PlaceShapers and Fusion21 Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Social Value and Stronger Communities
The partnership brings together Fusion21's expertise in public procurement, social value and social investment with PlaceShapers' leadership in place-shaping, housing policy and community-led regeneration. Both member-led organisations share a commitment to supporting housing providers to create thriving places, deliver meaningful community impact and improve the lives of residents.
As part of the partnership, Fusion21 will support the delivery of the new PlaceShapers Strategic Plan through a sponsorship arrangement and a donation from the Fusion21 Foundation, helping to fund research, innovation and development projects focused on community impact and place-based change.
The organisations will also work together to raise awareness of the vital place-shaping role played by housing associations and social housing providers, while developing new opportunities to support community investment, local regeneration and long-term social value creation.
Supporting Housing Providers to Create Thriving Communities
PlaceShapers members are recognised for their commitment to creating places where people can thrive through investment in homes, communities, local economies and neighbourhood regeneration. Through this new partnership, PlaceShapers and Fusion21 will collaborate to showcase best practice, share expertise and support housing providers in delivering lasting social and economic benefits.
Catherine Ryder, Chief Executive of PlaceShapers, said: "We are proud to represent the place-shaping work of our members and have seen how it can transform lives, communities and places.
"Every one of our members is doing all they can to invest in their community and create places where people can thrive. But we know this isn't easy.
"This partnership with Fusion21 will help us do more to ensure our members are recognised, supported and enabled as England's leading place-shapers.
"Along with our board of member chief executives, I am excited to be working with Fusion21 and can't wait to see what we can achieve together."
David Neilson, Chief Executive of Fusion21, said: "For over 24 years, Fusion21 has worked closely with our members and partners to deliver Procurement with Purpose – creating impact that goes above and beyond our core role as a national procurement specialist.
"Social value is in our DNA, and this partnership with PlaceShapers is a natural fit due to our aligned values and shared commitment to helping communities prosper.
"Together, we are well placed to support place-shaping housing providers, unlock greater community benefit and create visible social impact in the communities that need it most.
"We are excited about what this partnership can achieve and the difference it can make for members and the people and places they serve."
Nicole Kershaw, Chief Executive of One Manchester, said: "This is an exciting collaboration between two like-minded organisations dedicated to helping members invest in and regenerate the places they serve.
"I am confident this partnership will drive greater social value, delivering tangible benefits that improve local communities and enrich the lives of residents."
A Shared Commitment to Social Value, Community Investment and Place-Shaping
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to strengthen the contribution housing providers make to communities through social value, regeneration, employment opportunities, community-led investment and sustainable place-shaping initiatives.
By combining expertise in procurement, community development and housing policy, PlaceShapers and Fusion21 will help ensure housing providers are supported to deliver stronger outcomes for residents while creating lasting positive impact in the communities they serve.
About PlaceShapers
PlaceShapers is a national network of place-shaping housing organisations that supports social housing providers in delivering their place-shaping ambitions and helping communities thrive.
Its members range from housing associations managing fewer than 1,000 homes to organisations managing more than 100,000 homes. As not-for-profit organisations, PlaceShapers members share a long-term commitment to improving places through social, economic and physical regeneration.
Run by members, for members, PlaceShapers provides opportunities to learn, collaborate, share best practice and champion the value of place-based approaches to community development and housing.
Find out more: www.placeshapers.org