Navigating the New Procurement Landscape in Education: Reflections from the Public Sector Estates Congress
By Tim Warneford, Director, Warneford Consulting Ltd, June 2025
This week’s Public Sector Estates Congress brought together a wide range of voices from across the built environment, public sector procurement, and education estates – offering a vital platform to share emerging insights and challenges under the new Procurement Act.
I was pleased to join the panel for a focused discussion on the impact, risks, and rewards of the Act as it applies specifically to the education sector. As someone working to shape strategy and policy in this space, it was encouraging to see such engagement from across the sector and a shared appetite for clarity and innovation.
The event underlined just how pivotal this moment is. The shift in legislation is far more than a procedural update, it signals a change in how public sector organisations, particularly schools, trusts, and higher education institutions, engage with procurement and delivery.
Key Themes Shaping the Conversation
Several standout themes emerged during the morning’s sessions:
- Clarity and Practical Guidance: There is significant work underway to turn the complexity of the new legislation into actionable steps. Helping teams on the ground apply the Act with confidence will be critical if we are to unlock its full potential.
- Smarter Procurement: Discussions emphasised the opportunities for streamlining outdated processes without compromising value or outcomes. Intelligent procurement is increasingly recognised not just as a necessity, but as a strategic enabler.
- Culture Change: Legislative change alone won’t deliver meaningful transformation. It requires a broader shift in mindset—across organisations, leadership teams, and delivery partners.
- Collaboration Across Sectors: The power of shared knowledge and coordinated action was a recurring theme. Whether it’s sharing best practice or aligning long-term estate strategies, collaboration continues to be key.
With a panel including representatives from NHS England, Arcadis, KPMG, and Morgan Sindall Construction, the level of debate and insight was high. As a sector, we’re clearly moving towards a more integrated and strategic approach to estates planning and procurement—and education must not be left behind.
Looking Ahead
At Warneford Consulting, we are placing ourselves at the heart of this conversation. I’ll be hosting a SWOT analysis session on the Procurement Act’s implications for education at the upcoming Education Estates Conference in October, and we’re exploring opportunities for a podcast to open up the conversation further.
This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about reshaping procurement as a driver of long-term value and resilience across the education estate.
We look forward to continuing the conversation and leading it where we can.
For more insights on education estates strategy, procurement reform, and capital delivery, follow Warneford Consulting or get in touch directly.
