The power of social value

At Aire Logic, we believe that delivering social value through technology is not just a moral imperative, it’s a driver of innovation and long-term success. From the start, we’ve committed time and expertise to non-profit initiatives, recognising that stepping beyond contractual obligations can bring unexpected rewards.

Our founder, Joe Waller, explains why he envisions a future where colleagues spend up to 40% of their paid working time problem-solving for NHS bodies, academic institutions and charities that a lack of funding might otherwise hold back.

“Social value breeds business value,” Joe says. “The ripple effect benefits the economy, livelihoods, and our own sense of belonging. While tech can be seen as a cold, disruptive force, we’ve seen firsthand how it delivers tangible benefits to vulnerable communities and fuels innovation within our own teams.”

Collaboration fuels success

The best results come when people are passionate about their work. By focusing on projects that matter, we empower teams to channel their expertise and energy into solving real problems, whether fixing a broken system or creating something entirely new.

We’ve consciously pursued work that benefits citizens and supports our people, and this strategy has shaped a successful, sustainable business. Some of our most innovative breakthroughs have emerged from not-for-profit projects, reinforcing our belief that doing the right thing also delivers commercial value.

Making a difference in healthcare

Our founders, Joe and Mike Odling-Smee, have worked with national NHS organisations for decades, helping clinicians turn ideas into real-world solutions. Many of these innovations might not have progressed through traditional investment routes, but by focusing on social value, we’ve helped bring them to life.

Our projects include initiatives to improve access to local mental health services, e-rostering solutions to support junior doctors, and diagnostic imaging for diabetic foot ulcers. More recently, we’ve applied AI to tremor analysis in Parkinson’s diagnosis and developed smartphone tools enabling patients to monitor their vitals, contributing to proactive healthcare.

Expanding our impact

Our not-for-profit work has also helped us grow into new sectors. Two current initiatives focus on improving opportunities for young people by creating more supportive educational environments.

The Lancaster Model, created by long-serving nurse Kath Lancaster, is a tool that helps school nurses and local authorities identify pupils at risk of health and wellbeing challenges. Using our low-code solutions, we’ve made it easier to intervene early where it’s most needed.

We also work with The Ahead Partnership, a youth empowerment charity in Leeds, to engage underrepresented groups in the tech and digital sectors. This cause resonates strongly with our team.

“Partnerships like these enable meaningful conversations about how we can deliver measurable impact,” says Joe. “We’re now focusing on capturing clearer outcomes from our passion projects to show the real-world difference we’re making, not just to our stakeholders but to our own people, whose involvement is key to turning good ideas into impactful solutions.”

A strategy built on social value

At Aire Logic, social value has never been a side project. It’s central to our strategy. We believe that balancing commercial objectives with work that benefits society creates opportunities for everyone involved.

By sponsoring the research and development of unfunded concepts, we enable experimentation and learning that benefits both our business and the communities we serve. Our low-hierarchy structure gives teams the autonomy to choose projects they’re passionate about, fostering loyalty and leaving a lasting legacy for the business and its people.

We’ve based this article on Jo’s original guest blog for Techuk’s Social Value Week.

‍