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By CPC Helpdesk
2025 saw Crescent Purchasing Consortium go from strength to strength, supporting education by enhancing teaching and learning, while facilitating exceptional procurement services and solutions. Here are 25 highlights of our stellar 2025. 2️⃣5️⃣
CPC and SE First officially announce new partnership
To start the year, we were thrilled to formally introduce Sustainable Energy First as exclusive suppliers of our latest Utilities Supplies & Services framework, establishing a strong, new partnership for CPC - in sustainability and energy procurement.
(from January edition of CPC Members' Newsletter)
It's time to Act, as new purchasing regulations go live
In February, after years of development, Procurement Act 2023 finally arrived - and if you were still in need of information and support, CPC had compiled multiple resources to help education institutions navigate the transition to the new regime.
(from February edition)
CPC framework can facilitate esports procurement
We also revisited the topic of esports, as CPC launched a refreshed ICT Hardware and Peripherals Equipment framework, with approved suppliers like Centerprise/Yoyotech ready to turn esports dreams into reality, much like at Coleg Cambria.
(from February edition)
Just days to apply for Giving Back funding
Finally, in the shortest month, the sands of time ran out for our fifth Giving Back window; institutions with funding needs advised to complete any applications, as CPC prepared to bring more of their purchase, project and event proposals to life.
(from February edition)
CPC and Manchester United Foundation announce collaboration
Kicking off March in style, CPC was thrilled to share news of an exciting new initiative in partnership with the Manchester United Foundation, as we united to inspire SEND learners from across Greater Manchester, by way of The Beautiful Game.
(from March edition)
CPC's Mark Pearson to address Communities of Practice events
Another announcement saw our Learning & Development Lead, Mark Pearson confirmed as leading two of the Government Commercial Function's 'Communities of Practice' meet-ups in support of the new Procurement Act, which were set for June.
(from March edition)
CPC backs next generation of procurement professionals
Mark was also central to the news CPC would be funding four CIPS Level 4 qualifications, supporting the next generation of procurement professionals through access to this diploma, a key step towards achieving the recognised industry standard.
(from March edition)
CPC awarded UK's Best Workplaces™ recognition
Meanwhile, CPC was proud to have once again been named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ by Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture. This first recognition of the year followed on from five accreditations in 2024.
(from March edition)
CPC shortlisted for GO Awards recognition
Into the spring, and following our extensive, steadfast support of the education sector in preparing for the Procurement Act, CPC was shortlisted for Procurement Team of the Year honours for the annual GO Awards UK National in Liverpool.
(from April edition)
New CPC framework for procurement of MFDs launches
Our Multifunctional Devices and Associated Products & Services framework launched in early April, with our registered CPC members able to benefit from both the experience and category expertise of CPC's in-house MFD specialist, Kath Johnson.
(from April edition)
CPC Inclusion Cup inspires students in Manchester
The end of April saw the excitement of the first CPC Inclusion Cup, where as part of a packed day at The Cliff training ground and Old Trafford stadium, the students would be joined by former Manchester United forward Danny Webber.
(from April edition)
Team CPC hits the road for in-person events
In a year where CPC was represented at events around the UK, May was a particularly eventful month, as we attended Procurex England, the AoC Finance Conference and more, meeting stakeholders and sharing our procurement advice.
(from May edition)
CPC achieves fifth Great Place to Work® accreditation
As well as retaining its status as one of the UK's Best Workplaces™ for Development during 2025, the month of May saw Crescent Purchasing Consortium confirmed to be a Certified™ Great Place to Work®, for a fifth successive year, no less!
(from May edition)
CPC Supplier Excellence Awards aids Giving Back efforts
June's Members' Newsletter gave the spotlight to our second annual CPC Supplier Excellence Awards, as we celebrated outstanding work from across our 1,200+ strong supply chain, in the prestige setting of Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
(from June edition)
CPC on UK's Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ list
Meanwhile, with wellbeing one of CPC's top priorities, we were delighted to be ranked amongst the UK's Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ 2025, adding to the multiple other Great Place to Work® credentials we proudly achieved during this year.
(from June edition)
CPC ranked among Best Workplaces for Women™
The recognition kept on coming in July, as CPC was named as one of UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™; another success for our group culture, confirmed on the back of the annual anonymous staff survey conducted by Great Place to Work®.
(from July edition)
CPC staff enjoy the Black Country Living Museum
Days after being crowned the country's best large visitor attraction in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, the Black Country Living Museum welcomed CPC colleagues from around the UK for a day of team building, idea shares and fun.
(from July edition)
New-look Crescent Learning resource launched
Covering August updates, while setting the table for a new academic year, our Back to School issue of early September brought news of the launch of Crescent Learning, CPC's new and improved online learning and development platform.
(from Back to School edition)
Studio success for college via CPC framework
We were pleased to share some member success stories this year, including the case of Oldham College, who used our Broadcasting Equipment and Integration Services framework for a major studio kit-out, as was recounted in September.
(from Back to School edition)
CPC and SAAS to present Procurement Act webinar
2025 was also a year packed with webinars, from our Added Value offerings to the PAG Presents series. During September, CPC would partner up with the team behind the Schools and Academies Show for a new webinar on Procurement Act 2023.
(from Back to School edition)
Anticipation builds for new construction framework
October saw anticipation building for a major new procurement framework in the field of UK construction - with CPC playing a central role in establishing its foundations, ahead of the Invitation to Tender expiry at the end of the month.
(from October edition)
It's no ordinary day, as CPC Podcast launches
Meanwhile, Episode 1 of our CPC Podcast saw Procurement L&D Lead, Mark Pearson and Customer Engagement Manager, Jack Horton tackle a variety of interconnected topics, as we began to learn there's truly 'No Ordinary Day in Procurement'!
(from October edition)
Thanks to Schools and Academies Show visitors
Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre once again played host to the Schools and Academies Show in November, with our signature CPC Village forming a major part of the proceedings, as we continued our support of the education sector.
(from November edition)
FEFMN to relaunch as Estates Advisory Group
In a move that would reflect the identity of its sister Procurement Advisory Group (PAG), CPC was pleased to announce the FE Facilities Management Network (FEFMN) would relaunch before the close of 2025, as the Estates Advisory Group (EAG).
(from November edition)
DfE recommends record number of CPC frameworks
Finally, in November, CPC was proud to report that as many as 24 of the compliant purchasing frameworks in its extensive catalogue were now officially recommended by the Department for Education, a record number for CPC in its modern era.
(from November edition)