Across the UK, the structures sector plays an important role in economic expansion and development, while also shaping social and environmental landscapes. The latest Social Value in Construction benchmarking report found that more than £1 billion was spent on social pricing projects for 2022. Under the Public Services (Social Value) Act of 2012, companies must take into account the economic, social and environmental well-being of commissioned projects and the positive effect on communities is accelerating.
Esh Construction has tried to stay ahead of the curve by offering network benefits around its framing projects and lately offers social pricing through 30 custom programs, some of which have been award-winning. As it continues to grow its portfolio in Yorkshire and in the face of Despite the implications brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Esh has restructured its social cost proposition by crafting a local building strategy focused on six thematic ‘E’s: employment, education, engagement, greener, people and economy.
After joining Esh in November 2021 as a community coordinator, Megan Roberts had a lot of catching up with commitments that might not be met due to school closures and closure rules. In the summer of 2022, Megan was promoted to Social Value Manager for Yorkshire with the key ambition to contribute to the communities in which Esh operates and build a legacy of social value.
Megan, head of Esh’s social pricing business in Yorkshire, has noticed opportunities emerging, with over £2. 8 million worth of social pricing delivered to the region in the last 12 months alone, with an average return on investment of 18% on social pricing. it hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Megan named Leeds and West Yorkshire’s Top 30 Under 30 list for new business talent, due to the way she has developed collaborative partnerships to grow ESH’s supplier and established organisations into the centre of local communities.
Reflecting on the progress made over the three years, Megan said:
“When I joined Esh, I spent some time catching up on commitments that could not be met due to the lockdown era and social distancing restrictions. However, over the past 12 to 18 months, our programs and partnerships of social prices have noticed wonderful changes and improvements. coinciding with the expansion of our paint in South Yorkshire. It is a really exciting time to be operating in social value and construction.
Participation in key industry events, such as the addition of the 2023 North Star School of Science at Gulliver’s Valley theme park and Get Up to Speed with STEM at the Magna Science Adventure Center this year and last year, has paid off, as Esh has interacted with over 4000 academics and partnered with RNN. Group, The Work-wise Foundation and Skills Street.
Key projects introduced in the last two years come with a structure in the curriculum and a water-themed Get into STEM program, which offers genuine insight into careers in the structure. This allows the communities surrounding ESH’s live and online projects to take advantage of a diversity. of opportunities, as the company generates local employment and spending opportunities for subcontractors and suppliers, while also volunteering and offering charitable donations to the relevant network groups.
Esh’s social pricing commitments in the region have evolved in line with major housing and civil engineering contracts in recent years. From breakthroughs on Fir View Gardens and Pemberton Road in Sheffield and Castleford respectively, to active travel projects transporting infrastructure between Broom Road. and Wellgate, Sheffield Road and Maltby Bus Corridor in Rotherham, the visibility of Esh in South Yorkshire has also increased.
Charitable efforts, investment in employees, and CSR activities have not been classified as social value, but they have been there. Since 2012, RFP needs have gradually brought a growing drive for profit and Esh has expanded its social value team to meet demand. Megan is supported by buy-in from Esh’s forward-thinking assignment groups and senior team.
The 25-year-old local from Pontefract said:
“There has been a monumental shift in mindset about social pricing over the last 5 to 10 years and we are seeing consumers join our journey. Most of ESH’s existing projects in the region involve the improvement of infrastructure and the public realm and the structuring of new affordable housing schemes, and we are able to offer a specific and socially tailored technique in partnership with our respective clients for each project.
Earlier this month, Esh announced its collaboration with Skills Investor with Skills Street on its new interactive learning center at Gulliver’s Valley theme park. The site is expected to welcome 16,000 students each year, while activities will be available to the general public and network groups. and recreational visitors. And there’s a lot more to come, according to Megan.
She:
“As allocation groups become more familiar with terminologies similar to the social values and relevant impacts of the network, the buy-in from local authorities, professional organisations and educational establishments has enabled Esh to maximise its knowledge for others in the region.
“The weighting of social value in RFPs is on an upward trajectory and this is where visitor education and acceptance is needed. Fortunately, the mobilization of local authorities, professional organizations, and educational institutions has helped Esh Construction maximize its benefit for others in the area.
“By working collaboratively, we can move forward together on the path of social values and expand a sustainable legacy at the local level. “
Leveraging the roots of its network, supporting communities and youth, and offering ambitious opportunities has been ingrained in Esh Construction’s culture since day one. Social media continues to thrive and Esh takes Yorkshire on its journey.
Find out how ESH’s Social Value team can help you in https://www. eshgroup. co. uk/constructing-local/
Esh Group is a leading organisation of structures and built environment corporations operating in the North of England and Yorkshire. Through our main trading company, Esh Construction, we supply civil engineering, advertising structures, affordable housing, renovations and retrofits to a wide diversity of staff. and public sector clients.
Led through groups of experienced professionals, we work collaboratively with our clients and the supply chain to find the ultimate artistic and cutting-edge tactics to deliver exceptional projects. We pay uncompromising attention to health, protection and quality and continuously invest in our new technologies to deliver maximum productive effects for our customers.
Committed to supporting the spaces in which we operate, Esh delivers a set of social values through our ‘Build Local’ strategy.
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