Morning, Monday, 9th February 2026
Online
This conference will focus on the future of public procurement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Policy proposals, implementation & stakeholder concerns
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to consider how proposals might be taken forward in areas such as supporting market development, classifying certain goods and services as critical for national security, and strengthening social value expectations in major contracts - alongside alignment with the Modern Industrial Strategy, the National Procurement Policy Statement, and implementation of the Procurement Act 2023.
With the Government currently considering feedback to the Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs and Skills consultation, sessions in the agenda will examine stakeholder concerns raised during consultation, including uncertainties around trade obligations, practicalities of applying public interest tests for in‑house delivery, readiness of the Central Digital Platform, and considerations for balancing cost pressures with decarbonisation ambitions.
Industrial strategy, international trade & supplier competitiveness
Attendees will also discuss procurement’s contribution to wider policy aims, including proposals to designate critical goods and services, and the development of resilient domestic supply chains. This will include consideration of how international trade obligations sit alongside emerging aims to support domestic industry, and where flexibility might exist in the Government Procurement Agreement and the UK‑EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement when designing performance indicators linked to jobs, skills, and supply‑chain commitments.
Delegates will assess latest thinking on supporting the competitiveness of domestic businesses, including unlocking SME participation, addressing legal and commercial risk aversion, and strengthening capability to manage complex contracts. Consideration will also be given to implications for qualifying foreign suppliers, and stakeholder calls for clarity on how non‑discrimination principles might apply to future policy proposals.
Market structure & competition
With the CMA expected to publish interim findings of the Civil Engineering Market Study by the end of 2025, delegates will examine opportunities for procurement policy and practice to promote fair and competitive markets, widen the supplier base, and more effectively incentivise investment.
Issues raised by stakeholders will be discussed, including supplier concentration, uncertainty for suppliers as new requirements and possible sector classifications are introduced, and concerns about how consistently those classifications might be applied.
Digital transformation & data transparency
Further sessions will look at fostering innovation and market access for start‑ups and scale‑ups, including through the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence and the Commercial Innovation Hub. The forthcoming Digital Sourcing Strategy will be discussed, particularly around commercial standards, contract management, and the use of shared platforms.
Discussion will also consider how procurement processes are adapting to incorporate AI and other advanced technologies, and how this can best support capability, accountability and value for money.
Delegates are expected to reflect on gaps and inconsistencies in data published on the Central Digital Platform, particularly where these limit visibility of payment practices or contract performance.
Inclusive procurement & social value
Sessions will examine approaches for widening access to contracts, including through the Crown Commercial Service’s SME Action Plan, the use of early market engagement to support proportionate requirements, and next steps for embedding social value KPIs in major contracts.
Delegates will consider how increased transparency and data‑sharing might support trust, value for money, and participation of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector. Stakeholder concerns - including the practical challenges faced by SMEs and VCSEs in meeting evolving requirements, and the importance of timely payments and clear expectations - will also be reflected in the discussion.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
