FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Compass One, which brings together the specialist expertise of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s ESS, Healthcare and One Retail sectors, has become the first catering and facilities management provider to achieve Level One of the Social Value Management Certificate.
The Social Value Management Certificate is awarded by the Institute for Social Value, the professional body for social value and impact management in the UK, which aims to reduce environmental degradation and inequality and increase wellbeing for all. The Certificate looks at the systems and processes that an organisation or programme has in place for measuring, managing and maximising social value and is awarded following an extensive examination and evidence period.
Throughout the assessment, Compass One clearly evidenced its capacity to manage social value over time, its strategy for impact management and operations, its approach to collecting quantitative data from stakeholders and how it will use the data to drive decision-making.
Last year, the organisation announced the appointment of a specialist new social value team to further enhance and increase the impact of its work. They are supporting the ambitions of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Climate Promise – looking to achieve Climate Net Zero by 2030; Social Promise – providing opportunities for all and breaking down the barriers to employment; and Wellbeing Promise – improving the health and wellbeing of clients, customers and colleagues.
Successful initiatives already delivering social value across the business include charity partnerships, working with Olio to reduce food waste, the provision of supported internships for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both, and the delivery of a Junior Chef Academy to schoolchildren in local communities.
Achievement of the Social Value Management Certificate underlines the Compass One commitment to working with stakeholders, beneficiaries and end users to clearly understand the effects its social value actions and programmes are having.
Compass One has committed to progressing to Level Two of the Social Value Management Certificate within 24 months, which will require it to implement the plans it has committed to. Organisations or programmes are required to achieve Level One certification before progressing to Level Two.
Isabelle Parasram OBE, CEO The Institute for Social Value said: “Compass One’s achievement of the Social Value Management Certificate is a remarkable reflection of their dedication to maximising positive impact. It’s inspiring to see an organisation in the catering and facilities management sector truly embrace social value and embed it within their core operations. We are excited to watch them continue to innovate and progress as they work towards Level Two certification.”
Jess Payne, Director of Social Value – Compass One, commented: “We’re delighted to have achieved the Social Value Management Certificate. Our team has worked hard to develop our Social Value Policy, systems and processes to ensure a comprehensive and robust approach to assessing and maximising the social value we deliver. This is supported by colleagues from across our business who are committed to having a positive effect on our people, our communities and the planet. We’ve made great progress already and we can’t wait to further increase our impact in the coming months and years.”
