By: Tara Louise Overend – Account Manager, Copper Consultancy

Young Professionals in Social Value kicked off our first panel event with the ‘Next Generation Social Value – Rebel Ideas’ talk at last month’s National Social Value Conference. We were joined by our founder and Responsible Procurement Manager at GLA, Olivia Sutcliffe; Associate Social Value Consultant at CHY Consultancy, Holly Onstenk and Social Value Lead at the Government of Jersey, Sophie Roffe, both also members of the YPSV Steering Group; Rudi Nichols, Social Value Manager at Clarion Housing Group and Ali Sajedi, Senior Social Value Manager at London Borough of Waltham Forest.

All our panellists brought a difference perspective to the discussion whether that be Sophie’s angle, coming from outside the UK in a crown dependency, Ali highlighting the importance of internal collaboration as an organisation, Rudi and Olivia reflecting on the pathways to social value and lack of awareness and integration into education or Holly’s thoughts on representation at professional events from younger, more junior colleagues. The general consensus is that we bring innovative ideas to the table, we should be able to share these learning experiences and move forward the social value movement.

And, what makes you a next gen rebel?

The fact that we are looking to change the status quo I suppose and that we are not afraid to challenge an opinion, push the boundary or be unfiltered. It was never our intention to be rebels but, maybe it’s stuck #youngrebels.

Thank you to all our members and supporters in Young Professionals in Social Value and, if you haven’t already, please sign up for free to stay tuned for info on exciting bits to come – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdo9cFv-Kq-APDT4XrmmoOvxkNxLf0jfI8WkqMnBJ3OuTQDA/viewform?pli=1