---
title: How to Procure Innovation (with IPEC & Innovate UK)
description: Climate change, social care, artificial intelligence, defence, efficiency - the public sector is grappling with complex, intersecting challenges. Tackling them will require bold thinking and innovative solutions. Here's how you can use procurement to help.
---

[Insights for Public Procurement Professionals ](https://www.tussell.com/gov/blog)

# [How to Procure Innovation (with IPEC & Innovate UK)](https://www.tussell.com/gov/blog/how-to-procure-innovation)

 Written by [Ben Pollard](https://www.tussell.com/gov/blog/author/ben_pollard) | Aug 6, 2025 1:09:43 PM

***Climate change, social care, artificial intelligence, defence, efficiency - the public sector is grappling with complex, intersecting challenges. Tackling them will require bold thinking and innovative solutions.***

*In the latest episode of Tussell’s Public Sector Podcast, we spoke to **Ian Brotherston** (Interim Deputy Director of Innovation Funding at UKRI's [Innovate UK](https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/)) and **Rikesh Shah** (Head of [IPEC](https://www.ipec.org.uk/)) about how to successfully **procure innovation**: why it matters, what gets in the way, and how public bodies can make it happen.*

🎧 **A must-listen for ambitious procurement professionals**, this episode covers:

- **How to procure innovation** - and why it’s more critical than ever
- A practical, proven model for innovation procurement you can start using today
- Strategies to secure buy-in from senior stakeholders across government
- How to harness 'Contracts for Innovation' to unlock new solutions through procurement
- Actionable advice on how to use Preliminary Market Engagements and Framework Agreements to procure more innovation
- What innovation can mean in different categories - from AI to FM

[*Discover how you can start procuring more boldly.*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLK1MmpJIKM)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLK1MmpJIKM>

 

* * *

**Ambitious procurement teams don’t just need great people - they need great data.**

*Tussell* is the trusted source of procurement intelligence for the UK public sector, equipping teams across the country with the insights they need to make smarter, faster decisions.

💡 Want to see how Tussell can help you **save time, reduce risk, and deliver better outcomes**?

📅 [**Book a short chat**](https://www.tussell.com/gov/tussell-demo) with our sales team to discover if Tussell is right for you.

<https://www.tussell.com/gov/tussell-demo>

[View full post](https://www.tussell.com/gov/blog/how-to-procure-innovation)

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