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Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)

The Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre helps public authorities unlock better, faster, greener and more cost-effective outcomes by using procurement as a tool to bring in innovation.

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Empowering innovation through procurement

The Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC) helps councils and local authorities use procurement as a tool to unlock better, faster, greener and more cost-effective outcomes. We provide practical support, expert guidance and shared learning to overcome procurement barriers and bring innovation into the public sector.

Through tailored support programmes, thought leadership, and collaborative partnerships, IPEC is helping shape a new standard for procurement practice under the Procurement Act 2023. Our work has already led to real improvements in service delivery, infrastructure and operational efficiency across the UK.

Get involved by joining our community, taking part in our cohort programme or accessing our open resources and insights.

Find out more in our FAQs, or get in touch at contact@ipec.org.uk.

Our focus

Support programme

We provide hands-on guidance, training, and tailored support to help public authorities tackle procurement challenges and adopt innovative solutions.

Research and Thought Leadership

We produce insight-led resources and case studies that explore how innovation can improve procurement outcomes across the public sector.

Stakeholder engagement

We connect public sector leaders, industry experts and policymakers to share knowledge, build partnerships and influence positive change in procurement practice.

Partners

Research

Find out more

Our ambition is to deepen understanding of the effectiveness of innovation procurement in driving innovation for better public services while boosting economic growth. Working with regional and local authorities we can disseminate best practice and empower local decision makers.

Article / Meet the Academic urging creative delivery in the procurement of rail projects

Ian Heptinstall is drawing on over 30 years’ experience gained as a project manager and consultant to champion the benefits of innovative procurement and critical analysis in construction, as a Researcher in Residence with Connected Places Catapult.

Article / Meet the Academic showing how public procurement can aid net zero aims

Article / Meet the Academic championing more material reuse

Latest news

Article

Meet the academic helping cities spend smarter

Rebecca Riley picked up top tips from a comedy legend at school, and is now helping cities make better spending choices alongside the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre.
5 months ago
Article

Meet the Academic urging creative delivery in the procurement of rail projects

Ian Heptinstall is drawing on over 30 years’ experience gained as a project manager and consultant to champion the benefits of innovative procurement and critical analysis in construction, as a Researcher in Residence with Connected Places Catapult.
11 months ago
Article

Meet the Academic showing how public procurement can aid net zero aims

Katherine Sugar champions efforts to spend more on energy infrastructure projects that promise a fairer transition to net zero in cities.
1 year ago
Person holding a booklet titled "The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement: New Horizons for Empowering Innovation," exploring insights from the Public Procurement Act.
Article

Procurement specialists urge public authorities to push forward with innovation

A recently published report explains how the launch of the new Procurement Act can be exploited by public authorities to drive innovation and ignite new thinking.
2 years ago
Blurred image of three people walking in a brightly lit office corridor. Two individuals in business attire walk towards the camera, while one person in a suit walks away, partially out of frame.
Article

Procurement Bill 2022 – Initial Assessment

Innovation procurement is challenging, and many commercial departments struggle to engage with it. We recommend that the planned dissemination programme, already announced, should be extended to include a best practice centre in innovative procurement to build up a knowledge centre with case studies, training and practical advice on contract development.
3 years ago
Aerial view of multiple wind turbines scattered across a vast, flat agricultural landscape with patches of green and brown fields, and a river in the background.
News

How Data can Accelerate Procurement of Innovation

An ambulance typically takes two hours to be completely sanitised after transporting a patient suspected of having COVID-19. This adds strain and delay on an already busy and pressurised service.
4 years ago

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Fact sheet

Download our fact sheet for a short summery on IPEC.

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Follow us on LinkedIn, and join our IPEC community group to share insights with like minded professionals.

Find out more in our FAQs, or get in touch at contact@ipec.org.uk.

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