Is Achieving Greater Social Value Through Procurement a Political Vanity Project?

Labour’s agenda includes a clear industrial strategy, a commitment to work in partnership with business and address key issues like the Skills Gap. Within this wider commitment, Procurement is a strategic lever to support economic growth. The intention to include stretching social, environmental and labour clauses in the tendering and awarding of contracts has also been made very clear.

In this session, Nick will explore the specific implications of this policy and outline the areas of preparation needed.

Nick Forbes CBE, Senior Advisor, Strategy International:

Nick served as the Labour Leader of Newcastle City Council from 2011 to 2022, bringing more than £1.5bn of investment into the city. Nick was the (annually elected) Leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group for 6 years, and in this role was invited by Sir Keir Starmer to attend Shadow Cabinet meetings, representing the increasingly powerful voice of local and regional government within the Labour Party.

Nick served for 12 years on the National Policy Forum and for 6 years on the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party. Nick has been Chair of Core Cities UK (establishing the influential Climate Change Finance Investment Commission) and Vice Chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority. He was awarded a CBE in 2019 for services to Local Government.

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