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Natural England Chair Executive Search

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

01 Sep 2026 at 09:37

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defra Commercial procured executive search services for Natural England’s Chair appointment. The requirement is classified as executive services and is a services contract. The work is associated with Natural England and may be delivered across the United Kingdom and internationally, including Europe, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories and the rest of the world. The buying organisation is Defra Commercial, based at 17 Smith Square, London. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, making it relevant to specialist executive search firms of different organisational types. The procurement concerns a focused leadership recruitment assignment rather than general staffing or broader consultancy services.

The procurement has been completed and awarded. Defra Commercial used a direct single-tender action below the threshold. The tender submission deadline was 13 July 2026 at noon. The contract was awarded to Saxton on 1 September 2026 for £30,000. The contract period runs from 13 August 2026 to 13 February 2027. There was one requirement, covering the Natural England Chair executive search. The award is active. The published evaluation approach is reflected in the use of a single tender action rather than an open competition. The outcome identifies Saxton as the selected supplier. The opportunity was suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, but the procurement route was a direct award rather than a multi-supplier tender.

This award is evidence of a defined requirement for specialist executive search services supporting the appointment of a public body chair. Firms competing when a similar requirement returns would need credible executive search capability, experience of senior leadership recruitment and the capacity to manage a focused chair-level assignment for a public sector client. The buyer’s acceptance of SME and VCSE participation indicates that this type of work can suit specialist boutiques as well as larger search businesses. Relevant suppliers should be able to operate across the United Kingdom and, where required, support searches involving Europe, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories and international locations. Understanding public sector leadership appointments and responding through a direct, below-threshold route would also be commercially relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Natural England Chair Executive Search

Notice Description

Natural England Chair Executive Search

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-e3c24b8b-61af-4e09-a7ae-489b9b4a030c
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ee207cd4-6612-4c5d-b7f5-305094d25353
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Single tender action (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75111100 - Executive services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
13 Aug 2026 - 13 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Saxton

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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