We are a built environment consultancy that believes great projects should leave a positive mark long after we have delivered our services.
That’s why we’re pleased to confirm we’ve achieved Level 2 of the Social Value Management Certificate: Implement, an accreditation awarded by Social Value International.
This milestone shows that we’ve moved beyond having a plan on paper. We’re now implementing systems and processes that align with the Social Value Principles, helping us measure, manage, and maximise the impact we have on the communities we work in.
From plan to practice
We achieved Level 1 in April 2025, demonstrating a structured approach to social value, backed by senior leadership. Level 2 builds on that foundation. It’s about proving that our commitments translate into consistent, evidence-based action across our projects.
Over the past year, we’ve embedded social value more deeply into how we work: from early-stage project planning through to delivery. We’ve strengthened how we collect and evidence data, so we can track the difference we’re making with more clarity and consistency.
Our certification, put into practice
Take our recent work with Liverpool City Council on the Princes SEN Primary School project, where, as part of our social value commitments, we delivered a ‘Day in the Life’ careers session at St Francis Xavier School. This gave 30 Year 10 students the chance to spend a day with colleagues from five different disciplines; quantity surveying, project management, architecture, structural engineering and social value. Alongside presentations and Q&A, students took part in hands-on activities, including designing a scaled community space and building spaghetti towers, to get a feel for the skills our industry relies on.
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96%
of students said the session helped them understand and progress in our industry
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19%
rise in the number interested in a STEM or built environment career
This kind of activity reflects a wider principle behind the certificate: targeting engagement towards the stakeholders who stand to benefit most. Working with a SEN school meant reaching young people who often have fewer routes into industry careers – exactly the kind of considered, needs-led stakeholder planning that Level 2 requires us to evidence, and it’s this evidenced, on-the-ground activity that underpins our accreditation, showing that our commitment to social value translates into real, measurable outcomes for the communities we work in.
We are delighted to congratulate Ridge on achieving Level 2 of the Social Value Management Certificate (SVMC). This achievement demonstrates Ridge’s thorough understanding of the requirements of the accreditation and, importantly, their commitment to putting social value into practice across their organisation.”
Eimear Davis
Member Success Director, ISV
”At Level 2, organisations and programmes must demonstrate a clear commitment to managing social value by embedding the Social Value Principles into organisational practice. This includes showing how the Principles are being implemented in day-to-day ways of working, supported by evidence and data that has been collected to understand and demonstrate social value.
Achieving this level is an important milestone and reflects the work Ridge has undertaken to develop a structured and evidence-based approach to social value management. Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving this accreditation.”
What this means for our clients
For our clients, Level 2 offers further assurance that social value isn’t an afterthought at Ridge, it’s built into how we operate. Whether we’re designing schools, shaping masterplans or delivering infrastructure, we take a rigorous, transparent approach to leaving a lasting, positive legacy.
What’s next
Level 2 is an important step, but not the final one. We’re now working towards Level 3, which will demonstrate that social value sits at the heart of our decision-making, not just embedded in our processes, but driving continuous improvement across the business.
We’ll continue to work closely with our clients and communities, turning good intentions into measurable, lasting impact.
Let’s talk
Laura Perry is Social Value Implementation Lead at Ridge. Contact her at lauraperry@ridge.co.uk.
