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Published 6 Feb 2026, 19:44 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Executive Search Process for Vice-Chancellor role and Chief Executive Role (with option to extend for other Executive Search processes)

Official notice

Authority: UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER (Education)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdSME suitable
Published estimate£160,000≈ £213k / year · £192,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 6 Mar 2026
Contract term 9 moends 31 Dec 2026 · up to 30 Mar 2029 with extensions · starts 30 Mar 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The current Vice-Chancellor confirmed an intention to retire from Higher Education in January 2026 and will leave the University in the summer.

As such, the University is now seeking to appoint an Executive Search Firm to run the end-to-end search process for a new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer.

To include attraction, search, longlisting/ shortlisting and selection activities as minimum requirements. Other value-add services as may be required, e.g. selection psychometrics etc.

Full details can be found at: in-tendhost.co.uk/winchester ↗

Return Date: 12 Noon 6th March 2026

CPV: Recruitment services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1Renewal 9 moSMEPublished value£160,000
Contract period: 30 Mar 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 (9 mo) · up to 30 Mar 2029 with extensionsValue: £160,000 exc. VAT · £192,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: South East, South WestEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Single activity contract, with option for the University to extend by 3 years from date of appointment for other Executive Search processes.

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lot awarding rule: Price: - Competitive and clear financials - Details of any payment staging - Strong value proposition 35% Experience: - Proven sector Executive Search experience - Access to established and diverse talent pools - Track record of inclusive and diverse approaches to attraction, search and selection (C-Suite level) 35% Approach: - Full compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations - Strong partnering approach with University, including named consultant/ single point of contact - The overall ability of the Executive Search Firm to understand and meet the University's requirements for this tender 30%

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
6 Feb 2026, 19:44 GMT
Last source update
6 Feb 2026, 19:44 GMT
Authority reference
26/AG/003
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-011189
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Recruitment services
Delivery area
South East (UKJ)South West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ab1 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowed
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Submission deadline
6 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
27 Feb 2026, 18:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Full details can be found at:

in-tendhost.co.uk/winchester ↗

Timeline

6 Feb 2026 → 30 Mar 2026 · 4 dates
  1. Tender notice published264 days ago
    6 Feb 2026, 19:44 GMT
  2. Clarification questions by243 days ago
    27 Feb 2026, 18:00 GMT
  3. Submission deadline237 days ago
    6 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
  4. Contract starts213 days ago
    30 Mar 2026, 00:00 BST

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Tender notice published
    6 Feb 2026, 19:44 GMT
    UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: 05969256 · GB-PPON: PMPV-1431-CPBW Sparkford Road, Hampshire, South East, SO22 4NRContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender