Dear Shared Value Community,
I have some exciting news to share. After a decade of building shared value in Australia, the Shared Value Project is joining forces with the Sustainable Value Creation Institute at Melbourne Business School.
This formalises a relationship that has been building for some time, and it gives shared value in this country a platform to match its ambition.
The Sustainable Value Creation Institute has been built on the same conviction we have held from the outset, that the challenges facing business and society are also where the best opportunities for innovation and growth are found. Established at Melbourne Business School to advance sustainable value creation across corporate Australia, it brings research capability, faculty and reach we have not had before.
We are proud of what has been built. The Shared Value Project began because a group of Australian companies were willing to back an idea barely established here, and we are grateful to them for it. Since then, shared value has moved from a concept to a strategy companies are building into how they compete, led by our members and by a community that now spans business, government and the not-for-profit sector.
There has never been a more important time for this work, and the demand from industry is clear. Together with the Institute we will advance the intellectual property, build the Australian evidence base through case and research work, and take executive education to more leaders and organisations.
Our focus stays where it has always been, on supporting business to put shared value into practice and growing its adoption across Australia. I will continue to lead that work from within the Institute and Melbourne Business School. This community comes with us, as does our connection to shared value globally.
There is plenty more news to follow in the coming weeks. For now, thank you for the part you have played in building shared value in Australia. I am looking forward to what we do next together.
Warm regards,
Sarah Downie CEO, Shared Value Project
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE CHANGE
What is happening?
The Shared Value Project is joining forces with the Sustainable Value Creation Institute at Melbourne Business School. The programs, the community and the work continue, from a bigger platform.
What is the Sustainable Value Creation Institute?
The Institute was established at Melbourne Business School with business, for business, to advance sustainable value creation across corporate Australia.
Why Melbourne Business School?
The Institute’s purpose and ours are the same. Both start from the view that the challenges facing business and society are where the best opportunities for innovation and growth sit. Melbourne Business School brings research capability, faculty and reach that we have not had access to as an independent body, and we bring the industry community, the programs and a decade of Australian practice.
Why make the change at all?
Demand from industry for this work has grown, and so has what is needed to meet it properly. Evidence, case material and executive education all take capability beyond what a small independent organisation can build on its own.
Does the vision or the mission change?
No. Our focus stays on supporting business to put shared value into practice and growing its adoption across Australia. What changes is the capability we can bring to it.
Does the Shared Value Project name continue?
Yes. We will be known as the Shared Value Project sitting as an initiative within the Sustainable Value Creation Institute at Melbourne Business School.
MEMBERS AND PARTNERS
Will memberships still exist?
Within the Institute, organisations engage through partnership, program participation and project work, alongside a community of practice. Memberships will transition into this engagement model. We believe this reflects the journey we have been on with members, seeking support in more tangible and tailored ways. We look forward to working with existing and new organisations to design the engagement that works best.
Who is my contact?
You can still contact us at info@sharedvalue.org.au
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Do the programs continue?
Yes. Executive education, the masterclass series and our case and research work all continue, and the intention is to grow them.
What happens to executive education and training?
Executive education is clearly central to the Melbourne Business School and joining forces with the Sustainable Value Creation Institute provides more opportunities to curate an array of capability development programs. We look forward to announcing more details on our plans in this space in coming months.
Will the Shared Value Summit continue?
Bringing leaders and practitioners together has always been central to our work, and this will continue. We are working with our community to understand which events are most valuable for them, and with what cadence.
Will the Shared Value Awards continue?
We love seeing the work that is being done by the community, and the Shared Value Awards is a fantastic way to capture the very best of it. Look out for an announcement on when you can expect the Awards program to open.
Where can I find the event calendar?
Stay tuned for our 2027 program calendar.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL CONNECTION
Is Mark Kramer still involved?
Yes. Our relationship with Mark continues, and planning is underway for his next visit to Australia!
What happens to our connection to shared value globally?
That connection continues. It has always run through our own relationships rather than through a formal structure, and those relationships come with us.
Do the international partnerships continue?
Yes. The relationships we draw on to bring global thinking into our programs continue, and the Institute’s own networks add to them.
FINDING US
Where do I find you now?
Our website and LinkedIn page stay live through the transition and will point you to where things sit at Melbourne Business School.
How do I get in touch?
Keep using our current email addresses for now. New contact details will follow, and anything sent to the old address will reach us.