The Future of Social Value Is Built Into Recruitment
By James Hughes, Managing Director, Sphere Solutions Ltd
The construction industry has always been about building for the future. Yet today, one of our biggest challenges isn’t the projects themselves – it’s ensuring we have the people, skills and opportunities to deliver them.
At the same time, social value has become an increasingly important part of every project. Clients rightly expect their supply chain to contribute more than just labour. They want partners who can leave a positive legacy in the communities where they work.
For me, these aren’t two separate challenges.
They’re one opportunity.
After more than 21 years in construction recruitment, I’ve seen first-hand the difference the right recruitment partner can make to a project. Filling vacancies is only one part of the job. Creating opportunities, developing people and supporting communities should be part of that responsibility too.
That’s the thinking behind Full Circle Futures.
Rather than treating social value as something that sits alongside recruitment, we’ve built a framework that integrates it into the way we deliver. Every project creates opportunities—not just to place people into work, but to strengthen local workforces, support individuals who face barriers to employment and invest back into the communities connected to those projects.
One of the things that makes Full Circle Futures different is our Social Value Impact Fund.
Where Sphere Solutions operates on an agreed site exclusivity basis, 5% of the margin generated from designated social value placements is ring-fenced into a dedicated fund. That value is then reinvested into initiatives that support workforce development, training, employability, wellbeing and local community projects.
Importantly, this isn’t about funding recruitment or offering discounts. It’s about taking the value generated through successful project delivery and reinvesting it where it can have the greatest long-term impact.
For our clients, this creates a practical and accountable way of delivering social value. It supports workforce continuity, strengthens local skills pipelines and provides measurable outcomes that align with project objectives and recognised reporting frameworks.
For individuals, it creates genuine opportunities. Whether that’s helping someone return to work after a period away from employment, supporting apprentices into long-term careers, or working with schools, colleges and training providers to inspire the next generation, every initiative contributes to a bigger picture.
For communities, it leaves a lasting legacy beyond the completion of a project.
That’s why we chose the name Full Circle Futures.
Because the impact shouldn’t end when someone starts work. Recruitment should create a cycle of opportunity that benefits people, projects and communities alike.
We’re incredibly proud to have recently secured our first Full Circle Futures project and to begin working alongside clients who share this vision. It’s the first step in what we believe will become an important part of how social value is delivered within construction.
The industry doesn’t need more promises about social value.
It needs practical solutions that create measurable outcomes.
That’s exactly what we’re setting out to achieve.