How can earlier engagement with the market help public sector clients procure better? Join us for the launch of Future of London’s new report, Procuring Better: putting pre-market engagement first, to find out how the industry can improve outcomes by starting procurement earlier.
Procurement is a powerful lever for delivering better outcomes in London’s built environment, but it can also be complex, risk-averse and focused on short-term value. Our latest research explored how public sector clients can make procurement work better, and one message came back consistently: market engagement often happens too late.
Drawing on conversations with public sector clients and experienced contractors and specialists, the research shows how earlier, more structured engagement helps clients understand market capability, develop clearer briefs, build trust with suppliers, reduce risk and create better outcomes for communities.
What to expect
At this launch we’ll share the findings of the research and explore what they mean in practice:
- Why pre-market engagement matters: the challenges created when engagement happens too late, and the benefits of starting conversations earlier.
- What good engagement looks like: practical approaches to building trust with suppliers, writing clearer briefs, embedding social value from the start and creating better opportunities for SMEs.
- From insight to action: a first look at the report, including practical recommendations to help clients put these approaches into practice.
A panel of experienced practitioners will share real examples of how earlier market engagement has shaped better briefs, built stronger relationships and improved procurement outcomes, followed by time to network with peers from across the sector.
Speakers
- Kyle Buchanan, Director, Archio
- Rory Evans, Regional Director, LHC Procurement Group
- Nicola Mathers, Chief Executive, Future of London (Chair)
- Federico Ortiz, Director of Programmes, Future of London
- Adwoa Owusu-Banahene, Founder, TOBS Consultancy
More to be confirmed
Who should attend
Local authority and public sector teams working in housing, regeneration, procurement, commissioning, development and project delivery — as well as organisations that work with public sector clients.
Join us as we explore how starting procurement earlier could lead to better projects, stronger partnerships and greater value for communities.
When: Tuesday 10 November 5:30 to 8pm
Where: In person, EC1N
The session is free to attend. Register your interest to join us.
Thanks to our programme sponsors
Montagu Evans | Pollard Thomas Edwards | Potter Raper | LHC Procurement | Ridge and Partners
RSVP
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