Planning

NCC1819 Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) - Fund Manager

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 May 2026 at 07:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumberland County Council is initiating the procurement process to appoint a fund manager for the Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF). This process is currently in the planning stage, focusing on preliminary market engagement to inform the future delivery of the BNIF. The procurement falls under the services category and involves banking and investment services. The council seeks to gather insights through a survey to assess market capacity, commercial norms, and potential barriers. Responses to this engagement are due by 29 May 2026. The contract is anticipated to commence on 1 April 2027 and conclude by 31 March 2032, aligning with regional development efforts in UKC2, United Kingdom.

This procurement presents a growth opportunity for businesses specialising in fund management, particularly those experienced in delivering SME investments in rural or publicly backed contexts. It is ideal for firms with expertise in banking and investment services, as well as those capable of navigating the complexities of public-sector contracts. The engagement phase promises valuable insights into market norms and commercial practices, allowing companies to tailor their proposals effectively. This tender offers a platform for expanding operations within the UK public sector, fostering potential long-term collaborations with sub-central government authorities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NCC1819 Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) - Fund Manager

Notice Description

Northumberland County Council (NCC) is looking to conduct a procurement exercise to appoint a fund manager to manage the Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF).

Planning Information

Northumberland County Council (NCC) is looking to conduct a procurement exercise to appoint a fund manager to manage the Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF). To inform the development and future delivery of this fund, we are undertaking this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise which will be in the form of a survey. We wish to gain information from the market regarding a number of areas relating to the potential procurement exercise. Specifically, this engagement is being carried out to better understand: • market capacity and capability. • commercial norms and delivery models. • risks, opportunities and barriers to entry; and • how a future procurement (if progressed) can be designed to be fair, proportionate and accessible. Suppliers are invited to respond to as many questions as they feel able to. Concise, qualitative responses are welcomed, particularly where they reflect experience of delivering SME investment in rural, place‑based or publicly backed contexts. All responses should be provided by completing the survey which can be downloaded via OPEN Portal system https://www.open-uk.org/. Your responses will also be via the OPEN portal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0692db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041702-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66100000 - Banking and investment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MORPETH
Postcode
NE61 2EF
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC42 Northumberland
Delivery Location
TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear
Local Authority
Northumberland
Electoral Ward
Morpeth Kirkhill
Westminster Constituency
North Northumberland

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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