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UK_811- Venice Biennale PR Consultant

British Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

24 Jul 2026 at 10:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

08 Jul 2026 at 14:52

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The British Council is procuring public relations consultancy services for its annual British Council Commission for the Venice Biennale, its flagship arts project. The appointed agency or PR consultant will support a major global media campaign and work as an extension of the British Council’s corporate communications team. The work is intended to support the artist representing the UK, maintain a consistent and authoritative communications approach, maximise strategic brand benefits and manage risks arising from rapidly changing project sensitivities. This is a single services requirement for the Venice Biennale project, with delivery led for the British Council from its organisation in London and supporting a global campaign. The relevant service category is public relations services (CPV 79416000).

The process has reached tender: the British Council invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. It comprises one lot. Enquiries had to be submitted by 15 July 2026 at 11:59pm, and tenders were due by 27 August 2026 at 12 noon. Electronic submission was permitted through the British Council’s supplier registration and tendering system. The planned contract period runs from 9 November 2026 to 31 May 2027, with a maximum possible end date of 31 May 2028 through two further one-year extensions. The estimated value is £20,000 excluding VAT, or £24,000 including VAT. The requirement is suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The award criteria are set out in the procurement documents.

This opportunity suits an experienced public relations agency or consultant with the senior-level expertise and sector-specific knowledge needed to support a high-profile international arts project. Strong candidates will be able to deliver targeted PR advice, contribute to a major global media campaign and operate effectively as part of an established corporate communications team. The work calls for authoritative, consistent communications that can support the UK-representing artist, strengthen the British Council’s strategic brand position and respond appropriately to rapidly evolving sensitivities and reputational risks. Suppliers should therefore be comfortable handling senior stakeholders, arts-sector communications, international media activity and sensitive issues. The requirement is explicitly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, making it relevant to specialist independent practitioners as well as larger PR firms.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK_811- Venice Biennale PR Consultant

Notice Description

The annual British Council Commission for the Venice Biennale is the organisation's flagship Arts project and is accompanied by a major global media campaign. This project requires targeted support from an experienced public relations specialist, to enable us to secure senior and sector-specific expertise. The agency/PR Consultant will work as an extension of the British Council corporate communications team to ensure consistency and authoritative approach to support the artist representing the UK, maximise strategic brand benefits and mitigate risk in response to rapidly evolving project sensitivities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 2 further extensions of 1 further year each.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c696
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070139-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79416000 - Public relations services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£20,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Nov 2026 - 31 May 2027 6-12 months
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
British 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
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JQ
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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