Procurement as a Strategic Lever for Social Impact with Olivia Hughes

<p>In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by <strong>Olivia Hughes</strong>, Social Value Manager at <strong>Liverpool City Council</strong>, to explore how social value has evolved from policy ambition into a daily delivery requirement within local government.</p><p>Olivia shares her journey from the private sector into public service, bringing a unique dual perspective from both supplier and client sides of procurement. She discusses how social value has shifted from being a misunderstood concept following the 2012 Social Value Act to becoming a central strategic driver across commissioning and procurement activity.</p><p>The conversation explores:</p><ul><li><p>Why procurement is one of the most powerful levers for driving tangible community impact</p></li><li><p>The balance between commercial outcomes and social value commitments</p></li><li><p>How the new Procurement Act is creating space for innovation and flexibility</p></li><li><p>The realities of measuring social value using frameworks such as TOMS</p></li><li><p>Why digital systems are only as effective as the foundations behind them</p></li><li><p>The importance of leadership buy-in and dedicated resource to embed cultural change</p></li></ul><p>Olivia also reflects on the mindset that separates suppliers who genuinely deliver social value from those who treat it as a compliance exercise, and shares practical insight into building processes that are human, proportionate and truly deliverable.</p><p>A thoughtful and energising discussion about making every public pound work harder - and ensuring procurement delivers real, measurable impact for communities.</p>