McTaggart Construction signs up to new Buy Social Scotland Pledge

Janice Nicol, Social Enterprise Scotland; James Freel, Commercial Director at McTaggart Construction; and Jennifer Robertson, Glasgow Social Enterprise Network

MCTAGGART Construction has become the first housebuilder in Scotland to sign up to the new Buy Social Scotland Pledge.

The new national initiative, led by Social Enterprise Scotland, aims to strengthen opportunities for social enterprises within the country’s supply chains.

McTaggart Construction said that it signed up as part of its commitment to bolster efforts to work with the third sector.

MD Janice Russell continued, “We firmly believe that building quality affordable homes positively changes lives and communities and part of that is understanding the importance that Social and Supported enterprise plays in communities and supporting marginalised groups.

“As well as our commitment to investing in local employment and apprenticeship schemes, we are delighted to be leading the Scottish construction industry by signing this pledge.”

Launched last year, the Pledge brings together corporate businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, and public sector bodies who are looking to make a commitment to bring social enterprises into their supply chains.

McTaggart Construction, CSR manager Ross Hammell, said, “I am delighted we have signed up to build on the positive work we already do with the third sector. We currently have commitments for orders with RSBI Kitchens, Community Wood Recycling and Scotland’s Bravest Signage but want to create many more opportunities and raise our investment in social enterprise beyond our current spend of £250,000.”

Speaking at a visit to McTaggart Construction’s new social housing development in Glasgow, Janice Nicol, business and enterprise manager at Social Enterprise Scotland, said, “We are thrilled to welcome McTaggart Construction to the Buy Social Scotland Pledge and applaud them for setting a powerful example to the housebuilding sector of how organisations can drive positive change and promote a more inclusive economy across Scotland by integrating social enterprises into their supply chain.”