Reflections on ISVCON2025: Fairer Systems, Stronger Voices.

Isabelle Parasram Updated on Oct 21, 2025

Last week’s conference in Birmingham was a defining moment for the Institute for Social Value - and for me personally, as my final conference as CEO. It was both a celebration of what we’ve achieved together and a glimpse into ISV’s next chapter. Here's a look at what that actually means 'on the ground'.

Building Something Lasting

Since establishing the Institute in 2024 as an independent, well-governed, and inclusive sector convenor, we’ve launched:

CPD-accredited training
In-person networking events
The ISV Council and Working Groups
A monthly Charity Sector Forum
Practitioner-led webinars
A new website with member and recruitment directories
New membership packages

Before I step down, we’ll also launch:

Maturity assessments
A new Navigating the Social Value Landscape course
A new software accreditation process
An online learning platform
A jobs board and volunteer directory

Post-nominals for individuals and a reinvented Social Value Management Certificate as an industry standard kitemark for organisations will follow shortly after.

Fairer Systems, Stronger Voices

So, what of this, our first conference after officially launching The Institute at last year's conference? Across two packed days, 160+ delegates and 50+ speakers shared ideas, challenged assumptions, and celebrated progress. Here’s what some of them had to say:

Abbie Brown: “The question at the start of every project shouldn’t be what we’re going to deliver, but what we’re going to change.”

See Abbie’s post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/abbiembrown_fairersystems-strongervoices-activity-7382323936321019905-MOVZ/

Gemma Copp: “Social value isn’t just a policy shift - it’s a leadership shift. Architecture is not the work of one person, but of a people, reflecting their spirit and history.”

See Gemma’s post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gemmacopp_isvcon2025-isvcon2025-socialvalue-activity-7383842142571438080-q2Z1/

Andy Gawin Warby: “Deep, candid insight from my panel colleagues on social value in integrated care, and a huge thank you to the ISV team for a thought-provoking event.

See Andy’s post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andy-gawin-warby-frsa-a244015_carolinerogers-courtneydean-activity-7382407628821311488-x7g4/

A Collective Effort

Of course, this conference wouldn’t have been possible without:

Our Sponsors: Mott MacDonald, BAM UK & Ireland, GetZero, and Connelly Ltd
All our speakers, whose insight made the event inspiring and thought-provoking
The Eventurous team and venue staff
Our Board, for their entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering support
Our volunteers, the ISV Council and Working Groups
My deputy, Eimear Davis
And of course, our incredible staff team, who pulled out all the stops to deliver our best conference ever!

As Selin Yigitbasi-Ducker said: “It takes a village to deliver a conference like this.”

And what a village it is!

Saying Goodbye (but not farewell)

This conference was my first “Goodbye,” but not my last.

On 18 October, I led a 10K Farewell Walk in Manchester in raising funds for Sport4Life UK and for CoppaFeel! in support of those impacted by cancer:

Donate via Sport4Life: https://sport4life.enthuse.com/pf/isabelle-parasram

Donate via CoppaFeel!: https://www.justgiving.com/page/penny-anderson-2

On 20 November, I’ll chair my final ISV event, Redefining Leadership, an online panel exploring career pivots and leading with purpose with:

Dr Mark Williamson, CEO, Action for Happiness: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwilliamson/?originalSubdomain=uk

Emma Cherniavsky, CEO, UNHRC UK:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-cherniavsky-7050b47/?originalSubdomain=uktest

Veronique Bourbeau, Founder & CEO, Run4Humanity:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/run4humanity/?originalSubdomain=au

See all upcoming ISV events here

Looking Ahead

As I hand over to my successor, I’m filled with pride and optimism. ISV has never been about one person; it was created by members, partners, and supporters who believed we could build something stronger, fairer, and lasting.

I hope to continue contributing in some capacity and look forward to seeing ISV grow, evolve, and flourish under our dedicated Board and new leadership team.

Never forget that we’ve created something extraordinary - together.