Created: 17th June, 2025
Robert joined Barker in 2002 and is a Partner based in our Braintree office. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he has over 20 years’ experience of all core building surveying services and provides strategic estates advice to key accounts in the education, commercial, ecclesiastical and public sectors.
An education specialist, he provides the following services: estates and energy strategy, asset management planning, project management and capital funding applications.
Robert works closely with clients to plan and implement energy efficiency and sustainability strategies to save money, reduce carbon emissions and meet ESG objectives.
As a RICS Certified Historic Buildings Professional he provides conservation consultancy for clients with listed and historic buildings.
Robert is an experienced APC Assessor and Chairman and is also an external examiner for Anglia Ruskin University
As a Partner Robert leads the Business Development and Marketing function at Barker, builds relationships with key sector bodies and helps steer the strategic growth of the company.
Email: rgould@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 01279 648057
With the new Procurement Act 2023 having come into force on 24th February 2025, public sector organisations face a fundamental shift in how they procure goods, works, and services. Designed to replace the EU-influenced Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Act aims to simplify and streamline public procurement, making it more transparent, flexible, and focused on public value.
To help navigate the changes, Rob Gould from Barker sat down with Jessica Brydon, Director of Procurement, Quality and Compliance at Place Group, to discuss the topic and break down what schools, MATs, and public sector estates teams need to know.
Rob Gould (RG): Jessica, thanks for joining us. Let’s start simple. What’s the aim of the Procurement Act 2023?
Jessica Brydon (JB): “The Act is really about simplifying the procurement regime post-Brexit. It’s about making it more flexible, more transparent, and giving public bodies better tools to manage supplier performance and drive value. At the heart of it are core principles; transparency, integrity, value for money, and maximising public benefit.”
RG: A lot of people are asking, does this apply to existing contracts?
JB: “Good question. No, it doesn’t apply retroactively. If a procurement process began before 24 February 2025, meaning a contract notice was already published, it stays under the old rules. The new Act will only govern procurements started after that date”.
RG: Let’s talk about the Central Digital Platform. What is it and what do clients and suppliers need to do?
JB: “The Central Digital Platform, via the Find a Tender service, is now the one-stop shop for all public sector procurement activity. Contracting authorities and suppliers must register here. Suppliers submit compliance info via a share code, which streamlines repeat tendering. For clients, publishing notices is mandatory, and if you’re using a third-party procurement provider, you’ll need to issue an API key so they can publish on your behalf”.
RG: You mentioned transparency earlier. What’s new in that area?
JB: “There’s a big increase in required notices. Everything from market engagement and planned procurement to performance, contract changes, and termination needs to be formally published. It’s a step-change in how transparent the procurement process will be. It helps suppliers see what’s coming and understand outcomes better”.
RG: Has anything changed in how contracts are awarded?
JB: “Yes, the new term is Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), replacing MEAT. It means contracts can now be awarded on an optimal mix of price, quality, and social value. There’s more emphasis on clear, proportionate criteria and documented justification. Especially with the introduction of assessment summaries that must be shared before contracts are awarded”.
“At the heart of it are core principles; transparency, integrity, value for money, and maximising public benefit.”
RG: Frameworks and Dynamic Markets, how do they work now?
JB: “Frameworks remain familiar, but you can now choose open ones where new suppliers can join over time. Dynamic Markets are new, they allow continual supplier entry and must always be open. Both models are about increasing flexibility and competition, and in many cases, reducing procurement timelines. But they require careful management to stay compliant”.
RG: Let’s talk KPIs. What’s expected from clients and suppliers?
JB: “For contracts over £5 million, clients must set a minimum of three KPIs, and assess supplier performance annually and at contract termination. This assessment must be published as a contract performance notice. It’s about holding suppliers to account, with clear benchmarks from the start”.
RG: What happens if you want to modify a contract mid-term?
JB: “There are now ten specific legal grounds for modification; things like unforeseen circumstances, additional goods or restructuring. If your reason doesn’t fall within those, the modification won’t be compliant. One key exception is for ‘Light Touch’ contracts, which are more flexible”.
RG: Are there key responsibilities for schools and MATs in particular?
JB: “Yes, schools are exempt from some notices like payment transparency as well as below-threshold procurement requirements. However, they still need to register on the platform, publish all required notices on Find a Tender, follow the new tendering procedures, and manage supplier performance. It’s important they also review conflict assessments at each stage of the procurement process and prepare assessment summaries to share with suppliers before commencing the 8 working day standstill period”.
RG: So, final thoughts, if you had one piece of advice for public sector clients right now, what would it be?
JB: “Start preparing now. Make sure your team is registered on the platform, understands the notice requirements, and starts embedding these changes into your processes. Procurement isn’t just compliance, it’s an opportunity to get better value and outcomes. And help is out there, Place Group and other experts are ready to support.”
Get Expert Guidance on the Procurement Act 2023 and how to integrate this into your estate strategy and delivery of your capital programmes.