The challenge: Limited resource and inconsistent procurement performance
Housing Solutions Group is a housing provider operating across Berkshire and Hampshire, managing over 7,500 properties. The organisation offers a range of housing options, including affordable rent, shared ownership, market rent, and specialist accommodation for older people and those needing care and support.
Following a period of short-term appointments and underperformance in procurement, the newly appointed Procurement Manager quickly found the workload unsustainable. The Executive Team recognised the need for a strategic review to assess procurement maturity, identify areas for improvement, and understand how their infrastructure compared with sector best practice. By engaging us, Housing Solutions Group wanted a detailed assessment of their procurement approach, recommendations for change, visibility of key procurement projects, quantifiable business impacts, and options regarding procurement delivery.
Midway through the project, the Procurement Manager resigned, leaving Housing Solutions without an internal procurement resource. Housing Solutions Group asked us to step in – not only to continue delivering strategic recommendations, but also to support day-to-day procurement activity and ensure continuity.
The solution: Strategic consultancy and delivery support
We began with a full health check of Housing Solutions’ procurement function, assessing maturity, identifying gaps, and recommending improvements. Our consultancy team worked closely with stakeholders to build trust, understand priorities, and tailor solutions to the organisation’s size and structure.
Consultation with stakeholders highlighted the desire to award a higher proportion of contracts to locally based businesses whilst at the same time delivering improved value for money and higher quality outputs.
Feedback from local suppliers suggested that previous tender exercises conducted had been overly complex and with short contract terms which created challenges in arriving at an optimal price point due to the short term nature and lack of commitment.
Key activities included:
We also helped transition the organisation from short-term, reactive tendering to longer-term contracts that promote innovation, efficiency, and community investment.
“Housing Solutions engaged the services of PfH to undertake a full review and health-check of the strategic procurement function across the organisation, with a brief to provide recommendations for possible areas of improvements for greater enhancements to procurement processes and avenues to achieve greater value for money. PfH identified a number of key areas enhancements both to processes and avenues for achieving greater value for money, we have since continued to utilise their services to drive our programme of major procurement projects.
Our lead consultant has quickly developed excellent relationships across the organisation, achieving buy-in and collaboration from key stakeholders. He is respected for his knowledge and expertise, in particular his experience within the asset management area of the business. Whilst always the professional, he brings a welcomed down-to-earth approach, demystifying procurement and as a result taking people on the journey throughout the process.
With the assistance of PfH we expect to have a stronger approach to procurement embedded within the organisation and to substantially increasing our targeted category savings.”
Carol Lovell, Director of Corporate Services, Housing Solutions Group
The results: Strategic transformation and long-term impact
Our work led to a complete relaunch of Housing Solutions’ procurement function, repositioning it as a strategic driver within the organisation. Procurement is now recognised as a business enabler, with a stronger internal culture and renewed confidence in its professionalism. The appointment of a high-performing team has further enhanced its credibility and influence.
We created a new suite of procurement documents which has enabled compliant contracting and reduced supply chain risk. Spend analysis is now embedded in planning processes, providing transparency and insight to support decision-making. Annual value targets of 7% have been introduced, with KPIs in place to track delivery.
The adoption of a three-year procurement cycle has improved planning and allowed for more strategic, value-driven activity. Social value is now a core part of the process, with local contractors actively participating in tenders via the DPS – supporting community wealth and local economic development.
Additional benefits include:
Housing Solutions is now equipped with the insight, tools, and capability to meet future challenges. With a proactive, strategic procurement environment in place, the organisation is well-positioned to deliver wider business goals, drive savings, and mitigate risk.