Healthcare procurement has always been about delivering essential services, but in Belfast and across Northern Ireland it now carries a wider responsibility. Public bodies are increasingly focused on social value — the additional benefits suppliers can deliver for communities, the economy, and the environment. For businesses looking to win healthcare contracts, understanding and embracing social value is no longer optional; it is critical to success. Bill Atkinson of Black Sheep Consulting is...

Public procurement is no longer judged on cost and quality alone. In Northern Ireland, government departments and public bodies are required to consider how contracts can generate wider benefits for society. This shift is formalised in the social value in procurement policy Northern Ireland, a framework that suppliers must understand if they want to remain competitive in tendering. Read more about it here! Bill Atkinson of Black Sheep Consulting specialises in helping businesses navigate...

Social value is no longer a side note in public procurement. In Northern Ireland and across the UK, it is now a central element of tender evaluations, often accounting for a significant percentage of the overall score. Despite its importance, many businesses still struggle to articulate their social value commitments effectively in bids. The result? Lost opportunities, missed contracts, and reputations that fail to shine. Bill Atkinson of Black Sheep Consulting has worked with countless...