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Who are the NHS Strategic Suppliers?

Who are the NHS Strategic Suppliers?

Posted by Ben Pollard Picture of Ben Pollard on 24 June 2025
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Introduction

In May 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - in collaboration with NHS England and the Cabinet Office - launched the National Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) programme.

This initiative involves appointing four experienced business leaders as Health Crown Representatives to enhance partnerships with 15 key strategic suppliers to the NHS.

But who are the NHS Strategic Suppliers? And what's their role in public sector health procurement?

In this blog, we provide an overview of:

Despite some overlap, the 15 NHS Strategic Suppliers are different to the 39 UK Government Strategic Suppliers. To download Tussell's full UK Government Strategic Suppliers Report, click here.

Tussell Strategic Suppliers 2024 Report Download

 

❓ What are the NHS Strategic Suppliers?

NHS Strategic Suppliers are private sector companies that play a critical role in delivering goods, services and innovation across the UK health system - from life sciences and diagnostics to facilities management and medical technologies.

Their importance to the functioning and resilience of the NHS has led to the formalisation of their status under the National Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) programme, launched in 2024 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England, and the Cabinet Office.

The suppliers designated under this programme are typically among the NHS’s highest-value commercial partners, although there is no strict financial threshold for inclusion. Several are also recognised as Strategic Suppliers to wider Central Government.

 

Download Tussell's NHS England & DHSC Procurement Report


💡  What are the pros and cons of becoming an NHS Strategic Supplier?

Earning a place as an NHS Strategic Supplier is a significant milestone for any company operating in the health sector.

The designation signals that a supplier plays a vital role in supporting the NHS’s operations, whether through essential medicines, diagnostics, technology or infrastructure. It brings with it the advantage of a more structured, long-term relationship with the health system, guided by dedicated Health Crown Representatives.

This close alignment with senior NHS and government stakeholders offers enhanced visibility, early engagement on future needs, and the opportunity to help shape strategic priorities - from innovation pipelines to supply chain resilience.


However, Strategic Supplier status also comes with heightened scrutiny and expectations. Under the National Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) framework, suppliers are expected to be proactive partners: sharing insights, identifying risks, and demonstrating alignment with NHS goals.

 

👥  Who are the Crown Representatives?

The Crown Representatives act as key liaisons between the UK Government and its most significant suppliers, ensuring value for money and effective collaboration. As of June 2025, the following four individuals currently serve as Crown Representatives for the NHS Strategic Suppliers:

Deb Steane 

Deb brings over 27 years of leadership experience at Johnson & Johnson, alongside a decade working as a medical microbiologist. Her expertise spans both business and healthcare.

You can find her here on LinkedIn.

Keith Nurcombe

Keith has a cross-sector background encompassing telecoms, technology, health and social care, with experience in both the public and private sectors.

You can find him here on LinkedIn.


Oliver Cofler

With an engineering background, Oliver serves as a Non-Executive Director at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, contributing his technical and governance expertise.

You can find him here on LinkedIn.

Paul Richards

Paul is a Non-Executive and Senior Independent Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. He has a broad background in healthcare, life sciences, and organisational transformation.

You can find him here on LinkedIn.

 

👥  Who are the NHS Strategic Suppliers?

As of June 2025, there are 15 companies designated as NHS Strategic Suppliers under the National Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) programme.

This list includes some of the most influential organisations in life sciences, medical technology, healthcare services, and facilities management -companies whose products and services are considered critical to the delivery and sustainability of NHS care.

Discover how the public sector is procuring HealthTech


Notable names include:

  • AstraZeneca, Pfizer, GSK, and Roche (life sciences)

  • Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Abbott (medical devices and diagnostics)

  • Sodexo and ISS (facilities and estates services)

The composition of this list is expected to develop over time, as supplier relationships evolve, market conditions shift, and NHS commercial priorities develop.

Profiles of the 15 NHS Strategic Suppliers

Below is the current list of the UK Government’s 15 Strategic Suppliers.

Want to uncover the public sector footprint of these top NHS suppliers? Book a chat with the Tussell team today to learn how our Public Sector Market Intelligence Platform can help.

1️⃣  Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare company specialising in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generic medicines. It supplies critical diagnostic equipment and testing solutions to the NHS.


Since 2016, Abbott has generated over £300m in revenue from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), alongside significant income from major clients such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and numerous NHS trusts.

2️⃣  AstraZeneca

 

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company that develops and supplies a wide portfolio of medicines, particularly in oncology, cardiovascular, and respiratory care.

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it played a pivotal role in the UK’s public health response by co-developing and distributing one of the first widely used COVID-19 vaccines in partnership with the University of Oxford.

 

AstraZeneca continues to be a key partner to the UK public sector, supplying essential medicines and supporting NHS healthcare delivery.

 

3️⃣  Circle Health Group

 

Circle Health Group is one of the UK’s largest independent hospital providers, partnering with the NHS to deliver elective surgeries and other healthcare services.

 

 


By supporting the reduction of waiting lists and expanding clinical capacity, the group plays a key role in relieving pressure on the public healthcare system. Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) represent Circle Health Group’s most significant public sector clients by revenue.

4️⃣  GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

 

GSK is a British multinational pharmaceutical company that researches and manufactures a wide range of medicines and vaccines, playing a key role in the NHS’s immunisation programmes and treatment landscape.

 

It is perhaps best known for developing 'RTS,S', the world’s first malaria vaccine - a major breakthrough in global health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GSK also contributed to the UK’s response through a jointly developed vaccine, which was deployed in a limited capacity.

 

5️⃣  ISS

 

A global facility services company, ISS provides the NHS with essential services such as cleaning, catering, and maintenance, ensuring safe and hygienic environments in healthcare settings.

 

Read Tussell's analysis of the public sector FM market

 

 

In addition to its work with the NHS, ISS performs facilities management for several Central Government Departments and Local Authorities, including FCDO and MOD.

 

6️⃣  Johnson & Johnson

 

A US multinational corporation, Johnson & Johnson offers a broad range of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer health products, supplying the NHS with surgical instruments, orthopaedic products, and more.

 

7️⃣  Olympus KeyMed

 

Originally a Japanese firm, Olympus acquired KeyMed Medical & Industrial Equipment in 1987 - a British medical equipment manufacturer.

 

Now, Olympus KeyMed specialises in optical and digital precision technology, providing the NHS with endoscopy and other medical imaging equipment, aiding in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures.

 

8️⃣  Optum (formerly EMIS)

 

A subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, Optum is a health services and innovation company. It delivers data analytics, technology, and services to the NHS, supporting healthcare management and improving patient outcomes.

 



 

9️⃣  Medtronic

 

A global leader in medical technology, Medtronic supplies the NHS with devices and therapies for various conditions, including cardiac and neurological disorders, enhancing patient care and treatment options.

 

1️⃣ 0️⃣  Pfizer

 

Pfizer is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation that provides the NHS with a range of medicines and vaccines, including those for infectious diseases and chronic conditions.

 

Best known for its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer has more recently expanded into AI, gene therapy, and GLP-1s.

 

1️⃣ 1️⃣  Roche

 

A Swiss multinational healthcare company, Roche offers the NHS diagnostic tools and pharmaceuticals, particularly in oncology and virology, contributing to disease detection and management.

 



1️⃣ 2️⃣  Sandoz

 

A global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, Sandoz supplies the NHS with cost-effective medication alternatives, supporting affordable healthcare delivery.

 

1️⃣ 3️⃣  Sodexo

 

Sodexo is a French multinational specialising in food services and facilities management, delivering a range of essential services to the NHS - including patient catering, cleaning, and estate management - to support the smooth and efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

 

Its public sector footprint extends well beyond the NHS. As one of the Cabinet Office’s 39 Strategic Suppliers, Sodexo also provides facilities management services across the Ministry of Defence, the prison estate, and blue light organisations.

 

Read Tussell's analysis of the UK Government Strategic Suppliers

 



1️⃣ 4️⃣  Spire Healthcare

 

A UK-based private healthcare provider, Spire Healthcare collaborates with the NHS to offer additional capacity for surgeries and treatments, aiding in reducing patient waiting times. 

 

1️⃣ 5️⃣  Teva

 

An Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company, Teva supplies the NHS with a wide range of generic medicines, supporting the provision of affordable treatment options.

 

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Book a Tussell demo to learn how top NHS suppliers are already using Tussell's market intelligence platform to do more business with the public sector.