.png)
![New Nav Bar - New Tag [Suppliers] PNG](https://www.tussell.com/hubfs/New%20Nav%20Bar%20-%20New%20Tag%20%5BSuppliers%5D%20PNG.png)
%20v1.png)
.png?width=80&height=80&name=james%20v2%20(1).png)
Introduction
Around a third of UK government spending goes on the procurement of goods and services from third-party suppliers, ranging from paper clips to major infrastructure projects.
Some of these suppliers are deemed so critical to the delivery of essential public services that the Cabinet Office designates them as 'Strategic Suppliers' to the government.
As of November 2026, there were 36 Strategic Suppliers.
In this blog, we provide an overview of:
A much more extensive analysis of the Strategic Suppliers can be found in our full 2026 Strategic Suppliers Report. To download the full report, click here.
What is a Strategic Supplier?
The Strategic Suppliers are private sector companies whose relationship with the government is centrally coordinated through the Cabinet Office, due to the strategic importance of the goods and services they provide.
Though not an official requirement, the government typically spends over £100 million per year with these suppliers.
The Cabinet Office manages the Strategic Supplier programme as part of its responsibility for supporting 'collective government' and promoting efficiency and reform through better procurement and project management.
-
Since 2011, each Strategic Supplier has had a 'Crown Representative' within the Cabinet Office. Crown Representatives act as a focal point for suppliers and help the government to act as a single customer. They ensure that the government is communicating a consistent message to its suppliers, identify areas for cost savings and coordinate cross-departmental procurement issues.
-
Since 2019, the Cabinet Office has operated a 'Memorandums of Understanding' approach with the Strategic Suppliers. The MOU approach puts the onus on suppliers to provide the government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks. The Cabinet Office argue this policy is more efficient and flexible, and increases the accountability of these suppliers to the government.
What are the pros and cons of becoming a Strategic Supplier?
Making it onto the government's Strategic Supplier list is a major accomplishment for any company.
With a dedicated Crown Representative, Strategic Suppliers' relationships to the government are managed more centrally and strategically. Their close proximity to the heart of government will offer unrivalled liaising opportunities with key procurement stakeholders.
On the other hand, becoming a Strategic Supplier comes with much greater scrutiny and oversight. The Strategic Supplier programme's use of MOUs means, as the Cabinet Office describe, "strategic suppliers will agree to provide the government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks", with the aim of increasing "accountability".
Who are the Strategic Suppliers?
As of November 2026, there were 36 companies designated as Strategic Suppliers.
This is a dynamic list. In July 2026, Computacenter, Tilbury Douglas and Jacobs were removed from the group; likewise, in October 2024, construction firm Equans was replaced by Bouygues Group UK, after being acquired by that company.
The Strategic Suppliers operate in sectors across the UK economy, including telecoms, defence, IT, consultancy, facilities management and construction.
How are they performing recently?
Tussell's 9th annual Strategic Suppliers Report found that in FY25/26 the public sector spent £259 billion on public procurement (excluding capital spending).
10% of this - £25.9 billion - went directly to the Strategic Suppliers.
Although this is a substantial amount, their market share actually declined for the fourth consecutive year. This reflects success in the government’s effort to diversify its suppliers and to disaggregate large contracts.
Some of the key findings from our Strategic Suppliers Report include:
-
Strategic Suppliers use frameworks at almost double the rate of the broader market
-
UK-headquartered Strategic Suppliers are gradually losing market share to overseas suppliers.
-
Public spending with Management Consulting Strategic Suppliers is falling in real terms.
-
£52.9bn of live Strategic Supplier contracts are set to roll off in the next five years.
To dig deeper into our analysis, download our 9th Strategic Suppliers Report.
Which frameworks are the Strategic Suppliers using?
Across the public sector, framework agreements are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to open competition.
Strategic Suppliers exemplify this trend. Over the last five years, half of all contracts won by the Strategic Suppliers were awarded through frameworks, compared with just 29% of all public sector contracts.
Below is a breakdown of the top frameworks used by Strategic Suppliers in FY25/26, ranked by call-off volume and split by sector:
|
Sector |
Framework |
|
Outsourcing & FM |
Asbestos, Legionella, and Mould Management 24-28 |
|
Technology |
G-Cloud 14 |
|
Construction & Engineering |
Construction Professional Services |
|
Consulting |
Management Consultancy Framework 3 |
|
Telecoms |
Network Services 3 |
|
Aerospace & Defence |
Marine Systems Support, Maintenance Repair Overhaul |
*Data is correct as of November 2026.
Profiles of the 36 Strategic Suppliers
(Data covers FY25/26; listed alphabetically)
Below is a list of all 36 Strategic Suppliers to the UK Government, containing the total number of contracts they've been awarded since FY20/21; their total value; the number of public sector organisations that buy from them; their largest public sector contract by value; their most used framework, and their Crown Representative.
Please note that public procurement spending by a handful of departments, most notably the MOD and MOJ, is significantly undercounted in this analysis due to limitations in published invoice data.
1. Accenture
Accenture is a professional services company that operates primarily in the IT and digital consulting sector. It is headquartered in Dublin and was founded in 1989.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
53 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£442m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Home Office Software - £242m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Technology Services Three - £242m |
|
Crown Representative |
Nick Griffin |
2. Amey
Amey is an Oxford-based infrastructure support service provider that primarily operates in highway and rail transportation and facilities management. Since 2003, Amey has been a subsidiary of the Spanish transportation company, Ferrovial.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
50 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£1.2bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Complex Track Works - £7m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Phil Brookes |
3. AtkinsRéalis
Atkins is multinational engineering, project management and consulting company. Founded in 1938, the company was acquired by Canadian company SNC-Lavalin in 2017.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
245 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£415m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Isle of Lewis Substation Works - £143m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Ann Pedder |
4. Atos
Atos is a French IT and consulting company that specialises in communications, cloud-computing and cyber-security. Its subsidiaries operate in healthcare and outsourcing. Atos was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Bezons, France.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
21 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£551m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Technology Services 3 - £59m |
|
Crown Representative |
Nick Griffin |
5. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs. It was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Seattle.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
23 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£350m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
G-Cloud 13 - £59m |
|
Crown Representative |
Jay Chinnadorai |
6. Babcock
Babcock is a multinational engineering company that specialises in managing complex assets and infrastructure. Founded in 1891, the company does the bulk of its business with public bodies.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
21 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£633m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26 |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Joanne Thompson |
7. BAE Systems
BAE Systems PLC is a British multinational defence, aerospace and security company. It is the largest defence contractor in the UK by sales. BAE Systems was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY24/25) |
26 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY24/25) |
£1.2bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY24/25) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY24/25) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Meryl Bushell |
8. Balfour Beatty
Balfour Beatty is a multinational construction company that operates in the infrastructure sector. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
54 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£2.5bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Highway Maintenance - £900m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Jane Bristow |
9. BT
BT is a British telecommunications company that provides fixed-line, broadband and mobile services. Formerly known as British Telecom, the company was privatised in 1984.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
238 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£691m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
IT Managed Services - £200m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Beverley Tew |
10. Capgemini
Capgemini is a French multinational company that was founded in 1967. The company primarily provides technology, consulting and outsourcing services.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
67 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£940m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Core outcome-based IT services - £172m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
RM6195 Big Data and Analytics - £295m |
|
Crown Representative |
Beverley Tew |
11. Capita
Capita is a business processing and outsourcing company. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY24/25) |
71 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY24/25) |
£639m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY24/25) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY24/25) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Jane Bristow |
12. CGI
CGI is a Canadian IT company that operates in consulting, systems integration and outsourcing. The company was founded in 1976 and its headquarters are in Montreal.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
49 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£374m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Beverley Tew |
13. Deloitte
Deloitte is a multinational professional services firm and one of the “Big 4” auditing companies. Deloitte also provides tax, consulting, and financial advisory services. Founded in 1845, the company has its headquarters in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
121 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£345m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Paul Jaques |
14. DXC
DXC is a multinational IT company. The company operates in outsourcing, consulting and managed services. DXC was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Virginia.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
6 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£92m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
John Clarke |
15. Bouygues Group UK
This year, parent company Bouygues has replaced Equans as the UK Government's 16th strategic supplier. The French engineering group acquired Equans in 2022, and has been involved in major construction projects such as the Channel Tunnel, HS2 and the French National Library.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
44 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£1.7bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Jane Bristow |
16. EY
EY is multinational professional services firm, and one of the “Big 4” auditors. EY also provides assurance, consulting and advisory services. The company was formed by a merger in 1989 and is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
88 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£246m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Nick Griffin |
17. Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a multinational ICT equipment and services company that offers a diversity of products across computing and telecommunications. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and was founded in 1935.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
10 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£388m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Vincent Kelly |
18. G4S
G4S is a British security services company that operates in secure transportation, the provision of security personnel and monitoring equipment. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
27 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£477m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Phase 2 Contact Centre Services - £235m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Meryl Bushell |
19. IBM
IBM is a multinational IT company that offers hardware, software and cloud computing services. The company was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in New York.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
59 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£653m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
RM6335 Digital and Legacy Application Services (...) - £285m |
|
Crown Representative |
Jay Chinnadorai |
20. ISS
ISS Facility Services is a multinational company that operates primarily in facilities management and the provision of catering, security, support and property services. ISS was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Copenhagen.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
13 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£422m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Jane Bristow |
21. KBR
KBR is an American engineering, procurement and construction company. Formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton, KBR was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Houston.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
28 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£234m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Robin Hughes |
22. Kier
Kier is a construction company that operates primarily in building, civil engineering and support services. The company was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Bedfordshire.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
73 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£3.1bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
DfE Construction Framework - £274m |
|
Crown Representative |
Phil Brookes |
23. KPMG
KPMG is a network of professional services firms, and one of the “Big 4” auditors. The company provides auditing, tax and advisory services. KPMG was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Amsterdam.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
159 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£188m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
MOD Managed Learning Service - £216m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
John Clarke |
24. Laing O'Rourke
Laing O'Rourke is a British international construction company. It was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Dartford.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
6 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£229m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Phil Brookes |
25. Leidos
Leidos is a US company specialising in defence, aviation, IT, and biomedical research.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
3 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£680m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
G-Cloud 14 - £1m |
|
Crown Representative |
Joanne Thompson |
26. Microsoft
Microsoft is a technology company, producer of personal computers and the largest provider of software in the world. Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Washington.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
120 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£124m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
G-Cloud 14 - £26m |
|
Crown Representative |
Jay Chinnadorai |
27. Mitie
Mitie is an outsourcing and energy company. The firm provides consultancy, facilities management and custodial services. Mitie was founded in 1987 and its headquarters are in Bristol.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
110 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£1.6bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Ann Pedder |
28. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a multidisciplinary consultancy company that provides design, engineering and project management services. The company was formed through a merger in 1989 and its headquarters are in Croydon, Greater London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
152 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£275m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Ann Pedder |
29. Oracle
Oracle is a multinational IT company that operates in enterprise software, database software and cloud computing. Oracle was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
145 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£355m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
RM6285 Back Office Software 2 - £101m |
|
Crown Representative |
Nick Griffin |
30. PwC
PwC is a professional services network and one of the “Big 4” auditors. Founded through a 1998 merger, PwC provides assurance, advisory and legal services worldwide. The company is headquartered in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
126 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£195m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
|
|
Crown Representative |
Nick Griffin |
31. Serco
Serco is a multinational outsourcer that works across the public sector. Serco provides health, security and border services in the UK and around the world. The company was founded in 1987 and has its headquarters in Hook, Hampshire.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
26 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£1.3bn |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Prison Education Framework (PEF) - £447m |
|
Crown Representative |
Paul Jaques |
32. Sodexo
Sodexo is a food services and facilities management company that serves schools, prisons, universities and military bases. The company was founded in 1966 and has its headquarters in Paris.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
14 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£356m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Prison Education Framework - £392m |
|
Crown Representative |
Meryl Bushell |
33. Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria is an ICT company that specialises in the provision of consultancy, systems integration and subcontracting solutions. Sopra Steria was established in 2014 as part of a merger and is headquartered in Annecy, France.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
17 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£571m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
Home Office BPO Extension - £44m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Technology Services Three - £18m |
|
Crown Representative |
VAmelia Green |
34. Thales
Thales is a French multinational company specialising in electrical systems, defence systems and security. It was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Paris.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
10 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£175m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
|
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
N/A |
|
Crown Representative |
Paul Jaques |
35. Virgin Media 02
Virgin Media is a telecommunications company that provides telephony and internet services. Since 2013 Virgin Media has been a subsidiary of Liberty Global PLC. The company has its headquarters in Hook, Hampshire.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
126 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£182m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
WAN and LAN Services - £10m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Network Services Three - £42m |
|
Crown Representative |
John Clarke |
36. Vodafone
Vodafone is a multinational communications conglomerate that operates in the provision of telephony and IT services. The company was founded in 1991 and has its headquarters in London.
|
Contracts Awarded (FY25/26) |
88 |
|
Direct Public Sector Revenue (FY25/26) |
£175m |
|
Biggest Contract Awarded (FY25/26) |
WAN Services - £163m |
|
Top Framework Used by Value (FY25/26) |
Network Services Three - £137m |
|
Crown Representative |
Amelia Green |
*
To see a deeper analysis and comparison of the government's Strategic Suppliers, download Tussell's 9th Strategic Suppliers report.
All the data in the above tables was generated using Tussell's market intelligence platform - book a demo today to start monitoring the Strategic Suppliers yourself!
