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How has the UK Procurement Act really landed: impacts, challenges and opportunities
More than a year after the UK Procurement Act came into force, what has changed for buyers, suppliers, and bid teams?
In this episode of the Optimize Podcast, Matt Light is joined by Gemma Waring, Director of G Waring Consulting, procurement consultant, trainer, and public sector tendering specialist, to explore how the Procurement Act is shaping public sector procurement in practice.
Drawing on her experience supporting both procurement teams and suppliers, Gemma shares her perspective on the implementation of the Act, the opportunities it creates for bidders, and the practical steps organisations can take to prepare for the future of public sector procurement.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and welcome
01:20 – Gemma's career journey and experience across procurement and bidding
05:55 – First impressions of the Procurement Act and how expectations have evolved
10:20 – One year on: has the implementation delivered?
13:20 – How buyers and suppliers have adapted to the new legislation
18:00 – Are the reforms making public procurement more accessible for SMEs?
23:50 – Building better relationships between procurement and bidding teams
28:00 – What meaningful pre-market engagement looks like
31:20 – How suppliers can make the most of pre-market engagement
36:35 – Understanding the Competitive Flexible Procedure
41:10 – The new skills bid teams will need, from negotiation to commercial engagement
45:55 – What's next for the Procurement Act and public sector procurement?
53:50 – Quick-fire questions and Gemma's advice for bidders
In this episode, you'll learn
Key Takeaways
✔ Build relationships with buyers before opportunities are released.
✔ Focus on meaningful pre-market engagement rather than simply attending supplier events.
✔ Develop negotiation and commercial skills alongside traditional bid writing expertise.
✔ Understand how your key customers are implementing the Procurement Act.
✔ Treat the Procurement Act as an opportunity to become more strategic, not just more compliant.
Featured Guest
Gemma Waring is Director of G Waring Consulting, a procurement consultant, trainer and public sector tendering specialist. She works with both buyers and suppliers, helping organisations improve procurement, bidding and commercial performance through consultancy and training.
Resources Mentioned
UK Procurement Act
National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS)
Competitive Flexible Procedure
APMP UK Chapter
G Waring Consulting
VisibleThread
Connect
Follow Gemma Waring and Matt Light on LinkedIn for more insights on public sector procurement, bidding and business development.
View all episodes
By VisibleThreadMore than a year after the UK Procurement Act came into force, what has changed for buyers, suppliers, and bid teams?
In this episode of the Optimize Podcast, Matt Light is joined by Gemma Waring, Director of G Waring Consulting, procurement consultant, trainer, and public sector tendering specialist, to explore how the Procurement Act is shaping public sector procurement in practice.
Drawing on her experience supporting both procurement teams and suppliers, Gemma shares her perspective on the implementation of the Act, the opportunities it creates for bidders, and the practical steps organisations can take to prepare for the future of public sector procurement.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and welcome
01:20 – Gemma's career journey and experience across procurement and bidding
05:55 – First impressions of the Procurement Act and how expectations have evolved
10:20 – One year on: has the implementation delivered?
13:20 – How buyers and suppliers have adapted to the new legislation
18:00 – Are the reforms making public procurement more accessible for SMEs?
23:50 – Building better relationships between procurement and bidding teams
28:00 – What meaningful pre-market engagement looks like
31:20 – How suppliers can make the most of pre-market engagement
36:35 – Understanding the Competitive Flexible Procedure
41:10 – The new skills bid teams will need, from negotiation to commercial engagement
45:55 – What's next for the Procurement Act and public sector procurement?
53:50 – Quick-fire questions and Gemma's advice for bidders
In this episode, you'll learn
Key Takeaways
✔ Build relationships with buyers before opportunities are released.
✔ Focus on meaningful pre-market engagement rather than simply attending supplier events.
✔ Develop negotiation and commercial skills alongside traditional bid writing expertise.
✔ Understand how your key customers are implementing the Procurement Act.
✔ Treat the Procurement Act as an opportunity to become more strategic, not just more compliant.
Featured Guest
Gemma Waring is Director of G Waring Consulting, a procurement consultant, trainer and public sector tendering specialist. She works with both buyers and suppliers, helping organisations improve procurement, bidding and commercial performance through consultancy and training.
Resources Mentioned
UK Procurement Act
National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS)
Competitive Flexible Procedure
APMP UK Chapter
G Waring Consulting
VisibleThread
Connect
Follow Gemma Waring and Matt Light on LinkedIn for more insights on public sector procurement, bidding and business development.