Connected Procurement and Commissioning

Introduction

Welcome to the Connected Procurement and Commissioning (CPC) Programme for 2026/2027. Across national and local government, there is growing recognition that innovative procurement and commissioning are central to achieving better outcomes for public bodies and for the people and places they serve.

The CPC programme brings together procurement professionals, commissioners, contract, managers and budget holders, creating a collaborative space to share best practice and engage in constructive, solution focused conversations.

Our priorities for 2026/27 have been refreshed in partnership with the CPC Network Leadership Group, reflecting significant shifts in procurement and commissioning approaches, updated government legislation and the sector’s ongoing commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Through a varied programme of touchpoint meetings, networking events, roundtables, and thematic sessions, we support partners in enhancing efficiency, strengthening commercial practices and driving greater service integration. Alongside this, the CPC programme actively champions core social value priorities, including environmental sustainability, tackling modern slavery, local wealth building, and inclusive growth; to ensure public procurement continues to make a positive, lasting impact.

 

Priorities and Objectives for 2026-27

Commissioning and Procurement Innovation

Support procurement and commissioning leads to jointly commission more effectively. Maximise opportunities for new approaches to procurement and collaboration to drive savings.

Tackling Policy Outcomes Important to the Public Sector

Championing the evolving strategic policy objectives of the public sector. These include, embedding social value to support inclusive and sustainable growth, addressing poverty, inequality, and modern slavery, building resilient local economies and promoting sustainability within the supply chain with a focus on carbon reduction and Net Zero.

 

 

“We’ve always found iNetwork such a useful connection, with a strong engagement in sharing knowledge. I’m not sure where we’d be on our social value journey without iNetwork– that’s moving on at a rate of knots now!”

Calderdale Council

Deborah Gaunt

The CPC Network Leadership Group

Each iNetwork programme has a Network Leadership Group (NLG) which consists of iNetwork members who are leading practitioners in their field. The NLGs serve as both a programme board and a leadership forum for collaboration across the local public sector. The network leaders for the Connected Procurement & Commissioning Programme are:

CPC Network Leadership Group Members

Bryan Simmons, Wigan Council

Cath Bagley, Blackpool Council

Debbie Heard, Cumberland Council

Deborah Gaunt, Calderdale Council

Gemma Maw, YPO

Hywyn Pritchard, Merseyside Fire and Rescue

Jacqueline Sanderson, South Ribble Council

Jon Learoyd, North Yorkshire Council

Karen Middlebrook, Rotherham Council

Lianne Halliday, Cheshire East Council

Michelle Walker, YPO

Nichola Cooke, STAR Procurement (Deputy Chair)

Peter Schofield, Manchester City Council (Chair)

Rob Banks, STAR Procurement 

Roy Banks, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Tracey Harrison, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Peter Schofield

CPC Chair, Manchester City Council

Nichola Cooke

CPC Deputy Chair, STAR Procurement

 

Programme Co-ordinator 

Billy Smith

CPC Programme Co-ordinator

For advice, guidance and support in this area, please contact Billy Smith, Connected Procurement & Commissioning Programme Lead.

Email Billy