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Centre for Sustainable Business Summer Conference 2026

Join our in-person Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) Summer Conference to explore a bold new perspective on social value and what it truly takes to create meaningful outcomes.

Date: Tuesday 7 July 2026

Times: 9.15am-4.15pm 

Place: Brett Building, 19 Abercromby Square, Liverpool L7 7BD

 

Open to: Policy makers, business leaders, procurement and sales professionals, social value advisors or bid writers involved in the commissioning or provision of goods and services that incorporate social value

Cost: free, including networking lunch

A new perspective of Social Value: Launching the COMMONS approach

What do geese, pigs, and medieval bakers have to do with social value? More than you might think.

Their unexpected connection reveals a powerful truth about how the organisational and market conditions that shape social value are influenced not just by policy, but by the behaviours, choices and moral imaginations of the people within them.

This year’s Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) Summer Conference, led by Professor Jo Meehan and Dr Clare Westcott, invites you to step beyond the familiar boundaries of organisational policy and the narrow expectations of the Social Value Act.

The day marks the formal launch of the CSB COMMONS Approach.

COMMONS (Conditions, Organisations, and Markets for Meaningful Outcomes and Navigating Social Value) is an original, research-informed approach that moves beyond focusing on how to deliver social value, instead examining the deeper conditions that make it possible.

Grounded in CSB’s peer-reviewed research, it challenges conventional thinking about procurement, value, organisations and markets.

This is not a passive event.

Through a series of interactive and thought-provoking sessions, you will engage directly with the ideas behind the COMMONS approach, test new perspectives for your own organisation, and explore what becomes possible when we embrace business-not-as-usual.

By blending new research with practical examples, the event will explore how bold, conscious, future-shaping actions can generate social value far beyond what is currently mandated.

If you are ready to rethink entrenched practices, challenge routines, and play a role in reshaping systems for the collective good, this event is for you.

Who should attend

This interactive event is designed for industry professionals working across organisations looking to gain fresh insights into strategic leadership in social value and explore a new, research-driven approach to creating meaningful outcomes.

It is especially suitable for policy makers, business leaders, procurement and sales professionals, social value advisors or bid writers who are involved in the commissioning or provision of goods and services that incorporate social value into their contracts.

Keynote speakers

The conference will be hosted by CSB Director, Professor Jo Meehan, followed by several keynotes by research experts and business leaders from organisations:

  • Professor Jo Meehan, Professor of Responsible Procurement, University of Liverpool Management School
  • Dr Clare Westcott, Chair of the CSB Advisory Board, University of Liverpool Management School
  • Mark Swift, CEO, Wellbeing Enterprises CiC
  • Charlene Maginnis, Head of Policy Delivery - Supply Chains and Service Officer, Government Commercial Agency
  • Andy Edgeworth, Engagement Lead (Northern England and Wales) - Social Value and ESG, Sizewell C

Important information

Catering

During the event we will provide lunch, tea, coffee and water.

We will ask if there are any dietary requirements we should be aware of on the booking form.

We have also thought about other elements to make catering as sustainable as possible:

  • No paper or plastic cups/cutlery
  • Water dispensers
  • Vegan and vegetarian options only
  • Whole fruits that will not be wasted after the event
  • Guests can take any leftover food home
  • Feel free to bring your own food container, water bottle or cup!

Accessibility

The building is fully DDA compliant and exceeds current legislative requirements to ensure it is accessible and useable by all.