Creating value and impact for the healthcare sector
Commercial Services Group delivers a huge range of products and services to customers in local government, education, housing and health. But across our 33 businesses we have one clear vision: to create value and impact for every customer, every day. We do that by working collaboratively and commercially. This in turn drives innovation and service excellence.
We’ve been helping the NHS deliver efficient health and social care for many years, beginning life as the main supplies division of Kent County Council. Today, NHS Trusts around the country rely on us for innovative solutions covering procurement frameworks and strategies, energy supply and environmental services, and HR consulting and support. In every case that sees us working alongside NHS professionals to drive efficiencies and save costs. Whether we’re managing complex contracts or helping to deliver net zero targets, we have the right expertise and breadth of experience to deliver sustained success and measurable impact to align with your goals.
As one of the UK’s largest publicly owned, privately run businesses, we offer the best of both worlds – a clear focus on commercial expertise and leading-edge thinking, alongside a deep commitment to transparency, compliance and social value. Our profits provide sizeable returns to the public purse but that’s just one part of our story. Ultimately, everything we do creates better places for people to live, learn and thrive.
Working together to build an NHS fit for the future
Our NHS is on a transformational journey – its course set by the Government’s ambitious 10 Year Health Plan that warns of a stark future ahead unless radical change happens. The destination is an efficient, digitally-enabled, modern NHS – thriving at the heart of our neighbourhoods, meeting their changing needs, with a renewed focus on preventing disease and promoting health. Getting there, however, demands fresh thinking around people and talent, digital integration, productivity growth and net zero alignment, powered by a new, devolved operating model that’s driving consolidation. Smarter procurement and supply chain innovation will be critical to success, as will investing in a motivated, multiskilled workforce, and intensifying effort on decarbonisation. Against this backdrop, collaboration and strategic partnerships will be more important than ever.
Driving efficiencies with procurement innovation
As Trusts and Integrated Care Systems evolve into larger, more integrated health organisations, greater regional autonomy over budgets and decision-making is creating new opportunities for smarter, more collaborative procurement. The focus is shifting toward consolidating supply chains while meeting local needs more effectively. At the same time, efficiency targets are tightening, with procurement expected to deliver substantial savings and value.
To succeed, Trusts will need innovative approaches to aggregating spend, developing frameworks, exploring financing and leasing options, and harnessing digital tools to improve visibility and control. Regional collaboration and strategic procurement partnerships will become essential. Where in-house capacity or expertise is limited, working with an experienced partner such as Commercial Services Group can help strengthen procurement capability, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable efficiencies.
The health sector is under growing pressure to deliver more with less – making innovative, collaborative approaches essential. Smarter aggregation of spend and demand, forward-thinking frameworks, and flexible financing and leasing models can all unlock greater value. By enhancing contract performance, embracing digital tools, and building strong regional and strategic procurement partnerships, organisations can drive efficiency, resilience, and better outcomes for patients and communities
Investing in contract management
There is also an opportunity to invest in the contract management process – the skills, resources and technology needed to make sure suppliers deliver, safely and on time, and that contracts create value and save money across their entire lifecycle. We’ve helped many NHS Trusts save vital costs, allowing them to invest in essential frontline people and equipment –supporting the NHS to deliver better outcomes for patients. Asset management, too, can play its role in creating efficiencies. As Trusts tighten their supply chains, thinking differently about how to finance, procure, maintain and replace essential equipment is a key opportunity.
Hitting net zero and saving energy costs
With the 10 Year Health Plan doubling down on net zero by 2040, procurement teams must embed carbon measurement, supply chain reporting and sustainability into every contract and framework to align with NHS goals.Trusts can look for these opportunities across every category – such as EV vehicle leasing or using local suppliers. Reducing energy usage is key, and Trusts must build their understanding of how to achieve this across their estates into their decarbonisation plans. Energy procurement is also critical for net zero targets and Trusts will need to work alongside innovative energy brokers to source sustainable and cost effective supplies.
Building the workforce
As services move closer to communities, they will need to be supported by multidisciplinary teams, innovative technology, and prevention-focused approaches that keep people healthier for longer. Trusts must recruit and retain talent in new ways, attract people into emerging roles and invest in upskilling existing staff to work confidently with AI and connected devices. At the same time, leaders must create sustainable careers, flexible working options, and stronger wellbeing support to reduce burnout and improve morale.
Working together, we can help you strengthen critical operations within your organisation, such as procurement and human resources, making sure they’re well-equipped to play their role in meeting these challenges. We can also help you shape new care models, enable digital innovation, manage more complex supplier ecosystems, build your workforce and meet net zero targets. Across our brands – Procurement Services, Laser Energy and HR Connect, we have the experience and expertise to support you as strategic partners as well as transactional buyersimproving efficiency, saving costs and driving better financial performance.
Procurement frameworks and managed solutions
We provide market-leading procurement and contract management solutions for NHS Trusts. Our services combine specialist expertise, market insight and technology to deliver efficient tendering, stronger supplier performance and better value for money.
We simplify procurement through innovative frameworks, contract and category management, and financial leasing solutions – helping Trusts boost efficiency, stay compliant and save costs. In 2024 alone, we saved the NHS over £3.6 million, enough to fund 594 defibrillators.
Procurement Services
We keep procurement simple, providing NHS trusts and the public sector with compliant routes to products and services from local, national and global suppliers – maximising value and efficiency, and delivering complete peace of mind.
With a broad range of solutions, we support our customers in achieving better value and compliant procurement with our approved frameworks, innovative leasing options, digital transformation, vehicle solutions, tender services and contract management. We work with leaders from across the public sector, helping healthcare, local government, the education sector and blue light services as well as housing bodies and government agencies to deliver more with less.
Our Managed Solutions help our customers reposition their procurement functions as strategic enablers, allowing us to provide an efficient and compliant service back into your organisation. This will deliver compliant, innovative solutions that can better achieve outcomes for your organisation and the communities you serve.
procurementservices.co.uk
Procurement Services Leasing
We help the NHS and public sector organisations access the equipment they need in a way that’s smart, efficient and cost effective. We specialise in leasing advice and work with trusted finance providers to secure fair, manageable payment plans that fit your budget.
Our team of experts help finance leaders explore the best ways to fund capital purchases, making complex decisions easier and more informed. We can compare leasing and buying options so you can clearly see which route offers the best value for your specific organisation. We also review your existing lease portfolio, identifying opportunities to renegotiate or restructure agreements to save money and improve terms.
We take the stress out of procurement by looking at every available funding option, right from the start and throughout a contract’s term. Our specialists match the right lease types to each department and run fully compliant mini-competitions to get competitive deals.
With the arrival of IFRS 16, new leasing choices have emerged, and we can guide you through the changes. We help build strong business cases that make the most of both capital and revenue budgets. Backed by deep industry insight and strong relationships with finance providers, we negotiate on your behalf – working with you to build dynamic, transparent replacement plans that identify funding gaps and evaluate all the options. Saving you time, reducing risk, and helping you make clear, cost-effective equipment decisions.
procurementservices.co.uk/our-solutions/leasing
“We have partnered with the leasing arm of Procurement Services for many years now. They help us manage our 250+ medical equipment leases, and assist in procuring new and replacement assets ensuring compliancy and mitigating risk. The leasing team also help us deliver our capital lease programme to budget, which can often go right down to the wire. I can wholeheartedly recommend the services the leasing team provide, we would be lost without them.”
Ed Pearson - Technical Accountant, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust / York Teaching Hospital Facilities Management LLP
Procurement Services Lifecycle
We transform contract management into a proactive tool for saving money and improving operations. We streamline your processes, tailoring solutions to meet you organisation’s needs.
Lifecycle’s suite of solutions is designed to deliver more from existing contracts and supplier relationships. Our contract analysis tool, Lifecycle Index, assesses current strengths and weaknesses in the approach to contract management, pinpointing contracts and capability that can be improved to deliver tangible benefits to an organisation.
We have more than 5,000 contracts under active management for our clients. OPTIMiSe helps us manage every aspect –procurements, leases, renewals, maintenance, replacement costs and supplier performance – so that nothing is missed and value is sustained. It offers long-term control and compliance as well as flexible outsourcing of contract management activities. With OPTIMISe you can spot cost-saving opportunities, align capital and revenue budgets, and build strong business cases – making equipment planning smarter, more transparent, more adaptable and financially sustainable over the long term.
Lifecycle has 30 years of public sector procurement experience and, supported by our proprietary tools and platforms, has the deep expertise to help NHS Trusts and the healthcare sector secure services at the optimal price, quality and quantity –delivering compliance, reducing waste, maximising investment and improving efficiency.
procurementservices.co.uk/our-solutions/lifecycle
Procurement Services Digital
Digitally enabling the NHS is a key part of creating an efficient, community-focused, neighbourhood health service, fit for the future. Our digital solutions can support Trusts making this transformation, as well as deliver essential multifunctional device contracts to support the smooth running of day-to-day services.
Our market-leading multifunctional device and digital solutions framework supports organisations in the public sector spend safely on technology, giving them access to multiple brands and trusted suppliers. Our framework protects our customers, saving them valuable time and money and can be configured to offer completely bespoke solutions that drive digital transformation.
We can help you develop strategic relationships with key suppliers who offer digital transformation services, improving and streamlining operations within your organisation. This can cover a full range of technologies and equipment, as well as end user support, project management, training and installation.
procurementservices.co.uk/our-solutions/digital
“We’ve been working with Lifecycle to manage our maintenance schedules, and it has transformed our operations. OPTIMiSe, the contract management platform, is easy to use and gives us full visibility of service records and the work delivered by the Lifecycle team. The biggest benefit is how it supports more effective supplier management. With clear insights into performance and compliance, we can identify areas for improvement and hold suppliers accountable. This has strengthened vendor relationships, improved communication and ensured contract KPIs are consistently met. OPTIMiSe not only streamlines processes, it drives better outcomes across the board. We couldn’t be happier!”
James Lewis - Associate Director of Engineering & Estates, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Humber Health Partnership
Procurement Services Frameworks
We manage frameworks for organisations across the public sector, covering 12 different categories – banking & finance, construction, education, emergency services, facilities, fleet, health & social care, highways, office, people & professional services, property management and technology. Our broad spending pool means we have considerable buying power, price leverage and procurement expertise to meet a wide range of your clinical and non-clinical needs.
Each framework is pre-tendered, fully compliant and adhere to either the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) or Procurement Act 2023. As well as being able to offer you full compliance and strong buying power, we provide terms and conditions that are designed specifically for the public sector to protect you. There is no necessity to run a full tender as we have already done the hard work for you.
This gives you access to a wide choice of vetted, high-quality suppliers, with pricing and terms already negotiated. Our frameworks make it faster, safer and better value for NHS organisations to buy goods and services, saving you time and reducing risk – helping you deliver economies of scale and support your sustainability, social value and cost efficiency goals.
Creating value and impact for the healthcare sector
Procurement Services Vehicles
Whatever your organisation’s vehicle needs, we deliver compliant, tailored solutions to fulfil them. From ambulances to patient access vehicles, we work with our customers to understand their requirements and provide vehicles fit for purpose. We have vast experience in the vehicle industry, creating solutions for organisations across the public sector from healthcare to education and local government.
Our dedicated team of account specialists can create bespoke solutions, helping NHS Trusts build and manage cost effective fleets, from patient transport and specialist care vehicles to community cars, estates vans and EVs. We offer flexible lease and purchase options, expert market insight, and full maintenance support, managing the lifecycle of your vehicle. Our team is dedicated to securing the best value, helping you reduce costs, simplify fleet management, and keep your services running smoothly while meeting sustainability goals. Our vehicle telematics fleet tracking system gives NHS Trusts live data on how vehicles are used, allowing them to improve efficiency, sustainability, safety and cost-control.
procurementservices.co.uk/our-solutions/vehicles
Energy & environment
According to the NHS’s Delivering a Net Zero NHS strategy, its estate and facilities – that’s buildings, energy and utilities - account for about 15% of the NHS’s total carbon footprint. If you add in the supply chain for construction, maintenance and facilities services, the figure rises to around 20%. We know that reducing this footprint is a vital part of transforming the NHS into the efficient, sustainable organisation it needs to be for the future. Improving energy efficiency, switching to low-carbon heating, installing solar and other renewables, and phasing out fossil fuel boilers are all part of the NHS’s plan to meet its targets.
As a leading partner for energy and decarbonisation to the public sector, we’ve worked with NHS Trusts around the country helping them towards achieving net zero, so have a clear understanding of your commitments, and challenges. Alongside our extensive experience in energy procurement, we deliver specialist consultancy and net zero frameworks that help you implement your decarbonisation plans.
We’re energy procurement, management and net zero specialists. Kent County Council established LASER as the energy division of Commercial Services Group in 1989. For 36 years, we’ve been helping public sector organisations across the UK reduce energy costs while transitioning to greener solutions.
Today, we are one of the leading providers of energy and carbon reduction solutions, and proudly support over 200 UK public sector bodies, helping them achieve their energy goals. We’re on a mission to deliver tailored end-to-end solutions that help public sector organisations like yours reduce costs and transition to a net zero future.
Net Zero Framework
We help NHS organisations cut carbon by sourcing trusted, compliant suppliers for projects such as solar, heat pumps and LED lighting, using our dedicated Net-Zero Framework. Whether you’re at the start of your net zero journey or have projects lined up, our net zero framework provides access to specialists who can help you with everything from net zero consultancy to the supply and installation of energyefficient systems.
Flexible Energy Procurement
We provide a quick and compliant route to procure the supply of gas and electricity through our flexible energy procurement. With a range of purchasing strategies to choose from, we are committed to helping you in securing the best value contract tailored to your specific needs, so you can save both time and money.
Renewable Assets
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or invest in your own renewable energy, our support can be tailored to your specific needs. We can support you to make the most of your renewable power by guiding you through the various Purchase Power Agreements (PPA), procurement, and selling methods or provide a tailored end-to-end solar solution that simplifies the transition to solar energy for your public buildings.
Project Management
When resources are stretched finding the right experts in-house is challenging. Our experienced team also manages complex projects end-to-end, easing those resource pressures while guiding estates through renewable energy options, procurement, and delivery to achieve net-zero targets efficiently and with confidence.
laserenergy.org.uk
Human resources and people
As the NHS transforms, so will its workforce, with demand growing for it to be larger, more flexible and multiskilled. Trusts need to recruit and retain talent in new ways, build essential digital capability, and support staff wellbeing to reduce burnout and turnover.
We can help NHS organisations meet these challenges with a full range of HR and workforce solutions. From compliant recruitment frameworks and apprenticeship pathways to expert HR consultancy, workforce planning and retention support, we can reduce administrative burden and costs, helping leaders shape a workforce ready for the NHS of the future.
Through our companies – HR Connect, EmploymentCheck and Staff Care Services – we provide payroll, pension, HR advisory and administration services, DBS checking and support with staff health and wellbeing.
HR Connect helps to create better workplaces – providing HR advisory services, payroll, pension and HR administration services. With more than 25 years at the forefront of human resources and people services, our team is trusted by over 1000 customers nationwide, including local authorities, NHS Trusts, schools, academies and multi-academy trusts.
We put your people first – we’re fully accredited, compliant and deliver award-winning levels of service, and are experts in finding practical and pragmatic solutions. Our HR Specialists work closely with managers and senior leaders to understand your organisation’s objectives and identify the appropriate people management solutions. From HR strategy to training and development, employment matters to specialist legal services, administration, payroll and pensions services, we can support your entire human resources function.
hrconnect.org.uk
Working in the healthcare sector is rewarding, but it can also be highly pressurised. Helping your staff to stay fit, healthy and able to do their job successfully is more important than ever.
Part of HR Connect, we provide staff health and wellbeing solutions through an experienced team of clinicians, consultants, counsellors, and trainers. Our health and wellbeing services encourage both personal growth and enjoyment of the workplace, creating a positive environment for your employees.
By working with us as your workplace wellbeing partner, we can help you with everything – from developing an insightdriven wellbeing strategy, to ensuring your whole employee lifecycle is supported by our occupational health and employee assistance programmes. We can provide valuable data and insight that allows you to improve employee engagement, retain your best talent, and lower absence costs. Our services also include health surveillance, coaching and mediation, support for mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing, and mental health first aider training. hrconnect.org.uk/staff-care-services
We are one of only ten approved DBS eBrokers across the UK, including Scotland, operating a fully hosted and compliant online DBS checking solution. We have developed a leading, customisable Disclosure and Barring solution ideal for NHS Trusts and healthcare providers. Our comprehensive preemployment check portal also seamlessly integrates Right to Work, Digital ID, reference and social media checks.
With EmploymentCheck, you can be confident that the people you hire are qualified to begin their onboarding with you. We deliver over 400,000 checks every year, giving more than 34,000 organisations peace of mind when it comes to new joiners. Our team is focused on giving you a friendly and responsive service and have decades of experience. We also help train your staff in using our DBS services and processes to ensure a thorough and consistent approach to employee background checks and customer safety at all times. education.employmentcheck.org.uk
We are a specialist training and professional development provider. Our Supported Employment Service can work with NHS trusts to enable inclusive recruitment and sustainable employment for people facing barriers, such as disability, health conditions or disadvantage.
We offer person-centred, one-to-one support, including working interviews, job carving and job coaching, so individuals can demonstrate what they can do rather than being limited by traditional recruitment processes.
Our recent work with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust has helped applicants achieve equal shortlisting rates and increased workforce disability representation. We can help the NHS find, support and retain talented staff, ensuring every candidate has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
theeducationpeople.org
Invicta Law provides expert legal services to local authorities and public bodies across the UK. Formerly the in-house legal team for Kent County Council, we bring decades of frontline experience and a clear understanding of the pressures and responsibilities facing those working in health and social care.
We deliver cost effective, pragmatic advice that helps leaders manage workforce issues, strengthen governance and maintain compliance. Our experienced solicitors offer guidance on employment, privacy and governance matters, including staffing, contracts, data protection, regulatory compliances and tribunal representation. We also help organisations adapt to new employment legislation and provide workplace training designed to reduce risk, prevent disputes and ensure teams can focus on delivering excellent care.
More than a legal services provider, we’re a trusted partner, offering expert support when it matters most. Our approach is collaborative, accountable and client-focused, with timely advice always tailored to your specific needs, helping you make confident decisions that improve outcomes for the people and communities you serve. Empowering the healthcare sector through legal insight, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to public value.
invicta.law
Find out more about our work within the Health sector at: commercialservices.org.uk
