Award

Audit of HIE Group Companies

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Apr 2026 at 08:24

Tender

08 Jan 2026 at 10:44

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the audit of HIE Group Companies has seen the successful appointment of a supplier to deliver auditing services. Organized by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a regional agency located in Inverness, UKM6, this contract falls under the services industry category, specifically accounting and auditing services (CPV: 79210000). The procurement method was through an open procedure, and the process is now in the award stage, having been completed by 3rd April 2026. The services will commence from 1st April 2026, initially planned for a three-year duration with potential extensions for up to one additional year. The awarded contract was valued at GBP 209,800, excluding VAT, and Saffery Champness LLP was selected as the supplier.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses specializing in financial auditing and accounting services, particularly those experienced in working with public or regional agencies like HIE. It is well-suited for firms that can provide comprehensive audit services, manage annual corporation tax returns, and have expertise in service delivery methodologies and management. Businesses capable of demonstrating strong cyber security credentials, prompt payment, and delivery of community benefits stand to gain considerably from such contracts. The framework's flexible scope offers potential for adaptation based on budgetary and legislative changes, which could lead to expanded opportunities for service providers aligned with HIE and its group companies.

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Notice Title

Audit of HIE Group Companies

Notice Description

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. HIE has appointed a supplier to deliver audit services for its group. HIE currently has five active group companies that require annual audits and consolidation into HIE's Consolidation Pack. In addition, the supplier will be responsible for preparing and submitting the annual corporation tax returns. The services are required from 1st April 2026 for an initial period of 3 years, with HIE having the option to extend for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term. The value of the initial 3-year period is GBP 157,350 (excluding VAT).

Lot Information

Lot 1

This Framework will also be available for use by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd SC614703; HIE Orkney SC126871; HIE Ventures SC156337; Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC) SO306277; Wave Energy Scotland (WES) SC493764 as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE). Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: In accordance with Regulation 72(1)(a) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, HIE reserves the right to make changes to the volume, scope or location of the Services to be supplied under the Framework following a review of the Services by HIE, particularly with regard to demand and budgetary availability. This may result in amendments to existing requirements under the Framework, including but not limited to: -A reduction in HIE available budget may result in lower service levels. -Changes in legislation may increase or decrease the required workload. -The addition or removal of HIE group companies due to mergers or dissolutions will impact on the work required.

Renewal: It is expected that these services will be required from mid April 2026 for an initial period of 3 years unless terminated in accordance with the provision of the Framework agreement with the option to extend for a period of one year (3 + 1) together not exceeding 4 years following the Initial Term.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06019e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031188-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79210000 - Accounting and auditing services

79212000 - Auditing services

79212100 - Financial auditing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£210,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£210,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£209,800 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Apr 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
12 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
By 13th April 2030

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE
Additional Buyers

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN (SCOTLAND) LTD

HIE ORKNEY

HIE VENTURES

ORKNEY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CAMPUS LLP

WAVE ENERGY SCOTLAND 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
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM6 Highlands and Islands

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SAFFERY CHAMPNESS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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