Delivering our
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE REPORT
01 Foreword from Group CEO Roy Williams
Welcome to our 2024/25 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. The success of this past year has been a testament to our unwavering determination to build a better future, not just for our customers and colleagues, but for the communities we proudly serve.
We believe in leading the way, and our unique group model is the driving force behind our approach to social value. We understand that while significant strides have been made, the journey towards a more sustainable future continues, filled with its own set of challenges. Yet, with every obstacle, we see an opportunity to innovate, grow, and to ensure that every voice within our diverse communities is not just heard, but valued.
In 2024/25 we invested a substantial £29.6 million in maintaining and improving our properties, ensuring they are not only high-quality and affordable but also fit for the future. This includes embracing renewable technologies like solar panels and air-source heat pumps, alongside a fabric-first approach to building – truly setting new standards for sustainable living.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, we are committed to creating lasting legacies in our communities, generating over £81M in social value across the Group.
From supporting Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in their ambitious mission to raise £3.5 million for a new home, to championing Inclusion Plus FC, Merseyside’s first LGBTQ+ women’s football team, and delivering our Pathway into Construction initiative, we are actively building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Furthermore, we are immensely proud of our Supported Internship programme, which showcases our successful collaborative relationship with Liverpool City Council. The programme actively breaks down barriers to employment for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), earning us the Best Partnership Working Award for 2024.
We continue to actively procure from likeminded organisations and strategically source local services, wherever possible, to minimise our carbon footprint, thereby strengthening both our environmental commitment and the local economy.
This report reflects our collective efforts and achievements, made possible by the powerful synergy of our Group.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership on this vital journey.
Roy Williams, Group CEO
02 Group Overview
We are home to a unique end-to-end social housing sector solution and an innovative Group model.
We achieve our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives by reinvesting profits directly into communities, a commitment that empowers us to make a profound impact. Reinvestment supports our mission and also drives our approach to ESG principles.
We ethically own, manage, and maintain more than 14,000 homes, with this number continually rising through our ambitious development and regeneration programme. As a Group, we accelerate the provision of much-needed, high-quality homes, expanding access to affordable and quality housing for individuals and families.
Our commercial companies don’t just generate profit; they create social impact through local employment, training, educational commitments, and charitable giving, which are all strategically integrated to maximise benefits for the communities where we operate.
Furthermore, we actively support the wider housing sector through a range of award-winning services, generating further reinvestment, whilst delivering a robust supply chain solution which mitigates risk and achieves maximum social impact.
Collaboratively we strive to build a better future for our colleagues, customers, and communities. Our integrated model, driven by our commitment to social value, environmental objectives, and robust governance, is truly what enables us to lead the way and create lasting, positive change.
How
We
Measure Up 03
Creating Opportunities Changing Lives
OVER 790 TALENTED COLLEAGUES OUR REGISTERED PROVIDERS CREATED OVER £26M IN SOCIAL VALUE
83 NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CREATED
62 INTERNAL PROMOTIONS SECURED SUPPORTED 39 TRADITIONAL APPRENTICES ACROSS THE GROUP SUPPORTED 55 NON-TRADITIONAL APPRENTICES ACROSS THE GROUP
HOSTED 75 HEALTH AND WELLBEING EVENTS FOR COLLEAGUES
INVESTED 34.5M INTO BUILDING 269 NEW HOMES
82.12% OF ONE VISION HOUSING CUSTOMERS WERE SATISFIED WITH OUR REPAIRS SERVICE
89.9% OF PINE COURT HOUSING ASSOCIATION CUSTOMERS WERE SATISFIED WITH OUR REPAIRS SERVICE INVESTED £29.6M IN MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING OUR HOMES
Our Commercials Achieved
AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OVER £23.6K WITH PRACTICES SHAPED BY OUR NET ZERO CARBON COMMITMENT
A CHARITABLE IMPACT OF OVER £31.3K INCLUDING VOLUNTEERING, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND THE DONATION OF LABOUR AND SERVICES
AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OVER £38M ESTABLISHED THROUGH OUR LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN AND WORKFORCE
THIS COLLABORATIVE IMPACT HAS CREATED OVER £55.8M IN SOCIAL VALUE OVERALL, SUPPORTING OUR VISION OF A BETTER FUTURE
Our Net-Zero Carbon Commitment
SOVINI PROPERTY SERVICES’ AND SOVINI CONSTRUCTION RECYCLED/DIVERTED 100% OF WASTE FROM LANDFILL
TOGETHER WE REDUCED OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT BY 71.49% IN COMPARISON WITH OUR BASE-YEAR DATA
AS A GROUP WE RECYCLED OVER 17 TONNES OF OFFICE WASTE, OF WHICH 100% WAS RECYCLED/ DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL A SOCIAL IMPACT OF OVER £17.7M INCLUDING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
INCORPORATED ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND PRACTICES DURING ALL NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE LATEST MORRIS MEADOWS
ALL GROUP PARTNERS ARE REGISTERED TO ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
04 Environmental
Sustainable housing is not just a goal for us, it’s fundamental to the wellbeing of our customers and the communities we proudly serve. Our Registered Providers of Social Housing – Pine Court Housing Association and One Vision Housing – manage over 14,000 homes, giving us significant opportunities to make a positive impact.
We remain committed to upholding the highest sustainability standards, a commitment that is woven into every aspect of our operations, from how we build and maintain our homes, to the support our customers and colleagues receive in adopting an environmentally conscious approach to life.
Our Net-Zero Carbon Commitment
All Group partners are ISO 14001 Environmental Management System registered.
A key driver in our journey towards net-zero carbon is how we process the waste produced throughout our unique end-to-end supply chain. Our in-house waste management service
delivered by Sovini Waste Solutions, plays an important role, ensuring 100% of our waste is diverted from landfill. This is reported and transparently shared with our customers through our detailed waste management reports.
A Sustainable Approach to Housing
Housing is at the heart of what we do, and we work to provide high-quality, affordable homes that are built and maintained with sustainability in mind. Our ambitious development framework will see One Vision Housing, in partnership with Sovini Construction, deliver 1,000 new homes over the next five years. Furthermore, every new development will have set social value objectives which will be reported and monitored, to ensure we continue our responsible approach to the delivery of new homes.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our homes are built with a fabricfirst approach, embracing renewable technologies to ensure they’re fit for the future. This means they’ll be equipped with everything from electric vehicle charging points and solar panels, to air-source heat pumps and LED lighting. By using sustainable products, we actively reduce our carbon footprint whilst supporting affordability for our customers.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise of 17 global objectives, established by the United Nations. They aim to achieve peace, prosperity and a sustainable planet.
Why do we adopt Sustainable Development Goals?
We are dedicated to creating a better future for our communities, and for the world as a whole, and are proud to actively contribute to 10 of the objectives outlined by the United Nations. These include no poverty, good health and wellbeing, decent work and economic growth.
By addressing these critical global challenges, we work to create an equitable and sustainable future for all.
Procuring a More Sustainable Tomorrow
A robust procurement strategy ensures that we actively procure services from like-minded organisations that demonstrate a commitment to reducing their environmental impact.
Our dedicated Procurement team work with our approved suppliers and subcontractors to encourage sustainable practices that support our Net-Zero Carbon Commitment. Where possible, we source local services and products and work with SMEs to improve the local economy. Throughout 2024/25, we minimised our carbon footprint, with almost two-thirds of our external spend within the North West.
In addition, we always aim to procure products and services from suppliers who support our approach to environmental and social commitments. Examples include:
Ashwood Lightfoot:
• Implemented a tree planting initiative to boost biodiversity and Co2 reduction
• Reduce Co2 emissions through vehicle optimisation
Aaron & Partners LLP:
• Achieve complete diversion of waste from landfill through recycling and reuse policy for plastic, paper, card and food waste
• Any non-recyclable waste is shredded and converted into refuse derived fuel, which is then transported to an energy from waste facility to generate steam to power a turbine
Bytes:
• Commits to reinvesting 1% of net profits to social value initiatives
• Regularly donate funding or IT equipment to charitable causes, schools and other organisations
• Use a specialist 100% renewable energy provider for their Head Office, drastically reducing their carbon emissions
Maintaining Excellence
We are committed to providing highquality, affordable homes, and ensure they are maintained to the highest standard. Throughout the year, we invested £29.6M in maintaining and improving our homes.
Through the installation of external wall insulation, new electric heating and ventilation systems and the replacement of windows and doors, we aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. This not only supports our customers in reducing
A Lasting Impression
To encourage our colleagues to adopt an environmentally friendly approach to life, both inside and outside of work, we use a variety of communication tools. We continue to convey important and key environmental messages, such as the importance of turning off computers, considering whether documents need to be printed, and much more.
Additionally, our dedicated employee app OurSpace provides a wealth of advice and guidance on how to live sustainably, supporting colleagues to combat rising energy costs whilst reducing their carbon footprint.
their energy bills, but also ensures our homes are fit for the future.
In addition, we increased and improved the green spaces throughout our communities, creating vibrant and inviting areas for our customers to enjoy. These directly contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats for local wildlife, whilst improving air quality, encouraging physical activity and social engagement and supporting the wellbeing of those living in our communities.
Our health and wellbeing programme provided initiatives throughout 2024/25 that not only prioritised employee wellbeing but assisted them in combating the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. These include fully funded social events for colleagues and their families, a comprehensive corporate discount scheme and more.
05 Social
Our commitment to social value runs deep throughout our organisation. With an innovative approach to social involvement, we aim to boost the wellbeing of our customers and communities, generate economic growth and create opportunities.
Across the Group, we have dedicated Social Value Champions who work collaboratively to steer the direction of our social value activities and maximise our impact.
Our Customers
Developing Our Communities
Our Community Development Fund is available for voluntary and community groups that require support to deliver projects or services to benefit customers within our communities.
The fund continued for 2024/25, encouraging community projects that contribute to:
• Vulnerable persons
• Health and wellbeing
• Support for local veterans
• Improved community safety
• Community environmental initiatives
By actively listening to our communities needs and shaping our Customer Voice Strategy, we directly implemented social change and created positive impact throughout 2024/25.
In 2024/25 The Sovini Group generated over £81M* in social value, directly contributing to our vision of a better future.
*We use the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT) social value toolkit to measure as well as independently verifying and certifying the social value impacts for our Registered Providers. We also use the TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) methodology to measure the social value impacts for our commercial companies.
Customer Voice
Our Registered Providers of Social Housing actively engage with dedicated customer groups, allowing residents to shape, influence, and improve the services they receive.
By actively seeking the views of our diverse customers we analysed their feedback to inform operational and service decisions.
In 2024/25 One Vision Housing customers made an impact by:
• Providing lived-experience feedback to improve services through the Service Review Group
• Improved the quality of our homes through the High-Rise Living and Building Safety Group
• Investigating Communal Cleaning and Independent Living services through the Tenant Scrutiny Team, leading to service improvements and greater accountability
• Visiting properties to assess the quality of communal cleaning firsthand through the Tenant Inspectors Group,
ensuring standards are met and identifying areas for improvement
• Supporting with the development and maintenance of key strategies and policies through our Policy and Strategy Review Group, including our Customer Voice Strategy, Independent Living Policy, High Rise Strategy and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
• Introducing Complaints Champions, who ensure we deliver the best service to our customers by auditing our complaints procedure
Delivering Christmas Cheer in the Community
Sovini’s Big Community Christmas saw over 8,000 people receive crucial support throughout the festive season, with community partners collaborating to deliver a range of community-focused initiatives.
From the delivery of Christmas support packages to 10 community partners, each containing a mixture of food, care and household items, to the sponsorship of 15+ community events
that support the most vulnerable people within our communities, we ensured everyone felt the spirit of Christmas.
In addition, the Group supported Cash for Kid’s Mission Christmas thanks to its colleague fundraiser, raising £1,700 with all proceeds supporting the charities mission of ensuring each child wakes up to a present under their tree at Christmas.
Customer Training and Skills Hub
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that they can thrive. We demonstrate this commitment by offering comprehensive resources, training, and career opportunities designed to support their growth. Whether they’re seeking to enhance existing skills, acquire new ones or explore alternative career paths, we are there to support them with:
• CV writing and interview preparation: Our dedicated People and Learning team support our customers with expert advice and guidance on building a strong CV, as well as answering common interview questions with confidence.
Our Communities
Securing the future of Zoe’s Place
In 2024, the Group partnered with Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice to support them in raising £3.5M for their new, purpose-built home.
A group of colleagues took on the Cycle India Challenge, which saw them cycle 450km across Indian landscapes, as they committed to raising £38.5K for the life-changing charity.
To kickstart the fundraising, The Sovini Group Charity Golf Day was hosted in aid of Zoe’s Place in April 2024. This brought together 80 golfers from across the housing and commercial sectors to raise an incredible £19,000, which was donated to the worthwhile cause.
• Work experience: We offer meaningful work experience opportunities, allowing customers to explore potential career paths and gain valuable hands-on experience, in areas such as: housing management, customer experience, trade and support services.
• Apprenticeships: We encourage our customers and local communities to apply for our apprenticeship opportunities, allowing them to earn and learn through a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.
• External: We signpost our customers to external educational resources and initiatives, designed to fuel their personal development journey.
In addition, the Group hosted ‘An Evening in India’ at our agile co-working space, The Hub, raising a further £324.93 for the challenge. The evening was filled with mesmerising Bollywood performances, tantalising Indian cuisine and a thought-provoking quiz, combining the best of employee engagement with our commitment to social value.
Following completion of the gruelling challenge, we proudly raised £44.6K for the charity, ensuring they can continue to deliver their lifesaving work to the children and babies that need them most.
Building an Inclusive Future with our Customer Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum
In 2024 we invited our customers to join us on our mission to create an equitable and inclusive environment for all with the launch of our customer Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) forum.
As part of this forum, our customers share their unique perspectives and lived
experiences to help shape and improve our services. It provides a safe and inclusive space where open dialogue is encouraged, allowing customers to highlight barriers, celebrate diversity and influence positive chance to promote fair access.
Celebrating Our Involved Customers
Our Involved Customers work tirelessly to shape the services we deliver, ensuring we consistently meet expected standards.
To recognise their valuable contributions, we hosted a Christmas party at the Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre.
Attended by 60 involved customers, the event was filled with festive cheer, delicious food and plenty of laughter.
The occasion was a testament to the power of community and the positive impact our Involved Customers have. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate their dedication and commitment to building stronger communities and look forward to continuing to celebrate their contributions throughout the coming year.
Sponsoring Brunswick Youth Community Centre
August 2024 marked the launch of the Brunswick Youth and Community Centre’s sports hall, of which the Group are proud sponsors.
The sponsorship marked a significant investment in our communities, providing a hub for young people to take part in sporting activities, youth programmes and community events. This supports their personal growth and
development, whilst fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.
Furthermore, our sponsorship extended to the community centre’s new eco-friendly community vehicle. This will be used to transport a variety of individuals to community events, including under-privileged children, ensuring ‘the Brunny’ is accessible to all, no matter their background.
Sponsoring Diversity with Inclusion FC
Throughout 2024, Group partner Sovini Construction continued their support for Inclusion Plus FC, Merseyside’s first LGBTQ+ women’s football team.
This sponsorship supports the team as they compete in the region’s first
female only league, LCFA Sefton, allowing them to continue their mission of supporting positive mental health and promoting inclusion across the local LGBTQ+ community, creating a safe space both on and off the pitch.
Honouring the Legacy of Mill Spring Court
IIn 2024, the Mayor of Sefton, June Burns, and local veterans joined us for a plaque unveiling, honouring Mill Spring Court’s rich history.
The now Merseyside retirement housing scheme was once Park Street Barracks, home to The Kings Regiment, The Royal Tank Regiment and The Royal Corps of Transport between 1913 and 1982.
At the outbreak of World War I, the Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) were responsible for transport whilst the Royal Army Service
Corps (RASC) managed military supplies. The RASC & RCT Association remain active with more than 50 branches across the UK.
As Gold Covenant Award holders, we’re committed to supporting those who make huge sacrifices on our behalf, ensuring they receive the recognition and support they deserve. This plaque serves as a testament to this commitment, and our ongoing partnership with organisations that support our veterans.
Offering a Pathway into Construction
Our annual ‘Pathway into Construction’ initiative made its return, with the aim of encouraging young women to consider a career in construction, a traditionally male-dominated industry.
This innovative programme saw us welcome our 35th student, offering female higher education students meaningful work placements and providing them with the opportunity to learn more about the careers available in the construction industry.
With support from Group partners Sovini Trade Supplies, Sovini Property Services, Sovini Construction and Teal Scaffold, the week-long work experience programme culminated in an interview skills and CV writing workshop with our dedicated People and Learning team, supporting the participants to secure future employment.
Celebrating the Year of the Snake
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Group partner Pine Court Housing Association hosted an event at Pagoda Arts Centre for residents and local partners to enjoy.
With traditional Chinese cuisine and entertainment provided by The Hung Gar Kung Fu School, who treated attendees to a traditional lion dance, along with
traditional Chinese dances and songs performed by members of Pagoda Arts, the event was a fantastic success.
The event was proudly made possible by Pine Court Housing Association’s Community Development Fund, which helps to combat social isolation, celebrate cultures and unite communities.
Patron Status by Elevate Education Business Partnership
We were delighted to once again be awarded Patron Status by Elevate Education Business Partnership (EBP) for our work in delivering quality careers support to young people across the Liverpool City Region.
Patron Status is awarded to organisations that play a valuable role in raising aspirations, providing career guidance and preparing the workforce of the future. Elevate EBP connects young people with educational establishments, businesses and professionals, nurturing
their talents whilst improving social mobility, supporting the local economy and creating a region of opportunity.
Our ongoing partnership with Elevate EBP is crucial to our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives. By working collaboratively, we’re able to inspire and educate the younger generation, offering vital resources like meaningful work experience, career guidance, and mock-interview support.
Cultivating Potential through our Supported Internship Programme
In England, only 4.8% of adults with a learning disability or autism go on to secure paid employment, a figure reduced to 4.1% in the North West. (base-uk.org) The Supported Internship programme is designed to break down barriers, supporting individuals with special educational needs and disabilities to secure long-term employment.
In collaboration with Liverpool City Council, the programme aims to provide young people with SEND the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace, whilst improving their confidence and developing essential skills.
We were delighted to be presented with the Best Partnership Working Award 2024 by Liverpool City Council for the programme, honouring our collaborative approach to partnering with local education providers across the Liverpool City Region.
“I never thought I would enjoy work. I’m looking forward to my future in the workplace. I am a lot happier with my life and feel more confident and independent.”
- Ryan, Supported Intern
Taking a Swing for Social Value
Our annual charity Golf Day brought together colleagues, customers and suppliers at Childwall Golf Club to compete in the sold-out event, which was hosted by local comedian Willie Millar.
The guests and sponsors in attendance collectively raised £19,000 for Zoe’s Place Cycle India Challenge, supporting their mission of raising £3.5M to secure a new, long-term home for the baby hospice.
During the event, players had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes kindly donated by local companies and were also able to bid on auction items, including Peter Kay tickets and Liverpool Football Club signed shirts, to raise valuable funds.
“It’s our aspiration to raise enough capital to ensure that our new hospice can facilitate our current services, providing the home away from home environment that our babies and families deserve.
“We are so grateful for the generous donations and we look forward to more partnership opportunities with The Sovini Group in future.” – Gina Earnshaw, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice
Our People
Developing our People
Our people are at the heart of our business, and we understand that by fostering their growth and development, we empower them to stay engaged and happy in their roles.
Our dedicated People and Learning team support colleagues to achieve their career goals. They do this by providing opportunities for personal and career growth, from role-related training to opportunities for professional qualifications.
Employee Health and Wellbeing
Employee wellbeing is at the heart of a thriving and successful workplace, and that’s why we’re committed to investing in it. A proactive approach to wellbeing has been proven to boost productivity, improve retention, and enhance workplace culture.
Our comprehensive health and wellbeing programme provides employees with a wealth of initiatives designed to support their financial, social, physical and mental wellbeing.
Our online learning platform offers a comprehensive range of training, from essential communication skills to jobspecific competencies. This encourages our colleagues to drive their development at their own pace, enabling them to discover new skills and boost their growth.
We’re proud to report 62 internal promotions in 2024/25, showcasing our commitment to colleague growth as they discover their purpose.
In 2024/25, we held 75 events for colleagues to enjoy, from fitness programmes and health checks to social events and holistic therapies.
Our health and wellbeing ambassador programme is key in driving our wellbeing strategy, with colleagues from across the Group actively collaborating to continually strengthen our employee offer.
Investing in the Workforce of Tomorrow
We’re passionate about providing meaningful employment opportunities and proudly supported 39 traditional apprentices across the Group in a diverse range of roles, with some even scooping prestigious sector awards.
From housing management and business administration to trades, apprenticeships
directly contribute to our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives.
Our quality programme is delivered through a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning and is designed to support ambitious and forward-thinking individuals into lasting careers.
An Inclusive, Equal and Diverse Workplace
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is unwavering, and we strive to embed inclusive practices into the fabric of our organisation. We promote a positive culture that values and celebrates diversity, accepting and including people regardless of their personal characteristics or circumstances.
Our work environment is a welcoming, friendly place that supports all colleagues to thrive. Here is an overview of how we maintain our inclusive culture:
• Our policies and practices promote fairness and equal opportunities, supporting diverse groups of people working together
• We have established Equality, Diversity and Inclusion forums, including an EDI Steering Group, Diversity Leaders forum, Neurodiversity Network and Race Equality Project Group
• We have signed up to the Navajo LGBTQI+ Charter Mark and LGBTQ+ Housing Promise, demonstrating our commitment to LGBTQ+ customer equality and support
• We have formed a team of trained Mental Health Champions and Mental Health First Aiders, known as our ‘Mental Health Mates’
• We are an accredited Mindful Employer, recognising our commitment to better mental health at work
• We are proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer
• We regularly show support for national campaigns, including Women in Construction Week, Black History Month and Pride Month
• Our Empower campaign raises awareness and provides support on female related topics, including menopause awareness
• We deliver bespoke diversity training courses to colleagues to increase awareness
• We are Gold Covenant accredited, demonstrating our commitment to supporting veterans
• Colleagues across the organisation are encouraged to display their chosen pronouns on emails and in our employee app
Celebrating Neurodiversity
Our first-ever ‘Diversi-tea’ party was a vibrant celebration of diversity. This event provided an opportunity to bring colleagues together to celebrate diversity and inclusion and to gain greater insight into the experiences of disabled and neurodivergent individuals.
We were privileged to host experts from the ADHD Foundation, who shared invaluable insights into living with ADHD, the diagnosis process, and how workplaces can offer effective reasonable adjustments. Additionally, an interactive sight loss experience highlighted the challenges of living with various eye conditions, from diabetic retinopathy to cataracts.
Katie Joynson, from Group partner One Vision Housing, hosted an introductory sign language lesson. Colleagues explored a variety of sensory fidgets, providing insight into how these tools can support focus and productivity, particularly for those with ADHD.
The event fostered connection and celebration, and a deeper understanding of the barriers disabled people can encounter.
Celebrating Pride at The Hub
Pride Month is a vibrant and inclusive month-long celebration that honours the LGBTQIA+ community, their history, achievements and ongoing struggle for equality.
We proudly celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community at our co-working space with a wealth of festivities including:
• An ice cream van serving colleagues Pride-themed sweet treats at The Hub, which was decorated with balloons, props and a selfie photo frame.
• We encouraged colleagues to wear Pride colours and decorate their workspaces before sharing their creations on our employee app, OurSpace.
• We hosted a Pride-themed drawing competition for our Sovini Juniors, letting them unleash their creativity with rainbows and colours in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
• And finally, we prepared a Pride-themed quiz for colleagues, with the winner taking home a giant retro sweet bouquet!
Sovini Speaks
We recognise the power of digital platforms, such as podcasts, to engage in meaningful conversations about vital topics in an accessible and impactful way. These platforms allow us to create a space for open dialogue, reduce stigma, and provide accessible information and support to both our employees and the wider community.
We launched our very first podcast episode, “Sovini Speaks: Mental Health,” during Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, with 119 colleagues tuning in. This podcast is designed to create a
Leading the Way on Gender Pay
In the UK, for every pound a male earns, a female only earns 87 pence. This figure highlights the importance of bridging the Gender Pay Gap in the UK to ensure a more equal tomorrow.
In April 2024, the gap was reported to stand at 7.0% in favour of men, serving as a poignant reminder that gender equality remains a nationwide issue.
We believe in a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their gender. We strive to embed inclusivity into the fabric of our organisation, fostering a positive workplace culture
The Real Living Wage
As a Real Living Wage employer, we recognise the impact of the rising cost of living. As such, we ensure our salaries provide a secure and sustainable income for our employees.
The Real Living Wage is higher than the Government-selected National Living Wage
culture of understanding and support, ensuring everyone feels empowered to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek assistance when needed.
“The podcast offered a truly accessible discussion on a deeply relevant issue. Mental health affects us all — personally, through our families and friendships, and professionally, within our communities. Breaking down barriers is crucial. Well done to all involved in creating in the podcast.” – The Sovini Group colleague
where each voice is valued and heard.
Our actions speak louder than words, and we are proud to continue to lead the way on gender pay gap reporting, with our gender pay analysis revealing a mean gender pay gap of -2.75% in favour of women.
For us, this figure is more than just numbers; it reflects our dedication to creating a workplace where all can thrive. We empower each individual to reach their full potential and will continue to champion opportunities for women across the Group in 2025.
and is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay based on the actual cost of living.
Our commitment to employee wellbeing remains unwavering, and providing fair pay is just one of the many ways in which we support our colleagues.
Hearing Our Colleagues’ Voice
We believe that our colleagues’ voices are instrumental in shaping our workplace culture, services and employee offering. To ensure they are heard, we created a wide range of internal forums, including:
• Race Equality Project: Inviting those with lived experiences to improve our approach to race equality, supporting us to create a more inclusive workplace for all
• Diversity Leaders: A dedicated team of colleagues who champion diversity and inclusion
Investors in People Platinum
For the sixth consecutive year, we’re proud to have retained Investors in People Platinum status for ‘We Invest in People.’
This accolade highlights our commitment to continuous improvement, especially when it comes to employee engagement, communication, work practices and organisational culture.
In addition, Investors in People recognised our dedication to employee wellbeing, awarding us Gold for ‘We Invest in Wellbeing.’ This recognition demonstrates our unwavering commitment to setting higher standards in people
• Good Vibe Tribe: A group of colleagues from across the Group whose suggestions shape our employee wellbeing offer
• Neurodiversity Network: A safe and inclusive space for colleagues who are neurodivergent, are on the pathway to diagnosis or support someone who is
management practices and consistently putting our colleagues first.
“You continue to demonstrate a leading-edge approach by demonstrating exemplar practices in areas such as talent development, recognition & reward, evaluation, and social responsibility.”
– Investors in People judges
Best Purpose-Driven People Community Award
We were proudly awarded the Best Purpose Driven People Community Award at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our commitment to creating a positive workplace full of purpose.
The Investors in People awards bring together like-minded organisations from across the globe to recognise the very best
in HR and People practices, so we were incredibly proud to receive this accolade.
This award recognised the impact of the Discover Your Purpose campaign, which highlights the contributions of our talented colleagues as they improve the lives of our customers and communities in pursuit of a better future.
07 Governance
Governance encompasses the comprehensive internal system of practices, controls and procedures adopted by the Group to measure our ESG impact. It facilitates strategic decision-making, ensuring legal compliance and that the expectations of external stakeholders are met, including the Regulator of Social Housing.
Effective governance is vital in underpinning the work we do. It empowers the Group to effectively manage risks and make evidence-based decisions. We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of strong governance, actively upholding environmental and social accountability and transparency across all levels of our organisation.
Our robust governance structure utilises leadership to instil a culture of transparency and accountability. By embedding core values of social responsibility into every business decision, we grow and develop both responsibly and sustainably.
The Regulator
The Group is proud to have maintained V1 and G1 regulatory gradings following the annual assessment by the Regulator of Social Housing.
G1 signifies the highest standard for governance, affirming our strong adherence to the Regulator’s standards. Meanwhile, V1 is the highest rating for financial viability, highlighting our robust capacity to navigate through diverse financial challenges.
Boards and Trustees
The Sovini Group Board is made up of both internal partners within the Group and independent board members. Its key responsibilities are to define and achieve the Group’s vision, mission and strategic objectives. This collective leadership secures the Group’s long-term viability and success.
Colin Marshall (Chair)
“This truly shows the power of our integrated supply chain. It has increased our financial capacity, letting us effectively manage a wide range of adverse scenarios to continue to provide quality, affordable homes and improved services for our customers and communities.”
– Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing
The Group Risk and Audit Committee play a pivotal role in providing robust scrutiny, audit and risk monitoring of the Board’s decisions to ensure transparency and assurance.
Guided by an independent Chair, the Committee ensures that the Group upholds the highest standards of governance, accountability and risk management, enhancing stakeholder confidence and securing our long-term sustainability.
Mike Ponting
Andy Armstrong
Jim Currie
Tracey Liggett Dr Roy Williams
Mike Parkin - Chair of Risk and Audit Committee (RAC)
Leading Housing Forums
Our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives isn’t limited to our customers, communities, and colleagues. We’re committed to elevating the social housing sector as a whole, making impactful changes that support those who need it most.
That’s why we facilitate regular forums with fellow Registered Providers of Social Housing, focusing on crucial topics, such as:
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Learning and development
• Health and wellbeing
Through quarterly meetings, we lead the way by sharing best practices and engaging in significant discussions. Together, we explore the most effective strategies for the sector to collaboratively work towards a better future.
Sustainability Reporting Standards
Sustainability Reporting Standards offer crucial guidelines for businesses to disclose their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. The standards are designed to enhance transparency, effectively manage risks and strengthen stakeholder trust.
Our Registered Providers of Social Housing utilise these criteria in their reporting to the Risk and Audit Committee and respective Boards. Additionally, our Group partners meet comparable sustainability standards, such as modern slavery compliance, Real Living Wage and social value deliverables.
Combatting Modern Slavery
We conduct comprehensive pre-employment checks to ensure all prospective employees have the right to work in the UK. This process includes validating the identity of every applicant using photographic identification. This step is crucial, not only for confirming their legal right to work in the UK, but also as a vital safeguard against modern slavery, human trafficking and illegal employment.
If we were to encounter an incident where the papers were not in order, or there is a suspicion that an applicant may be subject to modern slavery or trafficking arrangements, we will immediately alert the relevant
enforcement authorities agencies whilst offering support to the individuals concerned.
Any supplier or sub-contractor that wishes to work with us is also subject to a comprehensive assessment process prior to their appointment, ensuring their operations are in-line with our ethical business standards.
In addition, we employ a number of ‘Anti-Modern Slavery Champions’ to highlight the dangers and signs of modern slavery, ensuring we remain compliant and strive for continuous improvement across the business in our response to modern slavery and trafficking issues.
The information inside this report was correct at time of publication. For the most up-to-date information, please visit Sovini.co.uk