In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of sustainable facilities management and regeneration, and cutting-edge energy and digital services.

Partnering with local authorities, housing associations, and government bodies, the business’ places & communities teams specialise in property refurbishment, energy efficiency upgrades and estate regeneration, with a strong emphasis on creating sustainable, low-carbon communities. Equans manages both long-term frameworks and standalone projects nationwide, typically ranging from £1 million to over £100 million in value. With a focus on social value, carbon reduction, and placemaking, the business supports clients in improving housing quality, tackling fuel poverty, and achieving decarbonisation goals in the built environment.

At Equans, we are committed to creating sustainable, inclusive communities and driving social value through everything we do. Embarking on the BSF Champion assessment was a natural step in reinforcing this commitment. We saw the process as an opportunity to benchmark our current practices, challenge ourselves to do better, and engage with a community of like-minded organisations focused on building social value into the fabric of business operations.

One of the greatest values of the BSF Champion process was the structured reflection it encouraged across our teams. It allowed us to step back and critically evaluate our social value strategy – highlighting both strengths and areas for development. The framework provided a clear, robust lens through which we could assess impact, governance, culture, and delivery.

Through this process, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to embed social value more consistently across projects and regions. It has helped us to strengthen internal ownership, develop clearer reporting mechanisms, and further align our activities with our clients’ evolving priorities – especially around place-making, skills development, and net zero.

Looking ahead, we are committed to using the learning from this process to inform continuous improvement. We are embedding the BSF principles into our social value delivery plans and using the insights to shape staff training, procurement approaches, and community engagement strategies. Being part of the BSF Champion network also ensures we stay connected to best practice and drive positive change across the sector.