Award

Student Recruitment Marketing Services

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

12 Jan 2026 at 13:10

Summary of the contracting process

Aston University, based in Birmingham, has completed the procurement process for "Student Recruitment Marketing Services," falling under the industry category of Advertising Services (CPV code 79341000). The process involved a selective procurement method, executed as a call-off from the ESPO Advertising Solutions framework, specifically Lot 4 for Student Marketing. The awarded contract, valued at £2,500,000, commenced on 1st January 2026 and will run until 31st December 2027, with options to extend for a further three years until the end of 2030. The award was made on 28th October 2025 to SMRS Ltd, a Manchester-based SME, with the contract notice published on 12th January 2026.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for growth within the marketing and advertising sector, particularly for firms with expertise in student recruitment and media planning across various digital platforms. It is especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises capable of delivering tailored marketing solutions. The procurement process's structure allows such businesses to leverage their agility and specialised market insights, positioning themselves competitively to support educational institutions in enhancing their recruitment strategies.

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Notice Title

Student Recruitment Marketing Services

Notice Description

Services include, but are not limited to: - Media planning and buying across managed digital platforms (including PPC and paid social), education channels and above-the-line media - Campaign reporting and optimisation - Sector insight and expertise Awarded following a further competition via the ESPO Advertising Solutions framework (Lot 4 - Student Marketing). Options to extend for a further 3 years to 31/12/2030.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1c91e9a2-936d-4b02-9e05-0ee9ff4760ff
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7649ad7e-0ada-4c56-9942-9c5dabea928f
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79341000 - Advertising services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Oct 20253 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Jacob Rankine
Contact Email
j.rankine@aston.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

S M R S

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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