YORhub keynote for International SEEDS Conference

Julie Crawford

30th September 2025

Sustainability in Public Procurement

Mike Raven, YORhub Performance & Improvement Manager, delivered a presentation on the topic of Sustainability in Public Procurement at the International SEEDS Conference in Loughborough earlier this month.

As the National Sustainability Lead for the National Association of Construction Frameworks, Mike was a keynote speaker covering the history and current global situation in terms of sustainability, the increased pressure on the UK public sector around achieving not only value for money but also adherence to procurement procedures and the inclusion of social value, and the challenges of practically incorporating sustainability within public procurement. He outlined to attendees some key areas for consideration when developing procurements in terms of what clients should be asking for and how they need to work with their supply chain.

RISE Award

The SEEDS conference also included the Research Innovation Sustainability Enterprise (RISE) Awards. These highly regarded awards seek to recognise, celebrate and showcase exemplar case studies from the Built Environment sharing emerging best practice in Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Enterprise for new and innovative products, technologies, processes, projects and schemes. Celebrating diversity and the unique skills, knowledge and perspectives that different groups bring to the field is at the heart of the RISE awards; bringing together academic, industry, third sector and community groups in a unique celebration of all those who are helping to change the way we build and live in the future.

YORhub was successful in winning the Social Value category in recognition of its cutting-edge social value offer, incorporating employment & skills, sustainability, supply chain engagement, and local economic regeneration. The judges were particularly impressed with YORhub’s investment into research in areas such as carbon reduction and MMC, and current work in the area of mental health in construction.