At Opencast, we believe that social impact happens when we put our resources where they make the biggest difference. For us, it’s not just about doing good work – it’s a matter of trying to encourage a higher standard for tech companies everywhere.
We want to help change the way people think about what ‘developing tech for good’ really means, ensuring that every government investment in technology leads to positive outcomes for people, communities and the planet.
Since the launch in 2020 of the government’s social value model, our biggest opportunity has been the chance to work more closely with our public sector clients to define what positive change looks like. While there’s still work to be done to maximise the benefits of the policy, we believe the social value model – and the increasing focus on reporting social impact – are positive steps towards making our industry more sustainable.
Opencast is a relatively small consultancy of fewer than 500 people – but we have big impact goals. In 2024 we were listed by the Sunday Times as one of the 100 fastest-growing businesses in the UK. With this growth, we’ve also crucially committed to doubling down on social impact. This effort was validated externally last year, when we became a B Corp.
We’re proud of this approach. It makes us stand out and it shows in our public sector engagements and wider social impact initiatives. Our people take the time to understand the communities we’re working with – their strengths, challenges and needs.
This helps us create solutions that make a real difference and help us grow as more aware, more empathetic, and kinder people. It’s a two-way street. Here’s an example of our work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
In parallel with our public sector client work, we’re using a human-centred approach to open up wider collaborations through pro bono, low bono and skills-based volunteering initiatives.
These initiatives allow us to deepen our relationships with broader community stakeholders – such as local authorities, non-profits, purpose-driven SMEs, funders, tech for good networks, schools and further education organisations. One good example of this in action is a recent pro bono project with social impact investor The Fore.
The beauty of doing social value in this way is that all these spaces are interconnected. They each help us make sense of the bigger picture and act in a systemic way.
We must carefully choose where to pool our resources, ensuring that we’re working on projects that align with our purpose. Social value isn’t about quick wins – it’s about long-term action, and we’re committed to that.
There’s been a growing focus on employment and skills in social value discussions, which is great news. Tech companies have a real opportunity to help upskill people and create pathways for sustainable careers. This is something we’re passionate about, especially given the increasing demand for digital skills in nearly every sector.
There haven’t been as many questions around NetZero and climate change in recent tenders. We see this as an opportunity to bring these important issues back into the conversation and propose projects that address climate challenges.
As we continue to grow, we’re excited to be part of these important conversations and share our insights on how the tech sector can contribute to a more sustainable and impactful future.
This post was originally published by techUK as part of its 2025 Social Value Week content.
The past year has seen Opencast discovering new ways to deliver positive social impact by deepening our connections with non-profit organisations. So...
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