Social impact

Creating transformational impact through meaningful outcomes

A group of people in front of coloured sheds

At Robertson, social impact is about delivering meaningful outcomes that enhance lives, strengthen communities and support sustainable economic growth.

Working collaboratively with customers, stakeholders and community partners, we identify local needs and deliver targeted initiatives that create a lasting legacy. Our approach focuses on the issues that matter most to the people and places where we work, helping ensure the benefits of our projects are felt long after completion.

6565 lives enhanced 

since 2020

£1.17bn social value

generated since 2020

£299.9m local spend

within 40 miles of projects (2024-25)

Our approach

Our social impact activities are guided by eight key themes, reflecting some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing communities across the UK. These themes help us direct our efforts where they can make the greatest difference, while supporting the priorities of our customers and communities.

 

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social impact graphic with 8 themes in a circle

Aligned to community wealth building principles

Our approach is closely aligned with the principles of Community Wealth Building and supports the wider ambitions of existing and emerging legislation and policy frameworks across the UK, and in Scotland.

By focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than simply measuring activity, we help create opportunities, improve wellbeing, strengthen local economies and deliver positive social value where it is needed most.

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Robertson joins Homelessness Alliance

Eight key themes

Supporting young people into employment or education is essential to creating stronger, more resilient communities. 

We create opportunities within our business, across our supply chain and through our wider networks, providing access to skills development, work-related learning and career pathways. 

By helping young people realise their potential, regardless of academic attainment, and promoting opportunities across the full range of careers within the built environment, we help build confidence, improve employability and support positive long-term outcomes for individuals and local economies.

 

Long-term unemployment can have significant impacts on individuals, families and communities. We support initiatives that help people develop skills, gain workplace experience and access meaningful employment opportunities, with a focus on creating sustainable outcomes rather than short-term interventions. By helping people overcome barriers to work and progress into long-term employment, we contribute to stronger local economies and improved life chances.

Community wealth building is about ensuring investment creates lasting benefits for local people, businesses and communities.

We work with customers and stakeholders to identify local needs and maximise opportunities for local people, businesses and communities. By supporting employment, skills development, local supply chains and inclusive economic growth, we help ensure that investment creates meaningful outcomes that remain within the community and contribute to lasting prosperity.

Homelessness is a complex issue that affects individuals, families and communities. We support a needs-led approach at a regional level, complemented by national programmes, focusing on prevention, early intervention and sustainable outcomes. Through opportunities for skills development, employment and community support, we help improve life chances, strengthen resilience and contribute to lasting positive change for those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

 

Good mental and physical health is fundamental to thriving communities. We support regional and national initiatives that improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation and help people access the support they need. 

By promoting healthier lifestyles, encouraging early intervention and creating opportunities for people to feel connected and supported, we help deliver positive long-term outcomes for individuals, families and communities. 

We are also proud to support the Lighthouse Club, helping improve the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families.

 

 

Addressing anti-social behaviour helps create safer communities and improves quality of life for local people. We support initiatives that promote community safety, build public confidence and encourage positive engagement. By working with partners like Crimestoppers, to tackle the causes and impacts of anti-social behaviour, we help create more resilient communities and better places to live, work and learn.

 

Responding to the climate emergency is essential to creating sustainable and resilient communities. We support initiatives that develop green skills, promote environmental awareness and help people prepare for the opportunities presented by the transition to a low-carbon economy. Through education, engagement and skills development, we help create lasting environmental and social benefits for current and future generations. 

Creating fair and inclusive opportunities is essential to building stronger communities. We support programmes that help people overcome barriers to employment, education and skills development, with a focus on those who may be underrepresented or disadvantaged. By widening participation, improving access to opportunities and supporting social mobility, we help create more inclusive outcomes for individuals, communities and local economies.

Our annual social impact

Defining and demonstrating exactly how we are delivering on our Responsible Business targets, to assure a sustainable future for our people, our partners and our planet. Download our ESG report to find out how we're having a positive impact in the communities where we work.

A new Skills Academy has opened at the site of Clackmannanshire Council’s Wellbeing Hub & Lochies School, giving local people practical insight into construction careers and helping to remove barriers to employment.
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Developing our supply chain

Our supply chain plays a vital role in helping us deliver meaningful social impact in the communities where we work. That's why we are committed to supporting our partners to develop their capabilities, strengthen their businesses and maximise the positive outcomes they create.

Through enhanced training, development opportunities, access to industry networks and tailored support, we help our suppliers build their social impact expertise and contribute more effectively to shared customer and community objectives.

We are developing a formal Supply Chain Social Impact Pathway that will provide a structured approach to supplier development, helping organisations strengthen their capabilities and maximise their social impact. By working collaboratively with our supply chain, we can deliver meaningful outcomes at scale, creating lasting benefits for customers, communities and local economies.

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Robertson staff

Considerate Constructors

Being a responsible neighbour is an important part of how we deliver projects. That's why all Robertson projects lasting more than 12 weeks are registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), the UK's leading standards body for improving the image of construction and promoting best practice beyond statutory requirements.

The scheme is built around three core commitments: 

  • respecting the community, 
  • caring for the environment and 
  • valuing the workforce. 

By embedding these principles into our projects, we work to minimise disruption, engage positively with local communities and create safe, inclusive and sustainable working environments.

Our projects are independently assessed against the CCS Code of Considerate Practice, helping us continually improve performance and deliver the high standards expected by our customers and stakeholders. This commitment has been recognised through consistent success at the CCS National Site Awards, where Robertson received 19 awards in 2026 and 23 awards in 2025, including Gold, Silver and Bronze accolades.

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CCS National Site Awards 2026 -Bradford Endoscopy Unit

The Ideal Candidate

Through our flagship employability programme, we are supporting young people into employment and education, helping them achieve a SCQF Level 3 & 4 Certificate in Employability & Skills. This builds confidence, develops workplace skills and gives a recognised qualifications that supports positive destinations in employment, education and training.

 

Wallace High pupils with certificates, following social value activity
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Responsible business overview

Return to the overview of our Responsible Business approach, encompassing environmental, social and economic sustainability.