SMART PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES
Procurement with purpose: how we’re saving money and staying true to our Co-operative values
DAVE SMITH, Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects at Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, shares his insights with us.
Our Trust Procurement Strategy is more than a policy document - it is a reflection of who we are. Rooted in the co-operative values of equality, equity, democracy, self-help, self- responsibility, and solidarity, our approach ensures that purchasing decisions contribute to something bigger than just savings.
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Why procurement matters more than ever With the Procurement Act 2023 coming into force on 24 February 2025, the way we buy goods and services in the public sector is changing. The new legislation introduces a central digital platform, strengthens transparency, and places a greater emphasis on social value, sustainability, and supporting SMEs.
s someone working within a multi-academy trust, I know how challenging it can be to balance tight budgets with rising expectations. Every pound we spend must be justified - not just in terms of cost, but in terms of impact. At Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, we have taken a fresh look at procurement, not just as a financial exercise, but as a strategic opportunity to live our Co-operative values, support our communities, and build a more sustainable future.
For us at Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, this is not just about compliance - it is about opportunity. We have aligned our strategy with the Act’s principles, ensuring that we are not only meeting legal requirements but also maximising the benefits for our schools, our communities, suppliers and the environment.
Finding savings in unexpected places One of the most powerful lessons we have learned is that savings do not always come from cutting corners - they come from
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thinking smarter. Here are some of the ways we have found efficiencies that might be flying under the radar for other trusts:
• Centralisation with consent. We are moving away from fragmented purchasing by encouraging Trust-wide agreements. But we do this with the involvement of, and consultation with, our schools. By pooling resources and negotiating multi- year contracts, we are reducing duplication, improving service quality, and unlocking better pricing - without compromising autonomy.
• Strategic supplier categorisation. We classify suppliers based on spend thresholds, which helps us apply the right level of scrutiny to each procurement. This means we are not bogged down in bureaucracy for low-risk purchases, but we are rigorous where it counts.
• Leveraging frameworks and partnerships. We make full use of DfE- approved frameworks and the Get Help Buying for Schools service. These tools help us streamline procurement, ensure compliance, and save time. Catalogue purchases from these frameworks are
September 2025
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