable investing backlash grows 
  Investors pulled a record amount from “sustainable funds” in the first quarter of the year, in an early sign that the US backlash against ESG-based investing is global. A worrying trend to see, as “ESG” has been criticised by many on the political right and the Trump administration as “woke capitalism”. 
  Read more → The Financial Times
  
• Firms ‘rebranding’ diversity initiatives to avoid unwanted political attention
  Amid political backlash, companies in the UK and US are rebranding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives under terms like “wellbeing,” “belonging,” and “culture” to avoid unwanted attention. While some view this as a strategic adaptation, critics warn it may dilute genuine efforts to address workplace inequality.Read more → The Guardian
  
• Government announces major changes to apprenticeships in new shake up
  The UK government has announced a significant overhaul of apprenticeship funding, aiming to redirect resources from master’s-level (Level 7) apprenticeships to entry-level training for young people. This move is intended to create 120,000 new apprenticeship and training opportunities in sectors like construction, engineering, and healthcare, thereby reducing reliance on migrant workers .
  Read more → The Independent
  
• Rachel Reeves set to confirm extra money to spend on areas outside south-east 
  Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce billions in capital spending for regions outside southeast England following changes to the Treasury’s “green book” investment rules. This move comes amid broader political developments, including welfare reform proposals that have sparked backlash from charities and Labour MPs over concerns they could exacerbate homelessness and poverty. 
  Read more → The Guardian
  
• Thames Water on the brink after KKR drops out of rescue deal 
  Thames Water suffered a major setback in its fight to avoid nationalisation on Tuesday as it said U.S. private equity firm KKR (KKR.N), opens new tab had pulled out of a multi-billion pound rescue plan. Thames Water is at the centre of a public backlash against the privatised water sector which has been blamed for polluting Britain’s rivers and seas while hiking bills, and prioritising dividend payouts over investment in infrastructure.
  Read more → Reuters
  
• Proportion of adults with high anxiety is greater than before pandemic
  According to the Office for National Statistics, 22.6% of UK adults reported high anxiety levels between October and December 2024, surpassing pre-COVID figures. Women and individuals aged 50 to 54 are particularly affected. These findings underscore the ongoing mental health challenges in the post-pandemic era. 
  Read more → The Independent

Caught our eye…

Interesting reads worth sharing. 

📢 Calling my Social Value network for advice!

Genta Haxhija posed the question recently: I’ve been exploring professional membership organisations that align with the kind of work I do for what feels like years now, and I can’t seem to land it – some useful recommendations on here. 

Social Impact Leads Summit to NYC

LinkedIn’s Social Impact Leads Summit in NYC brought together 25 local leaders for a three-day event focused on enhancing leadership skills and fostering community among those driving social impact initiatives across the company. 

Podcast:  The Woman Giving Social Impact a Mic & Making Business Listen

 Is social impact fluff – or your business’s smartest growth lever? Listen to Paula Chamberlain, Head of Social Impact at ClimbUK talk about purpose, business, and why your strategy might need an orange mic.

Celebrating outcomes

Great examples of social value work worth showcasing

Who’s hiring?

Here’s this week’s latest social value jobs list, published every Friday via our LinkedIn company page. 

• Social Justice Development Worker at Greater Together Manchester: https://lnkd.in/ect6hVvD
• Community Development & Participation Lead at Manchester City Council: https://lnkd.in/eiPV4VEj
• Sustainability & ESG Lead at Alpine Fire Engineers Ltd: https://lnkd.in/es6-vX9J
• Stakeholder & Social Value Advisor at Octavius Infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/eBTVH9tB
• Senior Consultant, International ESG Advisory at WSP in the UK & Ireland: https://lnkd.in/eXAXCKSd
• ESG & Sustainability Services Senior Consultant, Risk and Governance (Assurance) at RSM UK: https://lnkd.in/ehMuT-UJ
• Senior Social Value Officer at Matrix: https://lnkd.in/e3xrRSxu
• Group Social Value Impacts & Insights Manager at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services: https://lnkd.in/eaEqZVDX
• Social Value Coordinator at Kier Group: https://lnkd.in/e2mfbJqJ
• Social Value Coordinator at Thorn Baker Construction: https://lnkd.in/ekS2CzBB
• Sustainability Consultant | UK Planning System Focus at Stantec: https://lnkd.in/eWTcWHYc
• Social Mobility Manager at Slaughter and May: https://lnkd.in/e_x6PQkm
• Social Value Coordinator at Stericycle: https://lnkd.in/eVTtPhmb
• Social Value Coordinator at Sureserve: https://lnkd.in/eNZTgUzD
• Lead for Local Economies and Enterprise at Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway: https://lnkd.in/eCxQMFSs
• Social Enterprise Strategic Programme Lead at Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/eyxBxett
• Senior Manager: Community Engagement at Westway Trust: https://lnkd.in/etjk5XS7
• Social Sciences Manager at Allen & York: https://lnkd.in/eQe3TnSG
• Head of Impact at Goldfinger: https://lnkd.in/eThh6zqs
• Strategic Investment Lead at The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales: https://lnkd.in/eHhehdyY
• Responsible Business & Sustainability Manager at Lewis Silkin: https://lnkd.in/eq-xn9hw
• Social Obligations Manager at National Grid: https://lnkd.in/eEueX5s2
• Director, Foundations and Non-profits at the Brunswick Group: https://lnkd.in/eBJ-ac_g
• ESG Manager at Yugo: https://lnkd.in/eRE6WeTj
• Gender and Equality Lead at ETP: https://lnkd.in/eqGVmw-u
• Impact Management (Strategy and External Engagement) at British International Investment: https://lnkd.in/eJrBpSaY 

Report, Podcasts and Webinars

Australia’s ESG blind spot: Research reveals missed opportunities in Social Impact reporting

A recent report from the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW Sydney reveals that while 97% of ASX100 companies report on social topics, these disclosures are often narrow, inconsistent, and lack standardisation, making them difficult to compare.

The research highlights a significant decline in the disclosure of social risks between 2023 and 2024, with only 55% of key social indicators being reported.

Underreported areas include non-compliance with social laws, human rights clauses in contracts, and product safety impacts.

The report advocates for the adoption of standardized metrics and mandatory assurance to enhance transparency and stakeholder confidence in social impact reporting.

Where to be

Upcoming events, awards deadlines and networking opportunities 

• Edie Net Zero awards now open, deadline is June 11
• Better Places Together Conference: Rethinking Engagement and Social Value is June 12th in Liverpool
• APMP UK Social Value Group: Does the future of Social Value lie in the hands of the young? on June 17
• Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025 in June 16-19 in Turkey
• London Climate Action Week is June 21-29
• Reset Connect London 2025 will take place on 24-25 June at Excel London

What we’re loving outside of work…

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