ISVCON 2026 brought together social value professionals from across the UK for a day of learning, collaboration and honest conversation about where our sector is today – and where it needs to go next.
From inspiring keynote speeches to thought-provoking panel discussions, one message came through loud and clear: social value is maturing as a profession, but there is still much work to do to ensure it is trusted, consistent and centred on people.
Setting the direction for the Institute
Opening the conference, the Institute for Social Value set out five strategic themes that will shape our work over the next one to five years:
- Government influence on social value measurement and commissioning
- Organisational governance for social value
- Professionalisation of the social value sector
- High-integrity social value reporting standards
- Trusted and transparent social value technology
These themes will form the foundation of the Institute’s strategy, guiding the work of our incoming CEO, Board and Working Groups as we continue to support the profession and influence the future of social value.
The power of lived experience
The standout moment of the day came from keynote speaker Danny Donnelly, whose honest and deeply personal story resonated with delegates across every sector.
Danny reminded us that while frameworks, metrics and data all have an important role to play, social value is ultimately about people. His lived experience brought authenticity and perspective that no statistic ever could, challenging us all to think beyond measurement and focus on the lives our work seeks to improve.
His keynote was consistently highlighted in delegate feedback as one of the most inspiring and memorable parts of the conference, reinforcing the importance of keeping lived experience at the heart of social value.
Honest conversations about the future
Throughout the day, panel discussions explored some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the profession.
Delegates discussed how organisations can strengthen governance and leadership around social value, ensuring responsibility sits not only with practitioners but also with boards and senior decision-makers.
The professionalisation panel highlighted the growing need for recognised standards, career pathways and shared competencies that build confidence across the sector.
Conversations around reporting focused on moving beyond outputs and financial proxies towards transparent, meaningful reporting that reflects genuine impact.
The discussion on AI and technology recognised the potential for digital tools to improve efficiency and insight, while also emphasising that technology must support – not replace – professional judgement, ethics and lived experience.
Across every session, there was a shared desire to move beyond theory and towards practical implementation. Delegates called for more real-world examples, case studies and opportunities to learn from organisations already embedding social value successfully. These conversations reinforced that while progress has been made, the profession must continue to strengthen governance, reporting standards, capability and collaboration if social value is to realise its full potential.
Launching the updated Social Value Management Certificate
ISVCON 2026 also marked the launch of the updated Social Value Management Certificate (SVMC) Level 1 – Commit. The revised programme has been enhanced following valuable feedback from those who have already completed Level 1, insights from our members, and the expertise of the Institute’s Design and Innovation Working Group.
The refreshed programme includes additional practical resources, clearer guidance and a stronger focus on supporting organisations on their social value journey. It reflects the Institute’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that our learning programmes remain relevant, practical and shaped by the needs of the profession.
As the social value landscape continues to evolve, the updated SVMC provides organisations and practitioners with an even stronger foundation for embedding social value into strategy, decision-making and everyday practice.
Reflections from the closing remarks
The closing reflections reinforced several themes that emerged across the day. Standards and frameworks were highlighted as the essential starting point for building a trusted profession, echoing Neil MacDonald's opening message. Luke Richardson's perspective also reminded delegates that social value is increasingly embedded within major private companies and that this is part of a wider international movement led by Social Value International.
The discussions returned repeatedly to the importance of putting people affected by decisions at the centre of social value. Meaningful stakeholder engagement is about more than surveys – it is about giving people influence, recognising their contribution and ensuring they feel seen. Delegates also heard that genuine engagement delivers real value and better outcomes.
The closing remarks also reflected on the balance between the moral imperative for social value and the need to demonstrate measurable outcomes. While data, technical capability and reporting remain essential, stories and lived experience are equally important in helping organisations understand and communicate real impact.
A recurring message throughout the conference was that the profession is still at the beginning of its journey. Delegates and speakers called for clearer career pathways, competency frameworks and professional standards so practitioners can understand how to develop and organisations can recruit and support social value professionals with confidence.
Particular recognition was given to the challenge set by the Young Professionals in Social Value network, led by Olivia Sutcliffe, to embed competency frameworks that support career progression. The Institute committed to taking this challenge forward by working with organisations that can help accelerate the development of professional standards, career pathways and competency frameworks, recognising that progress has often been limited by reliance on voluntary effort and constrained resources.
Listening and learning
The delegate survey reflected the positive atmosphere throughout the day.
- 70% of delegates were satisfied or very satisfied with the conference.
- 84% found the conference theme relevant or very relevant to their work.
- Networking was consistently identified as one of the most valuable aspects of the event.
Delegates praised the quality of the keynote, the opportunity to connect with peers and the openness of the discussions. They also provided constructive feedback, asking for more practical examples, stronger representation of lived experience and VCSE organisations, and greater focus on implementation rather than aspiration.
We welcome that feedback. ISVCON exists to serve the profession, and listening to our community is central to how we continue to improve.
Where we go from here
The conversations at ISVCON 2026 do not end with the conference.
Over the coming months, the Institute will continue to build its work around the five strategic themes announced at the conference, developing practical resources, guidance and opportunities for collaboration that respond directly to the priorities identified by delegates.
The launch of the updated SVMC Level 1 – Commit is just one example of how we’re turning feedback into action. Alongside our strategic priorities, the Institute will continue to work with members, practitioners and partners to strengthen professional standards, improve reporting practice, support better governance and help organisations embrace emerging technologies responsibly.
Our focus remains the same: building a profession that is trusted, transparent and centred on creating meaningful social impact.
Thank you
ISVCON 2026 would not have been possible without the support of so many people.
Our sincere thanks go to Neil MacDonald from Thrive and Luke Richardson from Amentum, whose sponsorship helped make the conference possible and whose opening remarks set the tone for the day.
We are grateful to Excel London for generously providing the venue and to the technical team whose seamless support ensured the event ran smoothly.
Thank you to our Board and Working Groups, particularly Jeremy and Penny for joining us on the day, and to the entire ISV team whose dedication brought the conference together.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended.
You are the people turning social value from numbers on a page into meaningful change in communities across the UK. Together, we are shaping the future of trusted social value, and we look forward to continuing that journey with you.
