Social Value: The New Competitive Differentiator in Irish Procurement
In Partnership with the Irish Embassy
The role of procurement is expanding beyond cost, quality, and compliance, with social value now recognised as a key driver of supplier choice and sustainable partnership success across Ireland. As expectations from stakeholders continue to rise, organisations are being challenged to ensure their purchasing decisions generate measurable economic, social, and environmental impact, that last for communities, employees, and society.
From supporting local communities and creating economic opportunities to advancing sustainability, diversity and inclusion, social value is becoming an increasingly important consideration in how organisations select suppliers and build long-term partnerships.
Joining us will be leading figures from Irish Rugby, the panel discussion facilitated by
Justin Fitzpatrick (formerly of Ulster, London Irish, Castres and Ireland) and Liam Mooney (formerly of Exeter Chiefs, London Irish, Ireland A and the Barbarians)
On the panel will be:
Declan Kidney, Grand Slam-winning Ireland Head Coach and two-time European Cup winner with Munster
Suzanne Hickey from Uisce Éireann, as the Supply Chain Sustainability & Contracts Support Manager, she is responsible for driving sustainability across the Uisce Eireann supplier network
Jeanne Copeland, CEO and Founder of Greenville Procurement Partners, a leading provider of procurement consultancy and training in Ireland.
Katie Ferrier, Regional Director at Achilles.
They will explore how organisations can move beyond viewing social value as a compliance obligation and instead harness it as a driver of strategic success. Drawing on insights from business, sport, and community engagement, the panel will discuss how purpose led organisations are strengthening their reputation, building deeper stakeholder trust, and creating sustainable competitive advantage through the delivery of meaningful and measurable social impact.
What we’ll explore
- The changing role of social value in procurement – understanding its growing importance within Irish procurement.
- What buyers are looking for – how organisations are considering community impact, sustainability, diversity and inclusion when evaluating suppliers.
- Lessons from elite sport – what business can learn from leadership, teamwork, purpose and creating positive societal impact.
- Putting social value into practice – practical approaches to embedding social value within procurement and supplier strategies.
- Measuring impact – how organisations can demonstrate and communicate meaningful social outcomes to customers, stakeholders and communities.
- From purpose to competitive advantage – why authentic social value can help organisations build trust, strengthen relationships and differentiate themselves.