The May 2025 CPO Advisory Forum brought together over 50 senior procurement leaders from across local government, collectively responsible for more than £26.9 billion in public sector spend. Representing approximately 22% of total local government expenditure, the forum prides itself on providing an open and collaborative space to discuss sector specific challenges, exchange practical experience and support improved outcomes across public procurement. CPO Advisory is fast becoming an influential platform for advancing public procurement policy, practice, and innovation in the UK.
Hosted by Oxygen Finance and supported by strategic partner Local Partnerships and sponsor Nomia, the event delivered a packed agenda of thought leadership, supplier insight, and practical collaboration—with contributors engaging with a highly knowledgeable audience.
The agenda is determined by CPO Advisory Members and we were privileged to be joined by Lindsay Maguire, Cabinet Office. The forum welcomed its new Chair, Scott Funnell, Head of Strategic Procurement and Governance at London Borough of Croydon, who follows in the footsteps of outgoing Chair Laura Lee, Assistant Director of Procurement – Policy and Strategic Development, Essex County Council. Attendees included representatives from the LGA, CCS, NEPO, YPO, and local authorities from across the country.
CPO Advisory Forum in Numbers:
Policy and Market Insight
Keynote speaker Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform at the Cabinet Office, led the policy update, highlighting the latest developments in the Procurement Act. Key takeaways included the rising use of pre-market engagement notices—over 1,200 issued in two months—as well as the growing importance of commercial data in informing long-term strategies. Discussions explored social value monitoring, public interest tests, and risk mitigation through the debarment list.
Supplier Perspective
Steven Gregory, Head of Strategic Procurement at AECOM, shared a supplier-side perspective, focusing on the need for early engagement, pipeline clarity, and longer-term frameworks. He emphasised how suppliers can better align to public sector priorities such as decarbonisation, social value, and strong governance when supported by consistent processes and expectations.
Contract Management in Practice
A contract management workshop hosted by Local Partnerships focused on capacity building and best practice sharing, drawing on experience and feedback gained through the Contract Management Pioneer Programme. Three areas of discussion took place under the following themes: The workforce: changing requirements and competencies, Measuring the health: creating an overview of how well contracts are delivered, and Decision-making: assurance boards and early decision-making linked to pipelines.
Driving Local Economic Impact
The event concluded on a high note with a showcase of a new below-threshold spend initiative, led by STAR Procurement in partnership with Nomia. Lorraine Cox, Director, STAR introduced the pilot project, aimed at increasing SME access and boosting local spend in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, and reported early successes including high SME uptake and improved competitive outcomes. The model offers a promising approach for regional economic resilience and inclusive procurement.
Looking Ahead
The CPO Advisory Forum continues to grow in both scale and impact, offering a unique platform for knowledge exchange, sector leadership, and strategic partnerships. With live and virtual sessions scheduled throughout the year, the forum provides attendees and contributors with an opportunity to shape the future of public procurement.
The next forum will be held virtually on 11 June 2025, focusing on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, and will explore procurement’s pivotal role in shaping the new structures and services arising from these reforms. Find out more.
Join CPO Advisory
If you’re a procurement leader working within the public sector and you’d like to learn more about CPO Advisory and how you can get involved, please contact us for further details.
Are you a public sector supplier wanting to engage with senior procurement leaders?
We’re keen to hear from organisations who work in partnership with local authorities, who can bring expertise and guidance to the forum as they meet new challenges and strive to work more collaboratively with suppliers. If you feel that your organisation has insight that would benefit the forum, please email CPOAdvisory@oxygen-finance.com to express your interest.
