What is Social Value?
Social value is the network of positive social, economic and environmental impacts created from our activities. It is the long-term improvement of the areas we live and work in and the communities we serve.
At CRL we recognise that, now more than ever, businesses have a crucial role to play in shaping the future of our society. We embrace this responsibility and take pride in contributing to our communities, whether that is by working with social enterprises in our supply chain, helping local people get into employment, protecting surrounding environments, or through a variety of other ways.
"What stands out about CRL is their willingness to truly own their social value journey. Their leadership team has taken responsibility for building understanding and capability from within the business, creating a strong foundation for long-term impact."
- Anna Koukoullis, Social Impact Coach and Consultant, Social Value Company.
As a large company, we recognise that alongside our own activities, we have a role to play in helping our clients achieve their social value ambitions. It also means collaborating with our communities to develop longstanding relationships. By strengthening community engagement, we can understand their needs respond to the specific challenges they face.
We are members of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, an award-winning, industry-wide collaboration which offers a wide range of sustainability and social value resources and training.
We are committed to integrate social value into all aspects of our work and encourage involvement from everyone at CRL. From our sites to our offices we consider how we can maximise our positive impacts and find innovative ways to create social value and play our part in the communities we work in, as well as the wider world.
Please click the link below to view some of the Social Value Events undertaken by CRL throughout 2025.
CRL's Social Value Vision
Social value is embedded in how we work, not only because it is a contractual requirement for many clients and set out in legislation such as the UK Social Value Act (2012) and PPN 006/20, but because it is a powerful driver of long-term business success and community wellbeing.
Our vision is to deliver exceptional projects that enhance the safety, resilience, and longevity of critical infrastructure while leaving a meaningful legacy in the communities we serve. We believe every project should strengthen communities, open opportunities, and help shape fairer, more sustainable places for future generations.
None of this can be achieved in silos, in single departments, or by things being added on to existing practice/contracts as a token gesture. Rather, it comes from an understanding that effective services and business are inextricably interlinked with the health and prosperity of the people and communities in which we operate.
There is a clear challenge for us all, creating meaningful social value is complex to achieve, defining it is difficult, integrating it across services is challenging, delivering it with partners requires collaboration, and measuring it is tricky. But all achievable!
Local Business
Community Support & Engagement
Environmental Stewardship
Health & Wellbeing