Award

Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies

THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Mar 2026 at 17:07

TenderUpdate

10 Dec 2025 at 13:17

Tender

08 Dec 2025 at 10:41

Summary of the contracting process

The Financial Reporting Council Limited has completed the contract award process for a literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies. The procurement took place under the open competition method and resulted in LPCHINA LTD being awarded the contract, valued at £34,400, starting on 16th February 2026 and ending on 15th May 2026, with potential extension until 30th September 2026. Based in London, the FRC seeks to understand shifts in UK corporate structures through analysis ranging across various economic and legal disciplines. This initiative aims to inform their regulatory approach and provide insights into changing capital sources within UK markets, including the London Stock Exchange and private equity sectors.

This procurement creates significant business opportunities, especially for SMEs and research-oriented firms capable of navigating complex economic and corporate governance topics. The contract allows for further research services akin to the initial project, highlighting ongoing collaboration potential. Businesses engaging in research and development consultancy services are well-suited to leverage this tender, enhancing their expertise in monitoring market trends and contributing to discussions on corporate governance and policy impacts in the UK and beyond. The open nature of the competition favours businesses with innovative approaches and thorough analytical methodologies.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies

Notice Description

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. As the Competent Authority for audit in the UK, we set auditing and ethical standards and monitor and enforce audit quality. The purpose of the FRC is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work. The FRC was seeking a Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies. The number of UK publicly-listed companies (PLCs) has fallen over the past decade. At the same time more companies are choosing to remain unlisted and financing their growth through private capital . The UK has become Europe's largest private-equity hub, and its leading venture capital market , both of which are funding privately held (non-listed) companies (PHCs). As part of its ongoing market monitoring activities, the FRC was seeking research services to deliver a review of the leading expert literature to understand the scale, trajectory and international context of these changes. As well as potential implications which might arise. This will include peer-reviewed academic research, as well as studies carried out with suitable rigour by professional bodies, industry organisations, and think tanks (grey literature). The review will draw on literature from a range of relevant disciplines including, but not limited to: law, economics, political economy, business, public administration. It should be written to inform non-academic readers about the following: * The leading analyses of evidence on theses changes, including: o The scale, trajectory, and other relevant characteristics. o Views on what might happen next. o The international context from relevant jurisdiction(s). o The causes/drivers of the change and whether they are evolving over time, including evidence on how and why commercial entities choose between different potential sources of funding. * Whether the literature provides any information relevant to understanding any potential impact on: o Our regulation, in particular the effect of shifts in sources of capital when combined with the existing policy landscape and legislative definitions which drive audit and corporate reporting requirements. o Any additional, relevant policy implications for us to consider. The review should be focused on the UK but may also draw on literature that brings insights from other jurisdictions, where clearly relevant. The markets in-scope for this research will include: * London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market * LSE Alternative Investment Market (AIM) * Relevant markets of the Aquis exchange * UK private-equity, venture capital, and private-credit markets We may also include other UK debt and equity markets. This will be discussed with the successful research contractor once appointed. The suggested approach for the Literature Review was: Methodology * Search strategy: databases (e.g. JSTOR, SSRN, Web of Science, Scopus), policy portals, news archives. * Literature: o Inclusion/exclusion criteria should include, but not be limited to: relevance to UK context, credibility/quality/reliability, publication date, citations (or equivalent). o Biases and perspectives to be identified, where present, but not by themselves to be critria for exclusion. * Analytical approach: thematic coding, comparative case analyses, cross-discipliniary comparison (gaps and/or contradictions), synthesis of findings.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: * Additional research services of the same nature.

Renewal: * The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. * To allow for any pause research activities that may impact the timelines.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f072
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021526-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£34,400 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Feb 20262 months ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 15 May 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED
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
E14 9GE
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
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
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LPCHINA

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05f072-2026-03-10T17:07:15Z",
    "date": "2026-03-10T17:07:15Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05f072",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-02486368",
            "name": "THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "02486368"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PLRG-2717-VPBY"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "13th Floor, Exchange Tower, 1 Harbour Exchange Square",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "E14 9GE",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI42"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Procurement@frc.org.uk",
                "name": "Head of Procurement",
                "telephone": "+442074922300"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.frc.org.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-15074073",
            "name": "LPCHINA LTD",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "15074073"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PVWT-4415-PNTT"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "33 Temple Street",
                "locality": "Oxford",
                "postalCode": "OX4 1JS",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "lphalippou@hotmail.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.pelaidbare.com",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-02486368",
        "name": "THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "FRC2025-170",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies",
        "description": "THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. As the Competent Authority for audit in the UK, we set auditing and ethical standards and monitor and enforce audit quality. The purpose of the FRC is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work. The FRC was seeking a Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies. The number of UK publicly-listed companies (PLCs) has fallen over the past decade. At the same time more companies are choosing to remain unlisted and financing their growth through private capital . The UK has become Europe's largest private-equity hub, and its leading venture capital market , both of which are funding privately held (non-listed) companies (PHCs). As part of its ongoing market monitoring activities, the FRC was seeking research services to deliver a review of the leading expert literature to understand the scale, trajectory and international context of these changes. As well as potential implications which might arise. This will include peer-reviewed academic research, as well as studies carried out with suitable rigour by professional bodies, industry organisations, and think tanks (grey literature). The review will draw on literature from a range of relevant disciplines including, but not limited to: law, economics, political economy, business, public administration. It should be written to inform non-academic readers about the following: * The leading analyses of evidence on theses changes, including: o The scale, trajectory, and other relevant characteristics. o Views on what might happen next. o The international context from relevant jurisdiction(s). o The causes/drivers of the change and whether they are evolving over time, including evidence on how and why commercial entities choose between different potential sources of funding. * Whether the literature provides any information relevant to understanding any potential impact on: o Our regulation, in particular the effect of shifts in sources of capital when combined with the existing policy landscape and legislative definitions which drive audit and corporate reporting requirements. o Any additional, relevant policy implications for us to consider. The review should be focused on the UK but may also draw on literature that brings insights from other jurisdictions, where clearly relevant. The markets in-scope for this research will include: * London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market * LSE Alternative Investment Market (AIM) * Relevant markets of the Aquis exchange * UK private-equity, venture capital, and private-credit markets We may also include other UK debt and equity markets. This will be discussed with the successful research contractor once appointed. The suggested approach for the Literature Review was: Methodology * Search strategy: databases (e.g. JSTOR, SSRN, Web of Science, Scopus), policy portals, news archives. * Literature: o Inclusion/exclusion criteria should include, but not be limited to: relevance to UK context, credibility/quality/reliability, publication date, citations (or equivalent). o Biases and perspectives to be identified, where present, but not by themselves to be critria for exclusion. * Analytical approach: thematic coding, comparative case analyses, cross-discipliniary comparison (gaps and/or contradictions), synthesis of findings.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73000000",
                        "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKC",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKE",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKF",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKG",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKC",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKE",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKF",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKG",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 48000,
            "amount": 40000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "By email to procurement@frc.org.uk",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-16T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-12T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 48000,
                    "amount": 40000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2026-05-08T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2026-12-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "* The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. * To allow for any pause research activities that may impact the timelines."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "* Additional research services of the same nature."
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "description": "Quality and Price. See ITT."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "A-8802",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8802",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-8808",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8808",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "080479-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080479-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-08T10:41:26Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-8995",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8995",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "081493-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081493-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-10T13:17:50Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "081493-2025",
                "description": "Document update."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-15074073",
                    "name": "LPCHINA LTD"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73000000",
                            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2026-02-16T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2026-05-15T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2026-09-30T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "up to 4 (four) months extension possible"
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Additional research services of the same nature"
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 34400,
                "amount": 34400,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": false,
            "dateSigned": "2026-02-12T00:00:00Z",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "021526-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021526-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-03-10T17:07:15Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}