Blake Morgan in Wales highlights commitment to current and future generations at leading Social Value in Business conference

Blake Morgan, the Principality Building Society, CEIC Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales (“the Commissioner”) co-produced the recent Social Value in Business Conference, which focused on the tangible impacts of social value and sustainability on Welsh communities and businesses. It heralded the launch of the Commissioner’s Toolkit for Business and involved vital discussions focused on how Welsh businesses can enhance social value through sustainable and community-driven strategies.

The conference, held at the Principality Stadium on 2 October, brought together leaders from across Wales to explore innovative ways businesses can champion social responsibility and community well-being.

Attendees gained insights on how companies can align their strategies with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (“the Act”), leveraging initiatives as strategic advantages in today’s competitive landscape.

Tony Smith, Business Development Manage at the Principality Building Society and Eve Piffaretti, a Partner at Blake Morgan and a keynote speaker at the event, opened the discussions by exploring the role of purpose-driven business. Eve emphasised Blake Morgan’s dedication to positively impacting the local communities it serves:

Eve was joined by other thought leaders and social impact advocates who shared Blake Morgan’s commitment to making a positive impact.

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner, delivered a powerful presentation on Wales’ unique Act, providing context for how Cymru Can urging businesses to integrate sustainable practices into their core operations. Participants explored Wales’ national well-being goals through table discussions and panel sessions, covering sustainable resource use, cultural promotion, and youth leadership.

One of the key takeaways from the event was the emphasis on creating opportunities for young people, a goal closely aligned with Blake Morgan’s social value initiatives.

Derek Walker (left) and Tony Smith (right) listening to Eve Piffaretti speaking at the Social Value in Business Conference.

The firm’s recent Growing Ambitions programme was spotlighted as a prime example of empowering young Welsh talent. The programme connects young housing association tenants with hands-on legal experience, mentorship, and support in developing future-ready skills, showcasing Blake Morgan’s commitment to fostering the next generation of Welsh leaders.

“We recognise that investing in young people is essential to building a sustainable future,” said Eve.

“By creating pathways for emerging talent, we’re supporting individual growth and contributing to Wales’ collective resilience. This commitment to nurturing future leaders reflects our dedication to the goals of the Act and our vision of social value in practice.”

The conference concluded with a call to action for Welsh businesses to continue supporting initiatives aligned with the Act. Emphasising collaboration, the closing remarks called for firms to work alongside community groups, educational institutions, and local governments to ensure sustainable growth and inclusivity across all sectors.

Eve Piffaretti concluded:

Following on from the successful conference, the drive to play a part in investing in the future continues with an Apprentices Networking Breakfast, which is taking place at Blake Morgan’s Cardiff office on Tuesday, 26 November. The informal networking breakfast will feature a short introductory talk from Sharon James-Evans, Principal – Cardiff and Vale College, the largest provider of apprenticeships in Wales with around 10,000 students. The aim is to give apprentices the space to network and to be empowered.