Source: www.glos.ac.uk. All Rights Reserved. 2026 University of Gloucestershire
The University of Gloucestershire operates in an increasingly challenging financial and regulatory environment. As expectations from students continue to rise and resources become more constrained, the University must ensure that every pound spent delivers maximum value, supports institutional sustainability, and contributes directly to the success of our students, staff, and wider community.
The Commercial and Procurement function is a strategic partner that helps the University make informed investment decisions, maximise commercial opportunities, manage risk and secure the greatest possible value from every contract and supplier relationship.
This strategy sets out how Commercial and Procurement Services will support the University between 2026 and 2030 by embedding commercial thinking, strong governance, responsible procurement, and sustainable value throughout the institution to support delivery of the overarching University strategy and the Finance, Digital and Estates strategies.
The University will pursue the following Commercial and Procurement objectives:
The Commercial and Procurement strategy is underpinned by the following principles:
| Objectives | KPI | Target |
|---|---|---|
| – Improving Strategic Relationships – Driving Collaboration – Leveraging Added Value – Advancing Social Value | Contract procurement delivers savings and best overall value, including cashable and non-cashable benefits | – Annual non-pay savings targets met – Placements & apprenticeships – Social Value delivered – Shared services rebates |
| – Generating Income through Commercial Opportunities – Driving Collaboration – Advancing Social Value Outcomes | Commercial projects deliver income and non- cashable benefits | – Annual income and margin targets met – Social Value delivered Reputation enhancement |
| – Ensuring all Procurement is Legal & Sustainable – Improving Procurement Process & Systems | Robust processes and procedures and internal governance in place | – No successful procurement challenges – Positive internal and external audit outcomes |
| – Enhancing Procurement, Contract Management and Commercial Skills | Comprehensive Commercial Awareness training delivered to all relevant staff | – Training programme rolled out Autumn 2026 – Spring 2028 |
The University will ensure:
The Commercial and Procurement Strategy ensures efficient, cost-effective, and compliant sourcing of all goods, works, and services on behalf for the University. It promotes the development of a University wide commercial mindset to maximise opportunities for income generation and adding value to the University and the student experience.
Rational for changes
Consolidates thresholds for Goods with those for Services which reflects PA23 regulations.
| PROPOSED |
| Type of contract | Lifetime Contract Value | 1 written quote | At least 3 written quotes | Request for Quotes (RFQ) via UoG e-portal uploaded by C&P | Formal competitive tender process – managed by C&P | PA23 Compliant Competitive tendering process – managed by C&P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works | < £10,000 | x | ||||
| £10,000 – £30,000 | x | |||||
| £30,000 – £50,000 | x | |||||
| £50,000 to £5,193,000 | x | |||||
| Find a Tender threshold updated bi-annually | £5,193,000 + | x | ||||
| Goods & Services | < £5,000 | x | ||||
| £5,000 – £30,000 | x | |||||
| £30,00 – £50,000 | x | |||||
| £50,000 – £207,720 | x | |||||
| Find a Tender threshold updated bi-annually | £207,720 + | x |
Section 10: Financial Delegation and Authority Levels
Senior staff should ensure they do not act alone on high value decisions during their notice periods. For the avoidance of doubt, any delegated financial authority granted under this Scheme shall be withdrawn with immediate effect where an individual is suspended or on paid leave during a notice period.
| Transaction Type/Authority Levels – after co-pilot review | **** £0 – £10,000 | £10,001 – £50,000 | £50,001 – £150,000 | £150,000 – £500,000 | £500,001 – £3,000,000 | Above £3,000,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -New Capital Expenditure and -New unbudgeted revenue spend -Student claims | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School | UEC members | CFO or COO | VC | F & GP | Council |
| Capital Expenditure – approved & budgeted projects* | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School | Head of School/Prof Dept Dir + FBP | UEC members | CFO, COO | VC | F & GP |
| Budgeted revenue spend* | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School | Head of School/Prof Dept Dir | UEC Members | CFO or COO | VC | UEC |
| Procurement from Non- approved supplier** | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School | UEC member + CFO waiver if over £30k | CFO or COO | VC | F & GP | Council |
| Capital bids and Research & Commercial income generating contracts (including PIMS) | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School +FBP | Head of School/Prof Dept Dir + Dir of Research | Dir of Research | VC | VC with CFO review | F&GP (reporting to Council where required) |
| Payroll-one-off Redundancy/Settlements/ III health retirements etc | CFO/People Dir | CFO/People Dir | CFO/People Dir | VC | RHRC | Council |
| Bad Debt Write-offs | Financial Controller | CFO | CFO | VC | F & GP | Council |
| Leases & Property Commitments*** | Dir of C&T | Dir of C&T | CFO | VC | F & GP | Council |
| Asset disposal | Head of Dept/Deputy Head of School +FBP | UEC member | CFO or COO | VC | F & GP | Council |
*Complies with UOG procurement policy; approval to spend and contract award sign-off will be at the same level of authorisation under the Scheme of Delegation. Suppliers will be ‘approved’ if they have been appointed through a formal procurement process
Unapproved suppliers will not have been appointed through a formal procurement process and should be subject to waiver if above £30k (the threshold above which public contracts should be published).
*** Any interest on property up to £30k will require review by the Director of Commercial & Transformation and between £30k and £250k also by the CFO, approval of leases in excess of 5 years with an annual value in excess of £250k and up to £500k go to F& GP. Deeds of any value will require sign-off by a Council member and Company Secretary.
**** The University Executive Committee may approve lower levels of delegated authority for financial levels below £10k. Any such approvals will be maintained by the Procurement & Commercial team.