Executive Compass – 2024 Year in Review

Key successes for our clients

To date, we have completed 645 projects on behalf of 266 clients across our bid writing and bid review services in 2024 – maintaining our consistent 85% success rate. The hard work from members of the team also means we are on track to achieve a record year.

Our support has enabled clients to achieve key contract wins, places on frameworks and entry into dynamic purchasing systems – expanding their revenue and contract portfolio. Just a few of the wins secured on behalf of clients include:

• Hertfordshire County Council: Supported living services framework
• Powys County Council: Construction of a new school
• London Borough of Wandsworth: Homecare reablement services framework
• NHS SBS: Decarbonisation of estates framework
• CCHA (London): Security and concierge services
• NHS Chester: Secure patient transport services
• Places for People: Combined mechanical & electrical services national framework
• Thirteen Housing Group: Repairs and maintenance framework
• Gateshead Council: Intruder alarm monitoring and CCTV maintenance and repair
• Procure Plus: Installation and repair framework agreement across multiple workstreams
• Sheffield City Council: Housing materials supply and services
• Durham County Council: Design, supply and installation of access ramps.

With so many wins for new and existing clients alike, we look forward to bolstering our 75% repeat business rate in the coming year.

Expanding our service offering

The end of last year saw the appointment of Stephen Murray as our dedicated Training Services Manager, with primary responsibility for delivery of external training. Collectively, Stephen and Matthew have delivered 134 bid writing training and social value training programmes – including 24 NEPO surgery sessions as part of our approved partner status for NEPO’s Supplier Partnership Programme.

Equally, our new pre-bid consultancy service has successfully added value for clients at the pre-bid stage. Introduced at the beginning of this year, the service includes consultancy sessions with your subject matter experts or bid team to discuss:

• Unique selling points and key ‘bid win themes’ which allow you to stand out from other bidders – for instance, previous experience as an incumbent provider
• Potential content of quality questions and method statements, based on the buyer’s priorities, previous submissions and storyboarding sessions
• Compile statistical evidence – for example, KPI performance – to weave within bid responses and case studies.

The consultancy sessions conclude with formal ‘capture plans’ to inform strategy and content once the tender goes live.

New team members and activities

As demand for our services continues to grow, we added five new bid writers to our team this year. Abby, Ivy, Joe, Kate Jowsey and Sylvia have all made immediate contributions to the business’s success, including a variety of wins for clients looking to secure key contracts.

All five members of the team have also formed key relationships with clients, building trust and adding value as part of their wider business development function and strategy. Another successful intake of our graduate programme will enable us to react and adjust to the rapidly evolving world of public sector procurement.

In addition to celebrating engagements, house moves, and a new baby boy (congratulations once again to Rachel Wright!) other events throughout the year included:

• A summer works party celebrating the company’s 15^th anniversary at one of our favourite local spots, Jesmond Dene House
• A new team photo for office-based and remote workers, demonstrating how much we have grown over the past few years
• A Christmas donation drive raising contributions for Newcastle Hospitals Charity, Newcastle Foodbank, Westgate Ark Cat Homing Centre and Age Concern South Tyneside
• Our annual Christmas party and awards, with many members of the team taking home cash prizes.

Looking forward in 2025

As 2024 draws to a close, we will continue to monitor the changes brought about by the Procurement Act 2023, with an implementation date of February, and other evolutions in public sector procurement.

We are also looking to expand our pre-bid consultancy offering, supporting bid teams with establishing a strong bid pipeline and formalised bid planning as part of their overall strategy.

Executive Compass will remain open over the holiday period – if you require interim bid support or would like to discuss a live tender, our sales and marketing team are contactable at info@executivecompass.co.uk or 0800 612 5563.