Tender

Creative Agency Services

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

05 Dec 2025 at 16:09

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by First Greater Western Limited seeks a strategic and creative lead agency partner to support their "Creative Agency Services" for travel and rail marketing. As a private utility operating in the United Kingdom, the company aims to elevate its marketing communications within the rail and travel sectors. The procurement, categorised under advertising and marketing services, is currently in the tender stage with important dates including the expression of interest deadline on 9th January 2026 and the award period ending on 8th May 2026. This competitive flexible procedure will be conducted through stages, including initial ITT and negotiations. The location scope covers multiple regions across the UK, offering a substantial opportunity with a contract value of up to £8 million, renewable up to five years.

This tender presents a prime opportunity for businesses specialising in advertising and marketing services, particularly those with experience in creative strategy and travel marketing. The procurement offers significant business growth potential, given the high-profile nature of the client and the potential creative impact. Firms that value sustainable practices may find this opportunity especially appealing, as ESG and sustainability are weighted criteria. SMEs are encouraged to participate given their suitable profile. The procurement process is inclusive, allowing electronic submissions in English. Successful bidders will have the chance to influence and enhance the branding and strategies of Great Western Railway, contributing to its brand fame and revenue impact across its expansive UK rail network.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Creative Agency Services

Notice Description

This is an exciting opportunity to become the creative and strategic agency partner for a trailblazing train operating company with big ambitions to raise the bar in travel marketing, driving powerful revenue impact and brand fame. We want to be the train operator that bucks the trend not only in the world of rail but in the travel category, implementing best-in-class travel marketing communications that excites customers to get on board and experience our world-class network. GWR has received significant peer and industry recognition in recent years for our long-running Famous Five creative strategy, including being named the 'UK's most consistent brand' by System1 as well as our most recent campaign being ranked in the top 3% of all travel ads in the country for distinctiveness, in a recent study done by Kantar. We are looking for a strategic and creative lead agency partner to help to continue this incredible success with the Famous Five campaign that has helped to drive customers' inspiration and excitement to get onboard with GWR for an adventure. This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of Great Western Railway. That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of DfT OLR Holdings Limited and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of First Greater Western Limited, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: An initial 3 year contract followed by 2 x 12 months optional extensions. Contract term 5 years if fully extended. Estimated contract value is based on full 5-year term.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f017
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080311-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible 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

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@gwr.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN1 1HL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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