Wates Group is one of the first construction companies to develop close links with social enterprises as an integral part of its supply chain and has pledged to work with them on its projects in the UK. However, if companies like Wates are to step change the way in which they work with social enterprises, the Group believes that both businesses and Government need to galvanise quickly to deliver beneficial change.
Wates has identified some key ways in which it believes social enterprises and companies could be brought closer together to deliver change through:
- The improvement and promotion of systems such as the Social Enterprise Mark
- Reviewing procurement and work packages to create smaller contracts,
- Identifying supply chain gaps and how social enterprises can deliver support in these areas,
- The role they can play in making the Big Society concept real.
“Social Enterprises provide a unique way of making a positive economic and social impact in the communities where we work, while delivering high quality products and services to our customers” commented Paul Drechsler, Wates Chairman and Chief Executive. “Wates believes there is a great opportunity for businesses to make a lasting difference and promote economic growth by engaging with SEs. And, if more organisations are encouraged to work effectively with SEs across a whole range of services, we believe that they will make an even greater contribution to turning the Big Society concept into a reality.”
If you can supply to Wates, let us know by filling in our survey.