| Date |
|---|
| 10th October 2025 |
Following a hugely successful event in Birmingham earlier this year, Procurement Act Live 2025 is back for a second instalment: the journey so far. This event will explore the early impacts of the Procurement Act and how organisations across the public and private sectors are adapting to this transformation in procurement regulation.
We sat down with Director of SUPC, Gemma Payne, to find out more about her conference session.
Gemma, your session is focusing on the future of education Procurement following the Act – why is this such an important topic?
The education sector is one of the largest and most diverse areas of public and private procurement, covering everything from Laboratory equipment and academic books through to major construction projects and digital infrastructure. The Procurement Act represents a real shift in how we think about value, transparency, efficiency, and collaboration – and education sits right at the heart of that change.
Higher Education is under increasing pressure to deliver more with less, so finding smarter and more efficient ways to buy goods and services is critical. The new regime gives us an opportunity to streamline processes, increase transparency, and make procurement more agile and outcome focused.
Without giving too much of your session away, how has the Procurement Act affected the HE and wider education sector?
The Procurement Act is encouraging the education sector to think differently about how it buys. We’re seeing a move away from purely process-driven procurement towards a more strategic, value-focused approach. It’s also helping raise the profile of procurement within sector.
The Act also encourages institutions to look beyond price and consider the social, environmental, and ethical implications of every purchasing decision. This means placing greater focus on sustainability, supporting local suppliers and SMEs, promoting fair and inclusive working practices, and embedding social value. However, the sector is also navigating some challenges. These include adapting to new processes, managing compliance in a changing regulatory environment, balancing cost pressures with value-driven outcomes, and ensuring staff have the right skills and capacity to deliver these changes effectively.
Who will benefit from attending your session?
It’s for anyone looking to understand the practical impacts of the Procurement Act, drive efficiency, and embed responsible procurement and social value in their organisation.
What’s one thing you want all delegates to come away with after attending your presentation?
I hope delegates leave with a better understanding of what the Procurement Act means for higher education and some practical ideas for how to apply it in their own institutions to make procurement more effective and efficient.
Register your place today
Excited to learn more about the future of procurement in the education sector? Join Gemma and Jasbinder Sandhu, LUPC, in the buyer essentials zone on 14 October 2025 at 10:50-11:15.