About us

Working for your rights to a level playing field.

Let’s drive business for the better.

As a registered Community Interest Company, we exist to create a fairer society and drive income towards organisations that operate in the interests of all. By working with us, you are raising the overall business standards in the UK to become more ethical, sustainable and community focused.

Our purpose is to cultivate and recognise the highest standards in values-led business.

Social Value Quality Mark CIC acts as stewards for the highest standards in social value. We don’t just celebrate achievement, we work with clients to cultivate a values-led approach embedded at every level of the organisation.

By recognising best practice and showcasing the benefits – from business growth to loyalty and retention – we inspire others to seek accreditation, too.

Richard Dickins

Richard Dickins

Founder

Richard is a dynamic and charismatic leader and specialist in values-based development and impact and value reporting within the UK. Richard has 25 years’ experience within the Public, Private and Third Sectors at strategic and operational levels, managing budgets of £120m+.

Natalie Wadley

Natalie Wadley

Director

Natalie Wadley is a director of Social Value Quality Mark CIC and one of the senior team members at its sister company, Social Value Business. During her early career, she spent 10 years working for National Star, an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Charity that delivers award-winning services for young people with complex needs.

Jane Strand

Jane Strand

Director

Jane is a passionate and driven leader who champions all things social impact.

Jane has 14 years’ experience in the Private and Third sector at an operational, managerial and strategic level. Jane has a huge interest in value-based development and was solely responsible for creating and demonstrating the value of a £14m Birmingham-based care and support charity.

Oversight Panel

The Oversight Panel plays a crucial role in helping us to maintain and uphold the highest levels of transparency and trust. Our Panel ensures a degree of separation, ensuring we can defend the outcome of our audits and show that they are fair, legitimate and transparent. Our panel members represent a diverse range of skills, backgrounds and interests – but all are united in having a passion for, and detailed experience of, social value and compliance.

Lara Da Rocha Faria

Lara Da Rocha Faria

Lara Da Rocha Faria is the Group Senior Sustainability and Social Value Manager for Redrow Plc, one of the UK’s leading house builders. Lara worked for Kier Group and brings 15 years of experience working at senior manager level within the construction industry.

Nivene Powell

Nivene Powell

Nivene Powell is the former Head of Communities for the property developer EcoWorld London. Nivene has more than 30 years’ experience working on community engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion, policy development and providing social value through development.

Paul Jenkins

Paul Jenkins

Paul has over 25 years’ experience of working within disadvantaged communities and supporting young people across the U.K. within the public and private sector. Paul is currently Managing Director of Direct 2U Training, a consultancy delivering health and safety training to companies across Wales.

Robert Redmond

Robert Redmond

Robert is a Chartered Quality Engineer with 35 years’ experience in the Assurance of Defence Equipment. A proficient IRCA Lead Auditor across multiple engineering domains, he delivers successful outcomes for defence customers and suppliers.

Steve Mullin

Steve Mullin

Steve has spent over 30 years specialising in the auditing and compliance field, beginning his auditing career in the late 90’s as one of the first internal ISO 9001 auditors at British Gas.

Becky Jones

Becky Jones

Becky has over 20 years experience working in the public and private sectors, in the areas of strategy, transformation, sustainability, equality and diversity and social value.