The event took place at the new iAero aerospace collaboration centre in Somerset, which is located next to Leonardo in Yeovil, the ‘Home of British Helicopters’. The assembled companies in cutting-edge technologies from across Leonardo’s UK supply chain represented a cross-section of the best in British engineering and manufacturing. 

The forum generated an open discussion on the role companies can play in working collaboratively on social value initiatives to enrich local communities, skills, and the wider industry. 

The UK Government has defined Social Value around five key themes: Equal Opportunity, Tackling Economic Inequality, Fighting Climate Change, Covid-19 Recovery, and Wellbeing. These are all areas Leonardo is already heavily exploring and involved in. Leonardo views Social Value as a core and constant consideration for its current and future activities, as it magnifies the company’s contribution to industry and society. 

The event featured talks and discussions from CBI, The 5% Club, and case studies from members of Leonardo’s UK supply chain such as Aerotron and member of Team AW149, UK Ford Aerospace. 

Jane Cumisky, Head of Sustainability at Leonardo UK, commented: “It was fantastic gathering so many different representatives from manufacturing companies across the country and hearing from prominent voices like CBI and the 5% Club on Social Value initiatives, in addition to the work being undertaken by our supply chain, such as Ford Aerospace and Aerotron. Both of these companies are prominent players in their respective communities. 

As a business, Leonardo is committed to working together with industry and our people on Social Value. It is already at the heart of what we do, whether that’s green engineering and solutions or ensuring an innovative next-generation workforce as we look to the future of our business and the world of tomorrow.”