--- title: "Project Leadership PProgramme (PLP)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "Natural England" published: "2026-10-23" --- # Project Leadership PProgramme (PLP) Buyer: Natural England Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100368-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 9 Nov 2026 - 8 Jun 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £20,600 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | Natural England | | Locality | LONDON | | Postcode area | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 4DF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80532000 - Management training services ## Release History - 23 Oct 2026 at 11:29 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100368-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100368-2026 23rd October 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ebb.json.