As Senior Social Impact Manager at our Regent's Place campus in London, I see first-hand how the property industry can drive social value.

My journey from teaching English literature to working in social sustainability has shown the immense potential of the property industry in fostering positive community impact.

At British Land, our social impact strategy focuses on three key pillars: education, employment, and affordable space.

In my role, I deliver this strategy at Regent's Place, centred on aspirational employment. This involves connecting with local schools, charities, and social enterprises to address their challenges and collaborating with our corporate customers to align their social responsibility goals with local needs.

My career path was far from conventional. As a young person, I never saw myself in the property industry, but an opportunity to manage a careers programme introduced me to the business world. While connecting students with local businesses, I inadvertently built my own network and discovered a passion for social responsibility. One such connection was Santander, one of our customers at Regent’s Place, who offered me a position that has since led me to my current role at British Land.

One of our flagship programmes at Regent’s Place is Bright Lights, supporting unemployed locals with employability workshops and work experience. At the end of the two-week programme, participants are guaranteed job interviews, often leading to employment with one of our service partners. Since 2019, nearly 90 Camden residents have completed the program, with over 65 securing sustainable employment. Of these, 27 found jobs on-site at Regent’s Place.

This programme transforms lives, builds lasting confidence and skills, and boosts wellbeing and prospects. It is integral to our community, rewarding and underscores the value of social impact and diverse local talent.

Another key initiative is our partnership with Impact Hub, an organisation offering affordable co-working space for local entrepreneurs. By hosting community events – such as a recent workshop for over 200 young people through our Young Readers Programme – the Hub fosters innovation and supports Regent's Place in becoming a centre for science and technology.

Social value is not a buzzword, it is embedded in our business ethos, and we recognise that our campuses cannot thrive without the communities around them. That is why we work closely with local groups to understand their needs and support them in meaningful ways.

Today, young people are particularly enthusiastic about social value, pushing boundaries and driving change. Their energy and drive are assets to businesses, and it is crucial for companies to harness this and learn from the next generation.

Environmental sustainability has long been a focus in property development, but social value is increasingly integral. Businesses are now choosing to let space at Regent’s Place because of our social impact programmes, demonstrating a growing recognition of social sustainability.

At British Land, our approach is not just about capturing social value in numbers but responding to community needs. Social value as a concept can be subjective and challenging to measure, but it remains essential. We aim to make a positive contribution to the places where we operate, providing access to skills, training, jobs, and spaces that enhance wellbeing. Although this impact is often slow and steady, seeing our sites become vibrant, inclusive spaces reassures me we are on the right path.

The property industry has a vital role to play in driving social change. Diverse voices and perspectives are essential in shaping our cities and by collaborating with residents, community partners, and customers, we are creating a more inclusive and sustainable future. Property is not just about buildings; it is about people and the communities we create.