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T1193 - Effectiveness Review of Council

University of Essex

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

19 Aug 2026 at 12:04

Award Notice
Award

18 Jun 2026 at 10:01

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Essex procured independent external review services for the effectiveness of its Council and committees. The work covers a full governance effectiveness review in 2026, including assurance for internal and external stakeholders, identification of improvement priorities and tracking of outstanding actions from the previous review. The requirement supports the Committee of University Chairs Higher Education Code of Governance, which recommends regular, robust reviews with independent input. The final report was required for presentation to Council by its meeting on 9 July 2026 at the latest. This is a professional business and management consultancy service, delivered for the University of Essex in Colchester. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and is not reserved for voluntary, community or social enterprises.

This procurement is complete and has been awarded. The University of Essex used a limited procedure through competitive quotation below the public procurement threshold. The tender submission deadline was 16 June 2026, and the award was made on 16 June 2026. Huron Consulting Services Ltd was selected for a contract worth £28,500. The contract period runs from 17 June 2026 to 31 December 2027. The procurement was evaluated as a single service requirement, with the published scope centred on an independent review of Council and committee effectiveness and a final report for Council. The award was active when recorded. No separate lots were used, and the procurement did not identify additional suppliers or separate awarded values.

This award demonstrates demand from the University of Essex for specialist, independent governance review capability. A credible future supplier would need experience assessing the effectiveness of university or similarly complex organisational boards and committees, gathering evidence from relevant stakeholders, and producing an impartial report that can support assurance and practical improvement. The work also calls for the ability to examine progress against actions from an earlier review and present clear findings to senior governing bodies. Firms that understand higher education governance and the Committee of University Chairs Higher Education Code of Governance would be well placed to compete. The opportunity is accessible to SMEs, while the selected supplier shows that established consultancy capacity is also relevant. Core strengths are independent judgement, governance evaluation, stakeholder engagement and concise board-level reporting.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

T1193 - Effectiveness Review of Council

Notice Description

The University of Essex is looking to appoint an independent external reviewer to undertake a review of the effectiveness of Council and its committees in 2026 with a view to the final report being presented to Council at the meeting of 9 July 2026, at the latest. This is in line with the requirements of the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Higher Education Code of Governance (September 2020) at 5.13 "HEIs must conduct a regular, full and robust review of governance effectiveness with some degree of independent input. This will provide assurance to internal and external stakeholders and allow a mechanism to focus on improvement and chart progress towards achieving any outstanding actions arising from the last effectiveness review. It is recommended this review takes place every three years."

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-f76de1eb-c9a9-460a-9963-a35df758f8e1
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/69a68c22-0b2b-46d1-bbe5-6959cdb0e89f
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Competitive quotation (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£28,500 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£28,500 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
17 Jun 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Essex
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLCHESTER
Postcode
CO4 3SQ
Postcode Area
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Wivenhoe
Westminster Constituency
Harwich and North Essex

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Huron Consulting Services Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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