Blog

Creating transparency in procurement

Neil Jones, Category Manager

How can we assure all interested parties beyond the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 that companies are going to continue to be financially viable? When it comes to procuring these types of complex projects how are we going to manage the ongoing financial status of a delivery partner so that risks are managed? How can we assure there is absolute certainty on cost and that contracts perform to be delivered on time?

Like Harry and Meghan, Procurement Hub is the perfect match to get your projects off the ground

Sophie Quenby, Operations Manager

The royal wedding is fast approaching and impossible to ignore, just like those projects which can be slow to get off the ground!

Celebrating innovation in procurement at Procurex England North

Sophie Quenby, Operations Manager

On the 24 April Procurement Hub will descend on Manchester Central to exhibit at Procurex England North on stand 92 to celebrate innovation in procurement.

OJEU compliant access to suppliers and specialist construction partners, to help deliver your development projects.

Neil Jones, Operations Manager

There is no doubt that the development industry is as busy as it’s ever been, particularly within the public sector. Contractors, developers and all public sector organisations are competing for opportunities, finances, and land. Critically, there is a clamour for the knowledge, resource, skills and capacity to develop and build the accommodation of tomorrow, that’s badly needed today.

Kitchen supply framework launches

Keith Mullender, Senior Procurement Manager

Procurement Hub’s new Kitchen supply framework provides direct pre-tendered access to three of the UK’s leading kitchen design and manufacturing companies, offering bespoke packages and value for money for all project sizes.

Legal Services Dynamic Purchasing System: Legal protection you can’t afford to ignore!

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

From routine legal activities to complex cross-border issues, ensuring your organisation’s operations are legally safeguarded is paramount.

News insight: DPS – The dependable procurement solutions

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

News reports over the last week about the collapse of Carillion demonstrate how volatile the markets can be, where no-one can predict what may happen or what the outcome will be.

2017 - Our year in review

Alan Heron, Director of Procurement

In 2017 we went from strength to strength, adopting innovative procurement methods, launching even more solutions, welcoming new suppliers and achieving our key membership target.

Apprentices and reducing the skills gap

Keith Mullender, Senior Procurement Manager

Procurement Hub is proud to launch our new Apprenticeships DPS; the first of its kind in the UK.

News update: New EU procurement thresholds

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

From the 1 January 2018 the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) announced the new procurement threshold values.

Thank you!

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Thank you, your generosity has been simply incredible and we’ve raised an amazing...

What the Autumn Budget 2017 means for procurement

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

Unsurprisingly, Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Autumn Budget statement was full of the big topics including housing, Brexit and the NHS to name a few. There's no doubt that in the current climate we are in a position that is “full of change, full of challenges and full of new opportunities.”

New framework provides full end-to-end solution for your urban development

Mark Pheasey, Framework Director, Fortem

Built Environment is the newest framework in the Procurement Hub portfolio, designed to provide a full end-to-end solution for your urban development projects starting with a free feasibility report.

How to meet the Prime Minister's house building challenge

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

Following the Prime Ministers crucial housing summit to address the wide-ranging issues which affect the UK housing sector, we look at how the challenge can be met.

Brexit - What does 'no deal' look like?

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

It’s been another interesting week in politics. Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has stated that the Treasury is willing to spend on preparing for a “no deal” Brexit if necessary.

You win... we win... they win this winter

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

As part of our continued commitment to social well being, Procurement Hub is fundraising for one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, Children in Need.

Looking back over the exhibition season

Sophie Quenby, Client Account Executive

Now that the dust has settled on a busy few months for Procurement Hub, it's time to reflect on our successful attendance at two of the largest industry events in the exhibition calendar - CIH Housing 2017 in Manchester and the LGA conference and exhibition in July.

General Election update

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Politics. It’s a funny old game. The last 24 hours have seen yet another unpredictable outcome in our political landscape.

CIH Housing 2017 stand D34 is a (Procurement) Hub of activity

Procurement Hub team

This year Procurement Hub will once again be showcasing our unique offering to the sector, and sharing the value of the work we've invested delivering our various procurement solutions.

New waste service solution does it all

Neil Jones, Category Manager at Procurement Hub

The new waste services framework from Procurement Hub is a game changer as it provides a fully integrated service covering all forms of waste collection and recycling for public sector organisations.

New Furniture and Homeware Framework aims to deliver social value to improve living standards

Craig Ainscow, Category Manager at Procurement Hub

Procurement Hub has partnered with registered charity Furniture Resource Centre (FRC) and Buckingham Interiors to establish a new Furniture and Homeware Framework with a difference.

Article 50 has been triggered – What next for Procurement?

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

This morning Theresa May took the long-awaited and significant step of officially triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This effectively sets in motion the process of realising Britain’s exit from the European Union. Alan Heron explains what this mean for those involved in procurement activities.

Tackling the UK labour and skills shortage post Brexit

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Many sectors across the UK are currently facing the challenge of a labour and skills shortage, and already rely heavily on foreign skilled and non-skilled workers. But how are procurement professionals going to tackle this mounting challenge post-Brexit?

New legal services procurement method is a UK first

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Following the result of the EU referendum, any UK public or private sector organisations dealing with European partners will require targeted legal counsel, to ensure all processes are aligned and consistent with continental trading requirements.

Procure for the future

Rachel Durham, Procurement Hub Operations Manager

Last February, the new UK Public Contracts Regulations came into effect, revolutionising aspects of our established procurement processes.

5 tips to optimise your procurement processes

Rachel Durham, Procurement Hub Operations Manager

As the procurement landscape continues to change, now's the ideal time for organisations to evolve how they procure goods and services.

Keep public sector projects moving

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

It’s almost exactly a year since Procurement Hub launched. And after a year of change, it’s now more important than ever to get the most out of your procurement processes.

Stay in control of your organisation's energy strategy

Rachel Durham, Procurement Hub Operations Manager

Procurement Hub has launched a new energy procurement and consultancy framework agreement to meet the needs of the housing and public sectors.

Development Contractors Framework launched

Rachel Durham, Procurement Hub Operations Manager

With public sector organisations under increasing pressure to build more new homes, our new free-to-join procurement solution will slot seamlessly into your business and get your projects moving quickly.

Builders Merchants framework launches

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Our new Builders’ Merchants framework offers direct and efficient, pre-tendered access to some of the largest and most respected materials suppliers in the country, complementing the recently-launched Development Contractors solution.

The landscape has changed … fundamentally

Alan Heron, Procurement Hub

As events unfolded overnight, this morning has perfectly demonstrated how turbulent our economic and political landscape is at the moment. Britain has voted to exit the European Union in a historic vote which will have seismic ramifications for us all.

Brexit: what next for procurement?

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

On the 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union. The result sent shockwaves across the political and economic landscapes, but what will public sector procurement actually look like in 2 years time?

5 key benefits of our Energy Supply Dynamic Purchasing System

Neil Jones, Operations Manager

Save time and money on your organisation's energy supply with Procurement Hub’s new Energy DPS. It's not too late - put compliant energy procurement solutions in place within days.

What does the House Building Fund mean for developers?

Neil Jones, Operations Manager

With the Government announcing a new £3 billion pot to fund property development, effective procurement processes are vital to help you make the most of your funding.

Maximise your energy efficiency

Gemma Edwards, Wilmott Dixon Energy Services

The key benefit of the Green Services framework is that with only one supplier, Procurement Hub’s members can access expert, value for money services straight away, without spending months tendering for alternatives.

A year of change for procurement

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

The public and procurement sectors are experiencing a period of fluidity like never before. To some, this sustained period of change and tumult may represent uncertainty – but I believe we should look at it as an opportunity.

New ways of procurement will support Housing Association resilience

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

Procurement solutions offer Housing Associations a chance to thrive in a rapidly changing operating environment.

Navigating the new procurement landscape

Alan Heron, Head of Procurement

The procurement landscape is changing. In his latest post, Alan Heron discusses how organisations can react to keep pace with the changes.

Launch of our new IT services framework at the CIH annual conference

On the first day of the CIH annual conference and exhibition in Manchester, Alan Heron discusses the value of launching a new IT services framework at the main event in the housing calendar.

Reducing fuel poverty: FREE e-learning webinar for housing providers

We’ve teamed up with Sustainable Homes to provide a free webinar, focusing on reducing fuel poverty through e-learning.

Procurement - the time is now

Katy Mills, Managing Director

I don't think I have ever known a time in my procurement life that has been more challenging, or seen more doors opening.

Housing Finance Conference 2015 round up

Katy Mills, Managing Director

A look back at the Natfed Housing Finance Conference, where we were delighted to officially launch Procurement Hub.

Incorporating Solar PV - Begin, Progress, Succeed

Bruce Brunson, Divisional Director at MAP Environmental

In our first guest post, Bruce Brunson from MAP Environmental talks about how solar power could greatly reduce your organisation's energy costs.

Introducing Procurement Hub

Katy Mills, Managing Director

I am proud to introduce Procurement Hub, a simple hub which gives you easy access to compliantly procured framework agreements.