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NCC1819 Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) - Fund Manager

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

30 Jun 2026 at 11:10

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

07 May 2026 at 07:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumberland County Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process to appoint a Fund Manager for the Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF). This initiative aims to support economic growth and job creation in Northumberland, with the fund expected to launch in 2027/28. The procurement falls under the banking and investment services category and is located within the UKC2 region. A competitive flexible procedure will be employed. The council plans to publish a notice by 10th August 2026, outlining further procurement details, with the contract expected to commence on 1st April 2027 and continue through to March 2032, with potential extensions until 2037.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the banking and investment sectors, particularly those with experience in managing public investment funds. The project promises involvement in transformative economic development projects, offering long-term growth potential for participating firms. Suppliers with expertise in small to medium-sized enterprise investments, especially in rural or publicly supported contexts, may find this particularly advantageous. Engaging in the preliminary market engagement phase is encouraged, as it provides insight into design and procurement strategies, ensuring a fair and accessible process. Businesses interested in expanding their portfolio in public investments or economic development are well-suited to explore this opportunity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NCC1819 Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF) - Fund Manager

Notice Description

Northumberland County Council wishes to appoint a Fund Manager to manage the Business Northumberland Investment Fund (BNIF). The BNIF is a significant new investment fund that Northumberland County Council is aiming to launch in 2027/28 with a primary purpose to support economic growth and job creation in Northumberland over the next 10 years. The BNIF, along with other sources of external funding, will provide a significant lever to the Council to deliver on its vision, enabling the delivery of visible projects, whilst also advancing long-term, transformational investment programmes for employment sites. The procurement will be to attract a fund manager for the proposed fund.

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/061183-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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
30 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Aug 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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

JSON Markdown

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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