NWUPC

🔹Keynote Panel Discussion: Procurement Act 2023 – Where Are We Now? - A dynamic and engaging panel discussion that brings together 4 leading voices in procurement to explore the current state of implementation today and impact of the Procurement Act 2023. The session will provide valuable day to day insights and foster lively debate to energise attendees at the conference. Our panel of procurement experts as they discuss the real-world impact of the Procurement Act 2023, sharing practical advice and strategies for success.

🔹 Procurement’s Blind Spots: Market Concentration and Supplier Diversity - Professor Jo Meehan, Professor of Responsible Procurement at the University of Liverpool and the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Business at the University of Liverpool’s Management School, explores how market concentration impacts procurement strategies and how institutions can promote supplier diversity. Public procurement is meant to open doors for SMEs - but is it closing them instead? Despite their role in driving local economic growth and innovation, many SMEs remain locked out of public contracts. In this talk, Professor Meehan shares insights from her award-winning research, revealing how procurement aggregation creates supply market concentration with far-reaching commercial, economic, and social implications. The evidence uncovers a critical blind spot: how well-intended efficiency measures are reshaping competition, reinforcing market dominance, and weakening supply chain resilience. This session invites a deeper conversation on the future of supplier diversity in public procurement.

🔹 Shaping the Commercial Future of Procurement in Higher Education - Gemma Waring, Senior Consultant at BiP Solutions. Gain insights into emerging trends and strategies shaping the future of procurement in HE. Focusing on:

• The strategic value of frameworks in driving commercial success
• Innovative approaches to leveraging frameworks for better outcomes
• Practical negotiation techniques to maximise value
• Peer discussions on sector-specific challenges

This is a must-attend session for procurement professionals looking to enhance their commercial impact and gain valuable insights!

🔹 Suppliers and Sustainability in HE: 10 Years of Impact and Engagement - Sheri-Leigh Miles, Director of NETpositive Futures, examines the evolving role of sustainability in procurement and its impact on supplier engagement. This session will explore the journey of sector collaboration that has supported suppliers and procurement teams including the evolving role of procurement professionals and the critical skills needed to drive Carbon Net Zero initiatives. Sheri-Leigh will reflect on a decade of supplier development, the impact of NWUPC member collaboration, and what the next ten years could look like. Expect actionable insights on aligning procurement with institutional, governmental and global sustainability goals! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of sustainable procurement!

🔹 Leveraging Procurement for Good: Driving Social Responsibility - Kate Sullivan, Director of Affiliate Engagement at Electronics Watch, discusses responsible procurement and how institutions can drive meaningful social change. This essential session on how Higher Education procurement professionals can drive real social impact through responsible procurement. Session Highlights will include:

• Take concrete steps to embed social sustainability into your procurements.
• Understand Electronics Watch and its mission to protect workers’ rights in electronics supply chains.
• Maximise your membership benefits—from supplier compliance to worker remedies and institutional accountability.

🔹 Transformation and Efficiency in Higher Education - Ed Castell – Head of Strategy and Insight, Universities UK looks at a new era of collaboration which is reshaping the UK higher education sector amid increasing financial pressures and the need for greater cost-cutting. With universities facing tighter budgets and rising costs, sector-wide solutions are vital. Universities UK’s Transformation and Efficiency Task Force is leading the charge, exploring bold and innovative strategies to drive efficiency and long-term savings.

Join us to gain valuable insights on:

• The growing financial challenges impacting higher education.
• How sector-wide transformation is supporting cost reduction.
• The pivotal role of procurement in delivering efficiencies.
• How collaborative approaches are driving sustainable savings and innovation.

🔹 5 Habits for Using the Power and Connection of Kindness at Work and Beyond - Sarah Browning, Time for Kindness Programme. Discover how fostering a culture of kindness can enhance workplace engagement and procurement relationships. In this interactive and inspiring session, Sarah will explore:

• What kindness really is—and where to find it.
• How kindness benefits individuals and organisations (backed by research!).
• 5 powerful habits to bring more kindness into your work and daily life.

Get ready to share stories, spark connections, and feel the incredible energy of kindness in action!

🔹 Unlocking the Procurement Act for Suppliers - Join the NWUPC team for an exclusive session designed specifically for exhibitors at #NWUPC25. Providing crucial insights into how the Procurement Act 2023 will shape procurement decisions in the HE and public sectors.

Framework suppliers at the exhibition can take this opportunity to better understand how the Procurement Act will influence supplier engagement, tendering opportunities, and framework agreements – ensuring you are ready to thrive in the evolving procurement landscape.