Professional Standards National Training Programme

About the buyer

British Council is a UK charity that buys as a central government non-departmental public body sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Cultural relations, English teaching and exams are delivered in more than 200 countries and territories. Tenders run through the In-Tend e-tendering portal, where suppliers register online, view opportunities, express interest and submit bids. Specialist frameworks, including the DICE framework for creative economy services, sit alongside individual tender competitions. Income beyond the FCDO grant comes from teaching, exams and commercial contracts. Purchase orders and standard terms and conditions govern contracts once awarded.

Procurement spend from central entities makes up 66% of overall UK public spend.

Over the past 5 years, most of British Council's contract awards have been in business services, IT services and hotel, catering and retail.