The UK public sector spends over £380 billion annually, yet much of its procurement potential remains untapped as a driver of innovation. This guide demonstrates how preliminary market engagement (PME) can diversify the supplier base by engaging SMEs and new entrants, capture cutting-edge innovations, foster buyer-supplier collaboration for mutual value creation, and mitigate risks by refining procurement requirements early in the process.

Pre-market engagement is the key to finding innovative solutions to pressing challenges. This guide is your essential tool for unlocking the public sector’s potential to deliver transformative outcomes.

Rikesh Shah, Head of IPEC

Engaging with supply chains early creates informed clients, inspires innovative thinking, and ensures projects deliver maximum value.

John Mead, Partner, Gardiner & Theobald

• Best practices for PME: Explore actionable strategies, including tactical and strategic PME approaches, to drive sustainable and innovative public sector outcomes.

• Becoming an informed client: Learn how understanding market dynamics and engaging with supply chains early creates smarter, more effective procurement processes.

• Leveraging the Procurement Act 2023: Discover how the Act empowers flexibility and transparency to support innovative outcomes while creating more opportunities for SMEs.