AJH Consultants bridges the gap between ambitious SMEs and public sector opportunity — guiding you through procurement with clarity, confidence, and insider expertise.
AJH Consultants was founded by three experienced procurement professionals with careers inside UK local government. We understand the processes, compliance requirements, and expectations on both sides of the table.
We kept seeing capable SMEs losing out — not because of their quality, but because of gaps in their understanding of procurement procedures. That's the gap we exist to close.
We support businesses across every contract category and procurement route — from open tenders to complex framework applications.
Meet the Team"The biggest barrier for SMEs isn't capability — it's confidence in the process."— AJH Consultants
From first-time bidders to businesses sharpening their approach — practical support at every stage of the procurement journey.
Clear, structured guidance on how public sector procurement works — from PQQs to contract award.
Compelling, compliant responses that address what evaluators are actually looking for.
Identify gaps in policies, accreditations, and documentation before they disqualify you.
Get onto the frameworks and Dynamic Markets that open doors to years of contract opportunities.
Focused consultations to build a clear, actionable public sector strategy.
Understand your feedback and prepare a stronger submission next time around.
One of the most common reasons SMEs miss out is not understanding which procurement route they're facing. We explain each one in plain English.
The most accessible route — open to any supplier, no pre-qualification. Often overlooked by SMEs who assume they can't apply.
Most CommonGetting onto a framework can unlock years of work without competitive re-tendering every time.
High ValueUnder the Procurement Act 2023, these always-open routes are growing. Suppliers can join at any time — if they know how.
Act 2023 NewOur team has directly managed and evaluated procurement processes within UK local authorities — this is not theoretical knowledge.
We built this consultancy specifically for smaller businesses — not as an add-on, but as our entire focus.
Procurement regulations are evolving. We stay current — including the Procurement Act 2023 — so your approach stays compliant.
We translate complex process into plain-English action steps your team can immediately implement.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll give you an honest picture of your next steps — with no obligation.
Book Your Free CallHundreds of capable businesses miss public contracts every year. Let's make sure you're not one of them.
Three professionals. Decades of combined experience. One mission: helping UK businesses succeed in the public sector.
Between us, we've spent years working within local government procurement across the UK. We've written the specifications, run the evaluation panels, and awarded the contracts. We know exactly what local authorities look for — and what causes otherwise excellent businesses to fall at the first hurdle.
What we kept seeing: capable, well-run SMEs submitting bids that were technically strong but procedurally flawed. Missing mandatory declarations. Failing on social value questions. Misunderstanding evaluation criteria. These weren't failures of quality — they were failures of process knowledge.
AJH Consultants was founded to fill exactly that gap. We're practitioners who've sat on both sides of the table, and we want to help level the playing field for smaller businesses.
"We've reviewed hundreds of tender submissions. We know exactly what separates a winning bid from an unsuccessful one."— The AJH Team
Three professionals. One shared mission. We bring different strengths but a common purpose: helping your business navigate public procurement with confidence.
Alexander served as a Procurement Lead at Essex County Council, where he specialised in the centralisation of public procurement — managing commercial portfolios exceeding £3M in annual spend across goods, services, and works. His background in finance and part-CIMA qualification brings a rare combination of financial rigour and hands-on procurement expertise, most recently delivering over £400,000 in cost savings through competitive tendering and value optimisation. Beyond procurement, Alex's career has spanned diplomatic economic work at the British Embassy in Kazakhstan, international financial analysis, and strategic advisory roles.
An expert in procurement compliance, evaluation frameworks, and tender documentation — ensuring every submission meets the standards evaluators expect.
Henry served as a Procurement Graduate Trainee within the Essex Procurement Partnership, leading end-to-end tendering across ICT, infrastructure, professional services, and fleet procurement. He designed and delivered six procurement training modules grounded in the Procurement Act 2023, and his team won the ECC Procurement Resilience Award 2025. He holds an MSc in Forensic Psychology (Queen Mary, Merit) and a first-class BSc in Psychology (Westminster).
We give you a straight assessment of your readiness — including when you're not yet ready to bid.
Public contracts should be open to all capable businesses, not just those with large procurement teams.
In procurement, detail matters. We pride ourselves on getting the specifics right every time.
We measure our success by the long-term growth of the businesses we support.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call and let's talk about your goals.
From understanding the basics to submitting a winning bid — tailored guidance wherever you are in your procurement journey.
A structured walk-through of how UK public sector procurement works — from terminology and timelines to the evaluation process from a buyer's perspective.
Expert assistance crafting your tender responses — structured to score well and address what buyers actually want to see.
A thorough assessment of your readiness to bid — identifying gaps before they become disqualifications.
Strategic support to get your business onto the frameworks and Dynamic Markets that open doors to years of contract opportunities.
We actively monitor procurement portals and identify live opportunities that match your capabilities and capacity.
Focused, confidential sessions tailored to your specific situation — whether you're new or have bid before without success.
If you've been unsuccessful, we help you make sense of feedback and build a stronger approach for next time.
The new Act changed the rules. We ensure your approach is fully aligned and that you're taking advantage of new SME opportunities it creates.
Book a free discovery call and we'll point you in the right direction.
From major infrastructure to facilities maintenance — we help Works suppliers understand and win public sector contracts across the UK.
New builds, extensions, and structural works for councils, NHS, schools, and government departments.
Road maintenance, resurfacing, signage, drainage, and transport infrastructure across local authority networks.
M&E installation and maintenance for public buildings — lighting, HVAC, and fire safety systems.
Social housing construction, refurbishment programmes, and regeneration projects commissioned by local authorities.
Water, drainage, environmental remediation, and green infrastructure works across the public sector.
Planned and reactive maintenance for public estate — schools, libraries, civic offices, and leisure centres.
Current news and developments relevant to Works suppliers in the UK public sector.
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Our team has direct experience evaluating Works tenders. Let's talk about your next bid.
From office supplies to specialist medical equipment — we help Goods suppliers break into the UK public sector procurement market.
Hardware, software, networking, and digital equipment across local government, NHS, and education.
Council fleet, emergency vehicles, electric vehicles, and specialist transport across public bodies.
NHS and healthcare procurement for diagnostic equipment, consumables, PPE, and specialist devices.
Stationery, furniture, consumables, and workplace equipment for councils and public sector estates.
School meals, hospital catering, and public sector food supply contracts — often framework-based.
Protective clothing for emergency services, NHS staff, local authority workers, and public sector employees.
Current news and developments relevant to Goods suppliers in the UK public sector.
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We'll help you understand frameworks, catalogue procurement, and how to get in front of public sector buyers.
From professional consultancy to digital transformation — we help service providers navigate the competitive world of public sector services procurement.
Management consultancy, strategy, research, and specialist advisory across central and local government.
Software development, system integration, cloud services, cyber security, and digital transformation.
Commissioned care services, mental health provision, domiciliary care, and support services.
Training programmes, apprenticeship delivery, specialist education, and learning technology.
Legal advisory, conveyancing, litigation support, and specialist services under CCS frameworks.
Waste collection, recycling, environmental management, and sustainability services for local authorities.
Current news and developments relevant to Services suppliers in the UK public sector.
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Services tenders are won or lost on quality responses. Let's make sure yours score at the top.
A single-stage process open to any supplier — no pre-qualification required. The most common procurement route in the UK public sector, yet often overlooked by SMEs who assume they can't apply.
Current news and guidance relevant to open procedure procurement.
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Our team has direct experience on both sides of open tenders. Let's talk.
A two-stage process — a Selection Questionnaire first, then an Invitation to Tender for shortlisted suppliers only. Many SMEs are eliminated at stage one without understanding why.
Current news and guidance relevant to restricted procedure procurement.
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We'll help you pass the SQ and win at tender stage.
A Framework Agreement pre-qualifies suppliers and establishes terms under which contracts can be placed. Once on a framework, suppliers win work through mini-competitions or direct call-offs — without a full tender each time.
Current news and developments around UK public sector framework agreements.
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We'll help you identify, apply for, and win work from the right frameworks for your sector.
Dynamic Purchasing Systems and their successor — Dynamic Markets — remain open to new suppliers throughout their lifetime. Unlike frameworks, suppliers can join at any point if they meet the qualification criteria.
Current news and guidance on DPS and Dynamic Markets under the Procurement Act 2023.
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We'll help you identify the right ones and get your application approved.
A brand-new procurement route introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. It replaces the old negotiated procedure and competitive dialogue — giving buyers freedom to design their own procurement process.
Current guidance and news on the Competitive Flexible Procedure.
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We'll help you understand the process and position your business to win.
The most significant reform of UK public procurement law in decades. Here's what changed — and what it means for your business.
Replaces negotiated procedure and competitive dialogue. Buyers design their own process — suppliers should expect more iterative, dialogue-based procurements on complex contracts.
A new mechanism open to new suppliers at any time with a streamlined qualification process. SMEs are explicitly encouraged to use this route by the legislation.
Contracting authorities must now publish forward procurement pipelines. SMEs can plan bids months in advance — a significant advantage for well-organised businesses.
Specific provisions limit requirements that unfairly disadvantage smaller suppliers. Mandatory debrief requirements give better intelligence after unsuccessful bids.
New obligations on contracting authorities and prime contractors to pay suppliers promptly — addressing a long-standing issue for SMEs in the supply chain.
"The Procurement Act 2023 is the biggest opportunity for SMEs in a generation — but only for those who understand how to use it."— AJH Consultants
The new Act creates real, tangible advantages for smaller businesses — but only if you know where to look.
Both retained under the new Act, but with updated terminology and stronger requirements to consider SME accessibility. Evaluation criteria must be published upfront — no mid-process changes.
Continue largely as before but with stronger rules around call-off awards. Maximum term extended to 8 years for some categories. Mini-competitions must follow published criteria more strictly.
The old DPS becomes Dynamic Markets — more flexible and always-open. Any qualifying supplier can join at any time, and buyers can run competitions among all admitted suppliers.
A new catch-all route for complex procurements. Buyers design their own process — suppliers should expect iterative, dialogue-based approaches. Quality and relationships matter more.
A new system of notices — pipeline, planned procurement, and performance — gives suppliers far more advance visibility of upcoming opportunities than before.
Embedded more deeply into the Act. Stronger guidance on weighting economic, social, and environmental outcomes. SMEs with strong local impact stories are very well placed.
The latest guidance, case developments, and implementation news around the Procurement Act 2023.
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We can assess your current approach and ensure you're taking advantage of the new regime.
Whether you're new to government contracting or have bid before without success — we respond within one working day.
No obligation. No pressure. Just an open conversation about where you are and how we might be able to help. Our free discovery call is 30 minutes, available remotely or in person across the UK.
Thank you — we'll be in touch within one working day to arrange your free discovery call.
Fill in the form or email us with a brief description of where you are.
Within one working day we'll reply and suggest a time for a free discovery call.
30 minutes to understand your goals and give you an honest view of your options.
If there's a good fit, we'll put together a clear proposal for how we can help.