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UK7 ARIA Chair

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

12 Oct 2026 at 17:24

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology bought specialist executive search services to recruit the next Chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). This is a senior leadership search with a specific focus: the successful firm needed to understand ARIA’s high-risk, high-reward research model, its independence and governance, its stakeholder landscape, and the leadership needed as the agency moves from establishment into delivery at scale. The work supports an appointment intended to guide an organisation seeking transformational scientific, economic and societal impact. Recruitment services were delivered in the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to IRG Advisors LLP, trading as Odgers. The Department used a direct award below the procurement threshold, without competition. The contract was signed on 7 October 2026, with a gross value of £38,000 (£30,400 excluding VAT). The contract period runs from 7 October to 15 December 2026, with a possible extension of about two months, to 15 February 2027, if no suitable candidates are found. There was one lot, now complete. The award is active and the contract is active. The procurement description sets out the specialist understanding required, including ARIA’s operating model, independence, governance needs and stakeholder landscape, but does not state a separate scored evaluation method.

For executive-search firms, this appointment demonstrates demand from the Department for a highly tailored search for a senior chair in science and innovation. A credible competitor would need a strong record of senior-level executive recruitment and the ability to assess leadership for a distinctive, independent organisation focused on high-risk, high-reward research. Relevant expertise would include understanding research and innovation institutions, governance and stakeholder relationships, and the transition from organisational set-up to delivery at scale. The search also calls for judgement in identifying leaders able to support ambitious scientific, economic and societal outcomes, rather than relying on a generic chair-search approach. Suppliers with the capacity to engage a suitable senior candidate pool and to advise on the particular demands of ARIA’s role would be best aligned with this buyer’s requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UK7 ARIA Chair

Notice Description

The Department for Science, Innovation Science and Technology requires specialist executive search support to assist with the recruitment of the next Chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency. This is not a generic Chair search. ARIA occupies a distinctive place in the UK research and innovation system, pursuing high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to deliver transformational scientific, economic and societal impact. The Chair appointment requires a supplier able to understand ARIA's operating model, independence, governance requirements, stakeholder landscape and the leadership capabilities needed to support the organisation as it moves from establishment into delivery at scale.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078610
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096302-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
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

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£30,400 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Oct 2026 - 15 Dec 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
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
SW1A 2EG
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IRG Advisors LLP

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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