Who we are

Thornton & Lowe Procurement Consultancy is the buyer-side division of Thornton & Lowe. We exist to help UK contracting authorities and publicly funded charities run fair, transparent procurements and manage contracts in a steady, evidence-led way that improves real services. The division is led by our founder, Dave Thornton. Dave began his career in social housing procurement and value for money before establishing Thornton & Lowe as a specialist supply chain consultancy in 2009. What started as hands-on support for public bodies has grown into a dedicated team focused on buyer outcomes.

You will work with a PAYE, directly employed team of over 60, supported by a small pool of specialist procurement and contract management consultants who are tried, tested and work within our quality management procedures. That combination gives you capacity when you need it and consistency across projects. You keep control of budget and decisions; we provide the planning, drafting, running and reporting so the process moves without fuss.

We fit around you. Some clients want advisory compliance guidance and document checks. Others want a fully outsourced procurement and contract management service, including contract administration. Many ask us to chair or provide independent evaluation moderation, or to draft the tender pack and specification so their team can launch on time. You choose the involvement level; we deliver to it.

You choose the involvement level

  • Guide and assure: compliance checks, risk notes, document reviews.
  • Deliver and manage: run the competition, mobilise the contract, manage supplier performance and administration.

This flexibility lets you protect resource for core services while keeping procurement steady and defensible. We can step in for a single competition, stabilise one contract, or run a portfolio under a common framework.

What you can expect

We begin with a short discovery so everyone agrees the scope and timetable. We read the contract and walk the work. We map volumes, routes and the points where quality is judged. We then write specifications and pricing schedules that match delivery on the ground. Suppliers can price with confidence and you can compare like with like.

For competition design we keep the method proportionate to value and risk. We use frameworks or dynamic markets when they open access and keep timelines realistic. We use a competitive flexible procedure when staging adds value. We keep the file complete as we go so standstill is straightforward. After award we set a contract management rhythm that is easy to live with. Evidence rules are agreed. Meetings are short and focused. Actions are tracked and closed.

Where this helps most

  • Categories with many sites and moving parts, such as estate services, grounds maintenance, cleaning, FM, waste and catering.
  • People-dependent services where specification clarity and performance standards matter.
  • Professional services procurement where outputs and milestones need to be defined and priced accurately.

A grounded view of capacity and assurance

Capacity matters as much as expertise. A PAYE backbone ensures continuity and accountability. Specialists extend reach only when category knowledge adds value. All work passes internal quality checks, including document reviews and moderation sampling. Files are checked before award and spot-checked in delivery so you can show a clear line from instruction to decision to outcome. We adopt your tools where they work. If there is a gap, we recommend low-friction solutions that give usable data without creating admin burdens.

An example of the model at work

A housing provider needed to re-procure a multi-site estate services contract on a tight timeline. We drafted the specification and pricing schedules from site walks and historic data. We prepared the tender pack, planned the evaluation, and chaired moderation. After award we mobilised the supplier, set simple evidence rules and a monthly review cadence. Complaints fell because expectations and proof were clear. Finance gained cleaner certification. The board received a one-page summary with risks, actions and results.

Take a look at the other key categories we support. 

Questions we are often asked

Yes. We produce the core documents, align evaluation to the spec and pricing, and hand over a pack that is ready to publish.

Yes. We can chair or provide independent moderation, record rationale, and produce complete score sheets and standstill content.

Yes. Many clients appoint us as the outsourced Procurement and Contracts Manager. We run competitions, mobilise suppliers, manage performance and handle contract administration, with clear monthly reporting.

Records, progress checks, payment certification and change control aligned to the contract. Administration and contract management can be combined or kept separate to suit your structure.

We prepare short planning notes, select the correct route, publish the right notices at the right time, and keep records complete. Where a direct award is justified, we prepare the transparency notice and explain the basis in clear language.

Yes. Many clients begin with a specification refresh, an options appraisal, or a single evaluation. Once the approach works for you, scope can scale.

Ready to talk

If you need support with a live procurement, a contract that needs attention or a value for money review, we can help.

Call 01204 238 046
Email hello@thorntonandlowe.com

Request a free consultation and we will agree the next step.

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