Discover and share good practice for smarter working universities

Strong procurement

The value of a strong procurement team

In the second part of our focus on Coventry University’s procurement service, its head Mike Hanson explains how investing in his workforce has helped the university deliver 30% in savings through more efficient procurement.
Michael Duffy, procurement manager at Coventry University

The promises programme – becoming a ‘no hidden extras’ university

Coventry University has sought to become a “no hidden extras” university by providing core textbooks to undergraduates. Michael Duffy explains how the university’s procurement team rose to the challenge of giving students more for their investment.

A parade of not so beautiful beauties?

The higher education energy market is becoming increasingly competitive. Richard Murphy from the public buying organisation The Energy Consortium (TEC) warns of the hidden dangers in the contracting process and urges universities to involve a broad range of departments when procuring energy services.
Managing outsourced contracts

10 tips for managing outsourced contracts

Outsourcing is an increasingly popular way for universities to keep costs down and to focus their activities on their core business, but there are risks involved. London Universities Purchasing Consortium's Andy Davies gives his top 10 tips for managing big-ticket outsourced contracts.

Procurement revisited – selected case studies from higher education

The second phase of efficiency work in higher education led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond and coordinated by Universities UK is well under way and a report will be published next February. Watch this space for a forthcoming series of articles to highlight this work which we will be publishing over the coming weeks. In the meantime, we thought it would be interesting to re-share some of the best examples of good practice we've found - for those of you who might have missed them first time around. Today: a selection of case studies on procurement.

Saving universities millions a year in online subs

Subscription fees for software and other online resources can amount to a substantial sum for universities. Eduserv’s Jenny Carroll explains how its licences for these products help higher education budgets to go further.

Hefce survey reveals bigger procurement savings

English universities’ procurement efficiencies have saved tens of millions of pounds in a year, according to a survey by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce).

Could a cashless campus be more efficient?

Could going cashless on campus form part of an efficient business model for HE institutions? In a blog for University Business Steve Simmons, an accountant at the University of Birmingham, explains how a cashless payment pilot is working out.
HEPA logo

Develop your procurement skills with HEPA training: 2014-15 dates announced

HEPA (Higher Education Procurement Academy) training dates have now been confirmed, with 10 courses across 5 locations during 2014-15.
HEPA logo

Inaugural HEPA conference on 9 October at Imperial College London

The Higher Education Procurement Academy is entering a new phase, post-ITF funding, and we have arranged an exciting conference to launch this new era....