Tender

Executive & Non-Executive Search 3

CROWN COMMERCIAL SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

05 Jan 2026 at 11:34

Planning

30 May 2025 at 09:04

Summary of the contracting process

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has initiated a tender process for the "Executive & Non-Executive Search 3," which aims to recruit senior leaders and public appointments through a framework agreement. The contract covers recruitment services across the United Kingdom, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Jersey, with an estimated value of £120 million. The procurement stage is currently active with the tender process set to close on 3rd February 2026. CCS, a central government public authority, has laid out various core and non-core service modules for the framework, such as candidate identification and evaluation, talent mapping, and psychometric analysis. Interested parties can submit their proposals through an open procedure, which allows for electronic submission.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to its open framework agreement that accommodates both competitive and non-competitive selection processes. Companies specialising in executive search, headhunting, or HR consultancy services will find this tender beneficial, especially those capable of supporting senior-level recruitment in public sector organisations. With specific lots focusing on different leadership tiers, businesses with expertise in executive coaching, strategic workforce planning, and talent development services are well-positioned to compete effectively. Additionally, the opportunity for an extension by 12 months provides further avenues for long-term collaboration and business growth.

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Notice Title

Executive & Non-Executive Search 3

Notice Description

This framework facilitates the recruitment of executive and non-executive positions via specialist agencies. Executive Search (also known as "headhunting" or "retained search") supports the identification and hiring of senior leaders, C-Suite candidates, and Non-Executive Directors by using specialised services to target highly qualified candidates. This framework helps to recruit senior civil servants and public appointments (or equivalent) and will replace RM6290 Executive Search. This agreement will provide similar services to RM6290 Executive Search and will be defined as core or non-core. Core modular services include: -Buyer Planning -Candidate Identification and Attraction -Candidate Assessment and Evaluation -Offer and Appointment Non-core modular services include: -Strategy and Planning -Talent Development Services -Talent Mapping -Reserve Lists & Talent Pools -Executive Development and Coaching -Technology Services -International Recruitment There are also two new non-core services available: -Psychometric Analysis -Market Mapping Please be aware that the UK1 Pipeline notice notice was published under OCID ocds-h6vhtk-050238

Lot Information

Executive Search - Grade 6, SCS1 & SCS2 (and equivalents)

Civil Service Grades: Grade 6, SCS1 (Deputy Director) (or equivalent) and SCS2 (Director) (or equivalent) NHS Grades: AfC Bands 8(a) - 9, NP4 - ST3-5, NP5 - ST6-8, Consultancy (Level 1 - 8), VSM (Executive Directors and Other Second Level Very Senior Managers) Wider Public Sector: Local Government - Principal Officer 8-12, Assistant Director, Divisional Director, Head of Service, Corporate Director 2 (and equivalents), Corporate Director 1, Strategic Director 1 & 2, Executive Director, Assistant Director, Director (and equivalents)

Renewal: Option to extend by 12 months.

Executive Search - SCS3 & SCS4 (and equivalents)

Civil Service Grades: SCS3 (Director General) and SCS4 (Permanent Secretary) (or equivalent) NHS Grades: VSM (Chief Executives) Wider Public Sector: Local Government - Chief Executive

Renewal: Option to extend by 12 months.

Non-Executive and Public Appointments

Non-Executive and Public Appointments: Chair, Commissioner, Member, Non Executive Director, Adjudicator, Trustee, Ombudsman, Chief Inspector

Renewal: Option to extend by 12 months.

Planning Information

Market engagement for RM6394 began in January 25, with pre market engagement for customers (two sessions split for Central Government and Wider Public Sector customers, stakeholders (meetings with GPG and the Public Appointments Team). A survey was also issued to customers to complete. As well as this, supplier engagement was also completed, there was a supplier survey issued to incumbent suppliers and any supplier who expressed an interest in the agreement, and there were three sessions solely for supplier engagement, one supplier day open to all interested suppliers as well as two dedicated SME sessions took place. All sessions were virtual to remove logistical and financial barriers to attend. Based on the feedback from pre market engagement, options are being proposed and there will be further market engagement to come post April 25 to test more specifics of the framework and the envisaged structure. Any interested parties yet to express an interest can find contact details here: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/rm6394

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05295b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000228-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
3 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
24 Jun 2026 - 24 Jun 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CROWN COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
supplier@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 3454102222

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 9PP
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
City Centre North
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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