Tender

Senior Recruitment Services for Medicines Discovery Catapult

MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

24 Apr 2026 at 12:40

TenderUpdate

19 Nov 2025 at 15:00

Tender

19 Nov 2025 at 14:56

Summary of the contracting process

The Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited, a sub-central government public authority located in Macclesfield, United Kingdom, initiated a procurement process for Senior Recruitment Services. The procurement was aimed at establishing an Executive and Senior Search contract to source senior or specialised staff. The tender process fell under the services category and utilised the open procedure procurement method. This contracting process had various stages, including tender updates and a cancellation following an internal review on 24 April 2026 due to organisational changes and budgetary adjustments. Key deadlines included the tender period ending on 16 December 2025, with a potential award period closing on 19 January 2026.

This tender offered ample opportunities for businesses specialising in recruitment services, particularly those experienced in executive search and headhunting. Companies adept at sourcing high-level roles like Board members, CEO, C-suite, and senior leadership positions across various disciplines were well-suited to bid. While MDC did not guarantee the volume of work, the contract structure anticipated up to four senior hires per year, including interim staffing needs, providing substantial growth potential for recruitment agencies capable of fulfilling these requirements. Small and medium-sized enterprises could particularly benefit, given the suitability criteria were inclusive of SMEs, with the framework agreement enabling competition and re-evaluation based on supplier capabilities.

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Notice Title

Senior Recruitment Services for Medicines Discovery Catapult

Notice Description

Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) are establishing an Executive and Senior Search contract to meet MDC's requirements. MDC do not guarantee any volume or value of work from this Executive and Senior Search contract; however, it is MDC's intention to use the contract for the search and replacement of specific roles. However, the MDC reserve the right to procure services outside of the contract if it sees fit. The contract includes the search, headhunting and recruitment of roles within MDC to source senior or specialist staff. The typical scope of roles / vacancies will include, but are not limited to: Board roles CEO C suite Senior Leadership roles across all disciplines Niche / specific roles All of the above to include: Permanent staff; Fixed Term Staff; Temporary Staff; and Contractors. MDC do not guarantee any volume or value of work from this contract. The value of work is calculated at a potential average of four senior hires per year, along with any interim requirements. With a significant portion of the calculated estimated value based on interim staff members approved hours where the chosen supplier makes payment to the interim staff member on behalf of MDC.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Medicines Discovery Catapult will have the option to extend the Contract for a further two 12 month periods, subject to the awarded Suppliers satisfactory performance.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e48f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037600-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Submission Deadline
16 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Feb 2026 - 8 Feb 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MACCLESFIELD
Postcode
SK10 4ZF
Post Town
Stockport
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD62 Cheshire East
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire East
Electoral Ward
Chelford
Westminster Constituency
Tatton

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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