Overview
The UK Government’s commitment to devolution and structural reform is reshaping how public services are funded, commissioned, and delivered. With new combined authorities emerging, county deals advancing, and reorganisation on the agenda in several regions, local authorities are being empowered to take greater control of strategic planning, budgets, and service delivery.
The Devolution & Reorganisation Zone will explore how these governance changes impact local procurement strategy, workforce capability, and cross-boundary collaboration. Delegates will hear from councils and government representatives leading the change—discussing lessons from existing devolution deals, how to navigate the complexities of reorganisation, and how procurement can act as a strategic enabler of place-based outcomes.
Devolution & Reorganisation Zone Agenda
Procurement in a Changing Landscape: Navigating the Impacts of Devolution on Local Authority Buying Power - 10:30 - 10:55

Head of Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre
Connected Places Catapult

Commercial Manager
NEPO
The Opportunities for Delivering Procurement Innovation in the Devolved Landscape - 11:30 - 11:55

Head of Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre
Connected Places Catapult

Commercial Manager
NEPO

Deputy Director
Orbis Procurement

Head of Commercial & Procurement Service
Oxfordshire County Council
New Models, New Rules: What Reorganisation Means for Public Contracting and Commercial Compliance - 12:00 - 12:25

Deputy Director
Orbis Procurement

Head of Commercial & Procurement Service
Oxfordshire County Council

Senior Researcher - Devolution
Institute for Government
LGR and the Devolution Revolution - The Implications for Procurement & Contracting - 13:20 - 13:45

Senior Researcher - Devolution
Institute for Government