| Date |
|---|
| 11th April 2025 |
In February, members of the SUPC team attended Procurement Act Live 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. The event offered a valuable opportunity to explore the latest developments in public procurement and connect with sector experts focused on improving procurement practices.
With the new regulations now in effect, Clare Riley, SUPC’s Special Projects Lead, reflects on some of the key themes from the event – highlighting how procurement can be a powerful tool to drive social value, foster innovation, and enhance contract management. These areas are especially vital for the higher education sector.
Procurement Act Live – initial impressions
Let’s be honest: procurement events don’t always scream “buzzing with energy.” But Procurement Act Live 2025 at the NEC Birmingham? Genuinely thought-provoking. (And yes, the coffee helped.)
With the Procurement Act now officially live, the event couldn’t have come at a better time. It was packed with insights, familiar faces, and plenty of good intentions about turning procurement into the strategic superpower it should be – especially for sectors like higher education, where budgets are tight, expectations are high, and the ripple effects of good procurement go far beyond the balance sheet.
So here are a few personal reflections – things that stuck with me (beyond the queue for lunch).
NPPS updates: the wish list with teeth?
OnThe National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) got a proper airing early in the day. While there’s no legal compulsion to follow it to the letter, contracting authorities are expected to seriously consider its priorities – think value for money, economic growth, and good old social value.
The message? Ignore it if you must, but make sure you’ve got a convincing reason (and possibly a Plan B). It’s not exactly a straitjacket, but it’s definitely a directional nudge – and for those of us trying to embed values into procurement processes, that’s actually quite helpful.
Contract management: less glam, more crucial
One of the most relatable moments of the day came during a talk on contract management. It’s often the overlooked middle child of procurement: not as shiny as the tender launch, not as satisfying as a contract signed. But it’s where the real stuff happens – or unravels, if we’re not careful.
Scope creep? We’ve all been there. That moment when a small change becomes a major cost. The story of “low-bid-then-load-up” suppliers? Sadly familiar. But the takeaway wasn’t just about risk. It was also a bit of a reality check: are we, as buyers, always the easiest people to work with?
There was some refreshing honesty about our own side of the table – favouritism, vague market engagement, or that classic stakeholder move of promising the earth without following a single procurement rule. It was a helpful reminder: strong contract management is a two-way street.
Risks to watch out for (and not just on the slide deck)
We talked through the biggies:
- Awkward handovers between suppliers
- Contract variations that snowball
- Commercial adjustments (code for: unexpected costs)
- Staff changes (yours or theirs)
None of this was new, but it’s easy to forget how interconnected they are. Good supplier relationships, regular check-ins, and actually using the data you collect – those are the difference-makers.
Innovation: more than a buzzword
This was one of the more energising discussions. Innovation in procurement can feel a bit like chasing a unicorn: we all talk about it, but do we actually do it?
The consensus was clear: early market engagement is everything. Use the flexibility in the new regs, take your time at the start, and dig deep into the supply chain. Find out what’s possible – before you write the spec.
And here’s the golden rule: if the cost of doing nothing is high and the problem is clear, go big on innovation. Co-creating solutions with suppliers (rather than just hoping they interpret your 83-page tender document correctly) is not only possible – it’s what the new rules encourage.
Final thoughts: procurement gets personal
The day left me with one overriding sense: procurement is changing. Not overnight, and not without its bumps – but the tools are there to do something smarter, more impactful, and frankly, more human.
Whether it’s aligning with NPPS, improving contract management, or embracing innovation – it’s all part of a bigger picture. One where procurement helps deliver institutional goals and contributes to wider social outcomes. And that’s something we should be proud of.
Short summary (to save time!):
- NPPS is your compass – use it wisely
- Don’t sleep on contract management. It’s where success (or chaos) lives
- Get curious early. Talk to the market before you define the problem
- Procurement isn’t just a process – it’s a chance to make change happen.