Why Social Value Is More Than Just a Box-Ticking Exercise in Northern Ireland
- Blacksheep Consulting
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
In recent years, social value has become a central part of public procurement in Northern Ireland. For many organisations, however, it is still misunderstood as a bureaucratic hurdle rather than a genuine opportunity. Far from being a simple “tick-box” requirement, social value has the power to transform communities, create stronger businesses, and build long-term impact.
Bill Atkinson; owner and founder of Black Sheep Consulting works closely with businesses to help them unlock the true potential of social value. With years of experience guiding companies across multiple sectors, he shows how social value in Northern Ireland is not just about meeting compliance, but about creating meaningful change while also improving commercial success.
Understanding the Purpose of Social Value
The introduction of social value into procurement frameworks across Great Britain and Northern Ireland has shifted the way tenders are evaluated. Buyers are no longer looking solely at cost; they also want to know how suppliers will contribute to wider social, economic, and environmental goals.
Social value in Northern Ireland, for example, includes commitments such as:
Supporting local employment and development skills.
Partnering with local community organisations and charities.
Reducing environmental impact through sustainable practices.
Encouraging inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
These outcomes are not incidental. They directly support the development of resilient communities and align business growth with social progress. Bill Atkinson helps organisations see beyond the paperwork, ensuring they understand both the requirements and the opportunities that social value offers.
Why Businesses Need to Move Beyond the Tick-Box Mentality
When businesses treat social value as a tick-box exercise, they often fall into the trap of making vague, generic promises in their tender submissions. This not only weakens their chances of winning contracts but also misses the wider benefits that social value can deliver.
Bill Atkinson’s approach at Black Sheep Consulting is different. He helps businesses design tailored, realistic, and measurable initiatives that are aligned with their core values and operational strengths. This makes commitments credible to buyers and achievable in practice.
For instance, rather than offering a broad pledge to “support the local community,” a construction firm might commit to providing apprenticeships for young people in Northern Ireland or sourcing materials from local suppliers. These types of specific, tangible actions demonstrate a clear understanding of social value Northern Ireland and stand out to evaluators.
The Benefits Go Both Ways
When implemented well, social value creates a win–win scenario. Businesses gain a competitive edge in tenders, strengthen their reputation and build stronger relationships with customers and stakeholders. At the same time, communities benefit from new opportunities, improved services, and sustainable development.
Bill Atkinson often highlights that embedding social value is not just about short-term compliance across Northern Ireland. It helps businesses future-proof their strategies, as public bodies continue to place increasing emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices. In Northern Ireland, where procurement plays a critical role in shaping local economies, the importance of delivering genuine value cannot be overstated.
How Black Sheep Consulting Supports Businesses with their Social Value Mission across Northern Ireland
At Black Sheep Consulting, Bill Atkinson works with both small enterprises and larger corporations to integrate social value into their operations and tender submissions. His expertise covers:
Analysing tender requirements and aligning them with business strengths.
Designing measurable and credible social value commitments.
Demonstrating impact through clear reporting and evidence.
Embedding long-term strategies that go beyond individual contracts.
By working with Bill, businesses avoid the pitfalls of superficial promises and instead build strategies that genuinely contribute to the well-being of society while enhancing commercial performance.
To Sum Up….
Social value in Northern Ireland is much more than a contractual obligation—it is a powerful tool for businesses to drive meaningful change while growing sustainably. Those who approach it with a genuine commitment will find themselves better placed to win tenders, enhance their reputation, and create a lasting legacy in their communities.
Bill Atkinson and Black Sheep Consulting are dedicated to helping organisations achieve exactly that. By moving beyond the tick-box mentality and embracing authentic, measurable actions, businesses can ensure that social value Northern Ireland works not just for procurement requirements, but for people, communities, and long-term success.
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Why Social Value Is More Than Just a Box-Ticking Exercise in Northern Ireland | Blacksheep Consulting 2025
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