Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Project Leadership PProgramme (PLP)

Natural England

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Oct 2026 at 11:29

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural England procured two places on the Project Leadership Programme for its colleagues. This is specialist management and project leadership training for senior project and programme leaders in government, delivered through residential modules, coaching, assessments, learning materials and practical application. The programme develops leadership of self, commercial leadership and technical project leadership, with participants expected to share learning within Natural England. The stated purpose is to strengthen project delivery capability and support delivery of major and complex projects across Natural England and the wider Defra Group. The programme is commissioned by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and is delivered by Cranfield University School of Management in partnership with PA Consulting Group and The Project Academy. Natural England is the buying organisation. The programme delivery location is not identified in the procurement description.

The procurement is recorded as complete and the programme places have been awarded. Natural England used a direct award below the procurement threshold, without competition, on the basis that these places are on a specific government-recognised programme for which the description says there is no equivalent provider. The procurement has one lot. The award value is £20,600 excluding VAT (£24,720 including VAT). The stated contract period runs from 9 November 2026 to 8 June 2027, with a scheduled signature milestone on 9 November 2026. No award date is stated. The award identifies the programme, but does not name a supplier in its supplier details. The procurement record describes Cranfield University School of Management and its partners as the exclusive programme delivery team.

This purchase demonstrates demand at Natural England for senior project leadership development, rather than a general training service. A credible provider for a comparable requirement would need to offer a structured programme for government project and programme leaders, combining residential learning, coaching, assessment and practical application. The programme’s stated focus spans personal leadership, commercial leadership and technical project leadership, so suppliers would need relevant expertise across those areas. Government recognition, alignment with the Civil Service project delivery profession, and a recognised accreditation and professional network are important features of the selected programme. Suppliers should also be able to show how learning is transferred into the organisation, including through participant updates and knowledge-sharing, and how it builds internal capability for future change and transformation work. The source describes the original programme as exclusive to its commissioned provider.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Project Leadership PProgramme (PLP)

Notice Description

To secure two places on the Project Leadership Programme (PLP) for Natural England colleagues (Amy Hutchins and Hannah Collins). The PLP is a government-recognised leadership development programme commissioned by NISTA and designed to strengthen project leadership capability across the public sector. The programme develops leadership of self, commercial leadership and technical project leadership through a combination of residential modules, coaching, assessments and practical application.The Project Leadership Programme is a unique programme commissioned by NISTA specifically to develop senior project leaders across government. This is the Civil Service project delivery profession endorsed training programme. The programme is delivered exclusively by Cranfield University School of Management in partnership with PA Consulting Group and The Project Academy. Places are allocated through a controlled nomination process and the programme is not available through alternative providers. As the requirement is attendance on this specific government-recognised programme, there is no equivalent supplier able to provide access to the same programme, curriculum, accreditation, network and government-wide professional development opportunity Knowledge transfer is being embedded throughout to ensure learning and capability are retained within the organisation. Participants will be expected to share key insights and learning with colleagues through team updates and knowledge-sharing activities, helping to build wider organisational capability. The programme is also intended to develop internal leadership and project delivery expertise, reducing reliance on external providers over time. Whilst the specialist nature of the programme means the selected supplier offers a unique and established product, the knowledge and skills gained will remain within the business and be applied across future change and transformation initiatives. Amy.hutchins@naturalengland.org.uk The STA route enables Natural England to secure places on the nationally recognised PLP programme. Participation will strengthen project delivery capability, leadership skills and professional networks, supporting improved delivery of major and complex projects across Natural England and the wider Defra Group. The programme is specifically designed for senior project and programme leaders in government. Natural England will continue to review the market for comparable leadership development opportunities. However, access to the PLP itself remains restricted to the designated programme provider commissioned by NISTA. Where alternative development needs arise, competitive procurement routes will be considered. This is a one-off development opportunity for participants rather than an ongoing service contract. Future leadership development requirements will be assessed independently, and alternative providers will be considered where appropriate. The programme fee is published and standardised across government departments. The cost includes tuition, residential modules, coaching, assessments, learning materials and accommodation. The programme is commissioned for government project leaders and provides access to specialist development, professional networks and recognised accreditation, representing value for money

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100368-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80532000 - Management training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£20,600 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Nov 2026 - 8 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Natural England
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
SW1P 4DF
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

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.

Loading OCDS record...