The UK public sector spends billions each year on architecture, engineering and construction consulting - and the market is changing.

In this article, we unpack the key trends shaping public sector AEC consulting, from buyer and supplier concentration to framework use and early buying signals.

For the full analysis, including detailed rankings, framework data and Lot-level insights, download The 2026 Public Sector AEC Consulting Market Report.

Skip ahead to read about:

• How big is the UK public sector AEC consulting market?
  
• Which public sector buyers spend the most on AEC consulting?
  
• Who are the largest public sector AEC consulting suppliers?
  
• How important are frameworks for winning public sector AEC work?
• Which frameworks are used most for AEC consulting?
• Why does Lot-level framework activity matter?
• How can AEC consultancies identify public sector opportunities earlier?
• How can AEC consultancies win more public sector work?

How big is the UK public sector AEC consulting market?

The UK public sector spent £5.0 billion with AEC consultancies in FY24/25, up from £3.8 billion in FY19/20.

That represents 32% nominal growth over five years, but just 6% growth in real terms once inflation is taken into account.

Which public sector buyers spend the most on AEC consulting?

AEC consulting spend is concentrated among a relatively small number of public sector buyers, with the top 10 accounting for more than half of the market.

Transport organisations remain major buyers, but the balance of demand is shifting. Central Government now represents a larger share of AEC consultancy spend than it did five years ago, while Transport accounts for a smaller proportion of the market.

For suppliers, this means the opportunity is spread across a broader mix of public sector organisations than it was in FY19/20.

Who are the largest public sector AEC consulting suppliers?

The UK public sector AEC consulting market is dominated by a relatively small group of major suppliers.

In FY24/25, AtkinsRéalis was the largest supplier by direct public sector revenue, with Amey, WSP and AECOM also among the leading firms. The top 10 suppliers together accounted for 65% of total AEC consultancy spend.

See the full buyer and supplier rankings, revenue figures and market analysis in The 2026 Public Sector AEC Consulting Market Report.

How important are frameworks for winning public sector AEC consulting work?

Frameworks are now a major route to market for AEC consultancies. In FY24/25, 56% of AEC consulting contracts were awarded through a framework or DPS, up from 36% in FY19/20.

For suppliers, framework access is increasingly important to competing for public sector work - but simply being on a framework is not enough. The next question is which frameworks are actually generating activity.

Which frameworks are used most for AEC consulting?

AEC consulting work is spread across a growing number of frameworks. In FY24/25, 190 distinct frameworks were used to award AEC consultancy call-offs, almost double the number used five years earlier.

But activity is not evenly distributed. A relatively small number of frameworks account for a large share of call-off value, with National Highways’ Operational Technology Commercial Framework leading the market in FY24/25.

For AEC Consulting firms, finding the frameworks that are being used to award relevant contracts is the first step to winning work with the public sector.

Why does Lot-level framework activity matter?

Framework-level data can hide big differences in how individual Lots are actually used.

On RM6165 Construction Professional Services, for example, just 1% of matched call-offs went through the High Rise Lot.

Two suppliers can therefore sit on the same framework but face very different levels of opportunity depending on the Lots they can access. Lot-level activity gives a clearer view of where demand is actually flowing.

Download The 2026 Public Sector AEC Consulting Market Report for the full framework and Lot-level analysis.

How can AEC consultancies identify public sector opportunities earlier?

Tender notices only show opportunities once procurement is already well underway.

Earlier signals can appear in council and departmental meeting minutes, procurement pipelines, budget approvals, and strategy documents - often months before a formal tender or pre-tender notice is published.

In H1 2026, Tussell identified 3,189 early buying signals relevant to engineering and construction suppliers, helping teams spot emerging demand before it reached the tender stage.

How can AEC consultancies win more public sector work?

Winning more public sector AEC work starts with focusing on the right parts of the market.

That means identifying the buyers that matter most, understanding which frameworks and Lots they actually use, tracking incumbent suppliers, and spotting demand before it reaches the tender stage.

Download the 2026 Public Sector AEC Consulting Market Report for the full analysis of the buyers, suppliers, frameworks and opportunities shaping the market.

Want to start turning insights into action? Speak to our team to see how Tussell's market intelligence platform can help you identify the buyers, frameworks, Lots and early opportunities most relevant to your market.

FAQs

What is AEC consulting in the public sector?

AEC consulting covers architecture, engineering and construction-related professional services bought by public sector organisations. This can include design, engineering, technical advisory, project management, infrastructure planning and other specialist consultancy services supporting public buildings, transport and infrastructure projects.

Which public sector frameworks are most important for AEC consultancies?

The most important frameworks are those that are actively generating relevant call-off work.

In FY24/25, National Highways’ Operational Technology Commercial Framework generated the highest identified AEC consultancy call-off value in Tussell’s analysis, while CCS RM6165 Construction Professional Services was also a major route to market.

But headline framework value only tells part of the story. Suppliers also need to understand which Lots are actually being used, by which buyers, and for what types of work.

Which public sector framework lots are most important for AEC consultancies?

The most important Lots vary by framework and service line, but the biggest opportunities tend to sit in Lots covering broad built environment, engineering and infrastructure services.

On CCS RM6165 Construction Professional Services, for example, the Built Environment Lot is the most heavily used, while some specialist Lots see far less call-off activity.

The key is to look at actual Lot-level usage, not just whether a framework appears relevant on paper.

How can I build pipeline in the public sector AEC consulting market?

Building a public sector AEC pipeline means identifying demand before opportunities reach the tender stage.

Early signals can appear in procurement pipelines, budget approvals, meeting minutes, and strategy documents months before a formal tender or pre-tender notice is published. Tracking these signals alongside contract expiries, buyer priorities, frameworks and incumbent suppliers gives sales teams more time to qualify opportunities and engage the right accounts.

Which CPV codes should I use to search for AEC Consulting tenders and contracts?

CPV codes such as 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services and 71300000 - Engineering services can help surface relevant opportunities.

But they should not be relied on alone. Public sector buyers use CPV codes inconsistently, so relevant contracts are often tagged too broadly, too narrowly or incorrectly.

How can I learn about the public sector AEC Consulting market?

Start with the data: understand how much the public sector spends, which buyers and suppliers dominate, which frameworks and Lots are actually used, and where future demand is emerging.

Tussell’s Public Sector AEC Consulting Market Report brings those trends together in one place, with analysis of market size, buyer and supplier concentration, framework activity and early buying signals.

For a deeper, account-level view, Tussell can also help you track the specific buyers, frameworks, Lots, contracts and upcoming opportunities relevant to your market.