New figures from Southeastern’s 2023/24 Social Value Report highlight the company’s commitment to strengthening communities, supporting small businesses, and reducing environmental impact across London, Kent, and parts of East Sussex.
As one of the UK’s largest and busiest train operators, Southeastern continues to play a vital role in local economies by investing in people, businesses, and sustainability.
The report details progress in building a more reliable railway, creating job opportunities, and reducing its environmental footprint.
Key achievements include:
- £77m spent with small and medium-sized businesses, strengthening local supply chains – a 20% increase compared to last year.
- Social mobility supported through King’s Trust programme, including work experience and summer internship.
- 159 colleagues completed apprenticeships, with a record 500 now in training.
- 43% reduction in water use, cutting waste and improving efficiency.
- A one-third reduction in CO₂ emissions since 2019, advancing Southeastern’s sustainability goals.
- £125,000 invested in 13 local projects through the Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
Steve White, Managing Director, Southeastern, said:
“We are a purposeful company. We see ourselves as much more than just a means of getting from ‘a’ to ‘b’. We connect people with housing, employment and other opportunities.
“We know our choices matter. We have a responsibility to foster economic growth, enable social mobility and protect the environment in which we all live.
“In the last year we have increased the amount we invest in our local supply chain, welcomed a record number of apprentices into the business to help broaden opportunities for our communities and significantly reduced our impact on the environment.
“We know there is still more we can do but this report showcases how far we have come, too.”
At the start of 2023, Southeastern identified six priority areas for its social impact efforts which it has continued to work to deliver in this year:
- Our work with the Purpose Coalition: Southeastern has signed up to a Social Mobility Pledge. The Pledge is a commitment by businesses to bear social mobility in mind when considering access to opportunity, outreach, and recruitment. As the first train operator to create a Social Mobility Plan, we are focused on unlocking potential for our staff and communities and contributing to a more prosperous and inclusive community. Working with the Coalition will develop our approach and ability to measure our impact.
- Promoting local skills and jobs: To promote growth and development opportunities for people within a community and ensure that they have access to opportunities to develop new skills and gain meaningful employment.
- Supporting growth of local responsible businesses: To provide local businesses with the skills to compete and the opportunity to work as part of public sector and big business supply chains.
- Healthier, safer and more resilience local communities: To build stronger and deeper relationships with the voluntary and social enterprise sectors whilst continuing to engage and empower citizens.
- Decarbonising and safeguarding our world: To ensure the places where people live and work are cleaner and greener, to promote sustainable procurement and help secure the long-term future of our planet.
- Promoting social innovation: To promote new ideas and find innovative solutions to old.
To read the full report, visit: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/working-with-us/procurement
