Social Value and Social Impact

Social Impact at BAM - Leading the movement so we can deliver better together

Our purpose is to create sustainable environments that enhance people's lives and this it is reflected in our values, ethos, and daily actions. We work with our clients and our communities to listen and co-create programmes and opportunities focussed on people and that build community wealth.

Our Social Value strategy has three key themes – Social Mobility, Social Inclusion and the Foundational Economy. These themes all align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

Social Mobility

The built environment sector is in the middle of a digital revolution and there are significant skills gaps. This presents an opportunity for people and organisations and means we must help people adapt so they can benefit from the new opportunities that are emerging.

At BAM our approach is to help each person access what is right for them. This person-centred growth model focuses on high quality, inclusive, and accessible pathways to opportunity.

Social Inclusion

Embracing inclusion is key to BAM’s success and the foundation to fulfilling our future ambitions. At BAM, inclusion is more than just offering people a seat at the table. We are actively working to eliminate the barriers that exist that prevent people from fulfilling their potential.

We promote equality and equity by engaging and inspiring our colleagues, clients, partners and supply chain to find solutions and creating safe spaces for underrepresented individuals and groups.

Foundational Economy

Investment in infrastructure is central to the governments #buildbackbetter plan to generate local economic growth and prosperity. 40% of the UK workforce is employed in the 'foundational economy' which provides the essential goods and services for everyday life including food production and processing, utilities, retail and distribution, health, education, housing and welfare.

BAM believes we have an obligation to leverage our influence and business activities to direct wealth back into the local economy and into the hands of local people.

In the last two years, we have provided over £200,000,000 of local economic value* back into the communities where our projects have been delivered. We are at the forefront of progressive procurement, investing in, and supporting the development and growth of the local supply chain and social businesses.

*Verified by Social Value Portal

Measuring our impact

Social Impact at BAM is central to our ways of thinking and working. We want to understand how our work impacts the lives that it touches, and how we can continually improve to play our part in delivering sustainable development and creating a fair and just society where everyone, regardless of life circumstance, has access and opportunity to thrive.

We are members of the Social Value Portal and B4SI Business for Societal Impact (formerly known as LBG – London Benchmarking Group) and forecast, track and calculate the economic, environmental and social value that derives from our construction activities.

BAM is committed to delivering a minimum of 15% Social Value, added across all our projects and leading the charge on the development of lifecycle impact data that will support clients to understand the long term, real-life impact of their programmes on people and planet.