Creating lasting impact for people and communities

The publication of our latest Impact Report gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved over the past year, and also to consider what those achievements tell us about the future of public services.

Over the last year, our 2,310 co-members have supported more than two million people through 35 contracts, working in partnership with 22 commissioners across 184 locations throughout the UK. Behind every number is a person, a story and an opportunity to make a positive difference through effective public service delivery.

Our latest report highlights some of those stories, alongside the scale of the impact we continue to deliver together.

Helping people realise their potential

One milestone that particularly stands out is supporting 350,000 people into sustained employment.

Employment can transform lives. It provides financial security, builds confidence and creates opportunities for the future. Every person we support into work has their own journey, often involving considerable determination and resilience. Collectively, these outcomes also strengthen local economies, support employers and reduce pressure on public services.

At the same time, we know significant challenges remain. One million young people are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET). This is not simply a labour market issue. It is a challenge that affects communities, productivity and life chances, and one that requires urgent action.

Our report explores the work we are doing to help address this challenge by creating clearer pathways into employment and developing solutions that support young people before they become disconnected from opportunity. As policymakers seek ways to increase workforce participation and support economic growth, helping more people access meaningful opportunities must remain a national priority.

Our experience continues to show that the most effective employability support is personalised, rooted in local communities and closely connected to the needs of employers.

Other highlights from the year include:

• Supporting more than 46,000 people to make sustainable improvements to their health and wellbeing, reducing the risk of preventable disease
• Championing the contribution Armed Forces Service leavers can make to the UK's economic future
• Delivering 2.6 million secure and compliant Driving Theory Tests through our network of 135 Test Centres, while continuing to improve accessibility, including for people with hearing difficulties
• Improving the quality of money guidance available to people across England
• Harnessing AI-enabled solutions to help people access wellbeing support more quickly
• Informing government policy through research into employer attitudes towards recruiting people with criminal convictions

Reflecting on legacy and purpose

This year's report also provides an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of our founder, Sir Alec Reed, following his passing in December 2025.

Sir Alec firmly believed that commercial success and social impact should go hand in hand. Together with his son, our Chairman James Reed, he founded Reed in Partnership in 1998 with a simple but powerful ambition: to help people overcome barriers and fulfil their potential.

Today, that belief remains central to who we are.

As a family-owned British company, we are proud to be values-led and purpose-driven with philanthropy at our core. Social value is not something that sits alongside our work. It is woven into it. It shapes the services we design, the partnerships we build and the outcomes we strive to achieve.

That commitment is reflected through the work of the Reed Foundation, which owns 18% of the company and donated £4.76 million to charitable causes during the last financial year alone. It is also reflected in the growing PhilCo movement, inspired by Sir Alec's vision that businesses can be a force for good by directing a meaningful share of their success towards charitable and social causes.

At a time when organisations are increasingly being asked to demonstrate the difference they make to society, this approach provides a powerful example of how purpose and performance can work together.

Looking ahead

The stories throughout our Impact Report demonstrate what can be achieved when public services are designed around people and focused on outcomes that matter.

Whether helping people into employment, supporting healthier lives, making services more accessible, influencing policy through research or recognising the value that Armed Forces Service leavers bring to the workforce, each example reflects our commitment to creating positive, lasting change.

The report also reminds us of the scale of the challenges still ahead. Tackling economic inactivity, addressing the NEET crisis, improving public services and embracing innovation will require strong partnerships, continuous learning and a willingness to keep adapting.

Across the nine sectors in which we operate, we have seen that the most successful services share common characteristics. They are built around people, informed by evidence, committed to quality and continually improved to deliver better outcomes. Above all, they are delivered by passionate colleagues who care deeply about the people and communities they serve.

As a trusted partner, we remain committed to designing, delivering and improving public services that create opportunities, strengthen communities and help more people realise their potential.

You can read our company's latest impact report here.