BECOME A MEMBER
If you want to be part of a procurement community and want to belong to an organisation that makes your priorities our priorities, then this is the place for you. Check out our membership types, benefits, and the application process below. To apply please complete a membership enquiry form. For information on the requirements to join NWUPC, please read our articles of association and member’s agreement. If you have any further questions before applying, please contact us and our membership team will be happy to help you.
We offer three membership types
FULL MEMBER
Full Membership is open to HE Institutions who become shareholders in NWUPC and gives enhanced level access to all member benefits such as:
- Representation on our Management Council
- Voting rights at our AGM
- Representation on our Strategy Group
- Full access to all of our agreements
- Representation at Category Group Meetings
- Supplier Relationship Management Support
- Access to our online procurement community
- Free of charge CPD
- Free of charge attendance at our Annual Conference
- Cashable and resource savings through collaborative procurement
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Associate Membership is open to other public institutions or organisations and gives associate level access to member benefits such as:
- Full access to all of our agreements
- Representation at Category Group Meetings
- Supplier Relationship Management Support
- Access to our online procurement community
- Free of charge CPD
- Free of charge attendance at our Annual Conference
- Cashable and resource savings through collaborative procurement
AFFILIATE MEMBER
Affiliate Membership is open to all public sector bodies and gives professional level access to member benefits such as:
- Full use of up to three framework agreements
- Support and guidance from expert category managers on framework utilisation
- Cashable and resource savings through collaborative procurement
MEMBER BENEFITS
We unite our members from procurement and technical backgrounds into our procurement community through various member groups that we facilitate. Those with an interest or expertise in specific goods and services are welcomed into our category groups to provide insight into the development and tendering of agreements we manage and across our collaborative agreements under UKUPC. Each group is chaired by a member representative and supported by one of our Category Managers. We also organise tender working parties to assist in drafting tender documentation and evaluating suppler submissions Members involved in a group play a key role in supplier relationship management and performance review throughout agreement lifecycles.
We offer our members access to free of charge continued professional development through our network of leading subject matter experts. Additionally, we organise networking opportunities, conferences and category specific events for our members.
Our priority is our members, involving them in shaping and delivering of all our agreements prior to launch or re-tender. Full members have voting rights to make decisions at our AGM and determine representatives on NWUPC's Ltd Board ensuring we offer an organisation that is truly owned by our Members, for our Members.
NWUPC Ltd works with the other regional purchasing consortia through UKUPC to influence higher education procurement strategy and operations in the interests of our members. The Joint Contracting Group, a focus group, oversees national category and contracting strategies to ensure optimal value and minimise duplication across all delivery partners.
Through our partnership with other regional consortia under the umbrella of UKUPC and with Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), our members have access to a wide range of collaborative procurement agreements for products and services in addition to those that are offered by NWUPC Ltd. Our members have access to market insight, engagement and networking opportunities across our membership and across UKUPC's combined membership.
We offer a diverse portfolio of professionally arranged agreements, and continually expand based on member demand. Our agreements cover a range of goods and services, tailored to meet the unique requirements of our membership.
Our framework agreements are fully compliant with public procurement regulations and are expertly managed, minimising your risk of legal challenges. This saves you valuable time in procurement and guarantees competitive pricing and service quality throughout the agreement's duration.
In 2022/23 NWUPC Ltd members realised £196m in cashable savings through the use of our framework agreements. In addition, members achieved additional non-cash savings of £15.7m and process savings of £13.4m.
NWUPC monitor the financial health of our suppliers through a quarterly report that is obtained from credit checking agency Creditsafe with whom we have a contract shared with all UKUPC partners. Creditsafe is made available to procurement teams from our membership as a free of charge member benefit. You can watch a short video about the benefits of Creditsafe here.
Steps to becoming a Member
- Read the Articles of Association and Members Agreement to understand the requirements to join NWUPC and the benefits of membership.
- Complete the Membership Enquiry Form below.
- Our Membership Team will review your enquiry.
- If you are eligible, complete the Membership Application Documents our Membership Team sends to you.
- We will put you in contact with the Category Manager to provide support on using our Frameworks and provide you with User Guidance Documents.
- We will list your organisation on our website to satisfy compliance and depending on the level of membership we will provide you with the tools and resources that you need.
Membership Enquiry Form
