“We’ve always wanted to focus our efforts on the early lifecycle so before you go to market, having those rich conversations with suppliers in really important”

The UK’s biggest procurement transformation in a generation is now live – but what does it really mean in practice?

In this episode of Powering Procurement, host Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch sit down with Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform at the UK Cabinet Office, to unpack the thinking, ambition and real-world impact behind the new Procurement Act.

Lindsay has played a central role in reshaping the UK’s post-Brexit procurement regime, championing transparency, flexibility, fair competition, and better access for SMEs. Her work spans everything from designing the new central digital platform to shifting evaluation from MEAT to MAT, embedding social value, and modernising how public bodies engage with markets.

Together, Sian, Gareth and Lindsay explore:

  • How the Procurement Act was shaped, and why flexibility and proportionality matter
  • What early adopters are already doing differently – and the innovations emerging across the UK
  • The rise of pre-market engagement and why it’s transforming supplier relationships
  • The power of transparency: from pipelines to KPIs and contract performance
  • Why culture, capability and systems are just as important as legislation
  • How the new regime aims to open doors for SMEs and drive fairer competition

Insightful, practical and future-focused, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating – or curious about – the new procurement landscape.

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