UK Universities Procurement Consortia (UKUPC) has published its new Strategy for 2026–2029, setting out a clear and ambitious plan to strengthen collaborative procurement across UK higher education.

Strengthening procurement’s strategic role

The strategy positions procurement as a driver of institutional resilience, sustainability and long-term value, rather than simply a transactional function. Through its member-owned shared services model, UKUPC will support institutions to maximise value, manage risk, and respond confidently to a rapidly changing procurement environment.

A clear strategic ambition

The 2026-2029 strategy is built around three core themes:

• Value creation – maximising the commercial, strategic and societal benefits of collaborative procurement
• Sector understanding – using UKUPC’s deep knowledge of higher education and public procurement to respond to members’ evolving needs
• Future focus – developing services and partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes for members.

Over the next three years, UKUPC will increase collaborative procurement activity, expand shared services, and strengthen strategic partnerships that help members achieve their long-term objectives.

Four focus areas delivering for members

Delivery will be driven through four interconnected focus areas:

• Strategic Procurement: enhancing frameworks, supplier engagement, and value-added services
• Digital Enablement: improving access to procurement data, analytics and emissions reporting
• Responsible Procurement: embedding ethical, environmental and social value considerations across procurement activity
• Communications and Training: increasing awareness, capability and engagement through clear communications, events, and professional development.

Working collaboratively with the sector

The UKUPC Strategy 2026-2029 has been developed with a strong emphasis on collaboration, recognising that the greatest value is achieved when members, consortia partners and suppliers work together.

By aligning procurement expertise, digital capability, responsible practice and effective engagement, UKUPC aims to help institutions deliver lasting value for students, communities, and the wider public sector.

Demonstrating impact across the sector

Alongside the strategy, UKUPC has published its Impact Statement 2024-25, showcasing the outcomes delivered through collaborative procurement in the previous reporting period. The report highlights achievements across financial sustainability, responsible procurement, digital innovation, and sector-wide collaboration.

Together, the strategy and impact statement demonstrate both the value UKUPC is delivering today, and its ambitions for the future.

The UKUPC Strategy 2026-2029 Overview and UKUPC Impact Statement 2024-25 are now available to members, framework suppliers, public sector partners, and staff. We encourage everyone involved with UKUPC to engage with the strategy, explore the opportunities it presents, and work with us to maximise the impact of collaborative procurement across the sector.