Connected Procurement and Commissioning

Introduction

Welcome to iNetwork’s Connected Procurement and Commissioning (CPC) Programme. There is growing recognition across national and local governments that innovative public procurement and commissioning can play a crucial role in driving better outcomes for public organisations, and the people and places that they serve.

iNetwork’s CPC programme creates space for procurement professionals, commissioners, contract managers, and budget holders to hold constructive conversations and share best practice. The priorities for 2025/26 have been updated in consultation with the CPC Network Leadership Group and reflect the changes within procurement and commissioning practices in line with updated government legislation and promoting sustainable and inclusive economies.

Our activities, including regular touchpoint meetings, networking events, roundtable discussions and more, are designed to support the partnership to deliver more efficient public services and to respond to the changing nature of the sector. The programme aims to assist the public sector in continuing to support greater efficiency, commercial practices, and service integration, whilst also championing core social value outcomes such as environmental sustainability, tackling modern slavery, local wealth building, and inclusive growth.

Priorities and Objectives for 2025-26

Effective Co-Commissioning and Procurement Innovation

Support procurement and commissioning leads to jointly commission more effectively to deliver savings and efficiencies. Maximising opportunities for new approaches to procurement and collaboration with internal departments to drive savings. 

Tackling Policy Outcomes Important to the Public Sector

Support, and respond to, the evolving strategic policy objectives of the public sector through improved procurement and commissioning practices. 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

Deborah Gaunt, Calderdale Council

Hannah Little, Lancaster City Council

Hywyn Pritchard, Merseyside Fire and Rescue

Jacqueline Sanderson, South Ribble Council

Jasmin Banks-Lee, Oldham 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

Peter Schofield

CPC Chair, Manchester City Council

Nichola Cooke

CPC Deputy Chair, STAR Procurement

 

Programme Co-ordinator 

Lucy Hamilton 

CPC Programme Co-ordinator

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

Email Lucy