On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, Programmed Facility Management proudly hosted its inaugural Social Link event — a vibrant gathering designed to bring together our operational teams across Victoria, Tasmania, and water utilities with our valued social vendors and First Nations suppliers.
This event was more than just a meeting, it was a celebration of connection, collaboration, and community impact. With staff from various contracts, sectors, and divisions in attendance, the room buzzed with energy, ideas, and shared purpose.
Why Social Link Matters
Watch this highlight reel to directly hear from our vendor partners on what it means to partner with Programmed.
At Programmed, we believe in building long-term partnerships that create meaningful change. Social Link was a chance to deepen our understanding of the incredible work our social vendors do and to explore how social procurement can unlock opportunities for diverse communities.
The day was filled with inspiring stories, insightful presentations, and engaging conversations.
Our Vendor Management, Growth, Strategy & Business Transformation team members also shared how these partnerships align with our values and strategic goals — reinforcing our commitment to social impact.
Key Event Highlights
- Understanding Social Procurement
The event kicked off with an educational session on what social procurement means and how every team member can contribute to it.
- Vendor Spotlights & Showcase
Long-term partners as well as new vendors shared their journeys, challenges, and the positive impact they’re making, in their own words.
- Networking & Collaboration
Attendees connected with key stakeholders driving social value across our projects, sparking new ideas and potential collaborations.
- Engaging Discussions
Lively conversations throughout the day helped foster a shared understanding of our collective goals and the diverse opportunities ahead.
Featured Presenters
Vendors
- Andrew Walker, A2B Services Australia
- Belinda Wilson, Social Traders
- Bob Lancaster & William Lancaster, Fat Comms Services
- Hashan Senarathna, Navaroo
- Jake Long, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce
- Jefferson Hopewell, Melbourne Water
- Leo Chofor, BM Cleaning Group
- Terry Pieper, Connecting2Ability (C2A)
- Mathew Stokes, Larrakia Billara
Programmed
- Gail Tracey, Strategic Sales Manager
- Jerome Ierome, Vendor Manager
- Nat Hickcox, Head of FM – VIC/TAS & Utilities
- Stephanie Sem, Vendor Coordinator
- Gary Adams, Procurement & Store Inventory Lead
Voices from the Day
Here’s what some of our internal team members had to say:
- “The diversity of speakers was fantastic!”
- “The capability statement handouts were incredibly useful.”
- “The presentations were truly inspirational.”
- “Hearing directly from Social Traders and First Nations businesses was a highlight.”
- “Learning about each vendor’s journey and community initiatives was eye-opening.”
Looking Ahead
Social procurement is a cornerstone of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and Programmed Values.
By investing in partnerships that support social enterprises and First Nations businesses, we ensure our procurement spend contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
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