Posted 8th August 2025
As part of a planned leadership transition, Isabelle Parasram OBE has announced that she will be stepping down as Chief Executive later this year.
On behalf of the Board of the Institute for Social Value, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Isabelle for her impactful leadership, infectious energy and infinite enthusiasm during her truly transformational time as Chief Executive.
Isabelle joined us at a pivotal moment in our journey, helping to shape and lead our transition from Social Value UK to the Institute for Social Value, and championing a bold, inclusive vision for the future of the movement.
I’m sure you will all agree that Isabelle will be missed and that her legacy will be felt across the organisation and wider sector for years to come.
While we’re sad to see Isabelle step down, we’re excited about what’s next. The Institute is in a strong position, and we’re already working on plans to recruit a new Chief Executive who will help take our mission forward and build on the solid foundations Isabelle has helped to lay.
To our members, partners and the wider social value community: thank you for your continued support. We look forward to continuing the next chapter together.
FAQs
Isabelle has made the decision to step down as part of a conscious desire to transition leadership and foster ISV’s ongoing growth. We’re incredibly grateful for the leadership and vision she has brought to the Institute, particularly through our transformation from Social Value UK.
The Board is leading a proactive process to recruit a new Chief Executive. We hope to recruit in the next few months and make an appointment later in the year. We’re confident in our plan and committed to finding the right person to lead ISV into its next chapter.
Isabelle is not stepping down immediately and we are already moving ahead with the recruitment of a new Chief Executive. At this stage, we do not anticipate a gap that would require an interim appointment. However, if an interim arrangement becomes necessary, then the Board and wider team are fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition with continued operations and confident running of the organisation.
Our mission, vision and strategic direction remain the same. We remain fully committed to advancing the social value movement and supporting our members and partners. Isabelle’s leadership has helped us build a strong foundation, and we will continue to build on that.
No. All projects, programmes and partnerships will continue as planned. If there are any changes to delivery timelines, we’ll communicate these directly.
We’ll continue to keep members updated through our newsletters, website and member bulletins. If you have any immediate questions, you can reach us at [email protected] or [email protected]
We’re exploring ways to involve our membership and wider community in shaping the future leadership of the Institute. More details will follow soon.
All being well, we hope to make an appointment later this year.
Message from Isabelle Parasram OBE, CEO of the Institute for Social Value
After much reflection, I’ve decided that the time is right for me to step down as CEO of the Institute for Social Value. This hasn’t been an easy decision, nor is there another job waiting in the wings – simply a deep conviction that now is the right moment to pass the baton.
I’ve always believed leadership is about growth, not ownership – it’s about building something that’s bigger than any one individual. ISV was never meant to belong to one voice or one face. My vision was to create a growing community, powered by collaboration, curiosity, and shared purpose.
“One of my proudest moments…when we became The Institute for Social Value…”
Isabelle Parasram OBE
I feel that, after years of being the very visible leader of ISV, the only way to see that vision completely fulfilled is to step down – to allow for that growth.
As a parent of four, I’ve learned that stepping back is sometimes the most courageous and powerful thing you can do. That’s the spirit in which I’ve made this decision.
Over the coming months, I’ll be working closely with the Board, our team, and our community to ensure a thoughtful and smooth transition. Following that, I remain committed to staying actively involved in the ISV community
I’m confident that ISV is in a strong position to begin its next chapter – with a new ISV Council, a reimagined conference, and the upcoming launch of our new website and membership packages.
We rarely get to choose how we’ll be remembered – but we can choose how we say goodbye.
So, I’ll say a formal goodbye at our Birmingham conference in October and will then continue in my role for a time to support a smooth leadership handover.
And, to mark this milestone in a more heartfelt way, I’ll be leading a 10K walk later this year in honour of two people close to our ISV community who’ve been affected by cancer – Emma, a dear friend of our Co-Chair Penny who recently passed away, and Antonietta, the mother of our colleague Val.
To walk this final stretch with you (literally!) feels like the right parting – raising money together for a cause close to our hearts, and saying farewell in a way that reflects who I am.
If you’d like to join us – in person or in spirit – you can sign up here
On a personal note, thank you to those who have walked this extraordinary, enriching and transformative journey with me – for your encouragement, your trust, and your belief, both in me and in what ISV can be.
With gratitude,
Isabelle