2025 has certainly been a landmark year for procurement, with the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and Awaab’s Law which has had huge effect on the sector and required close collaboration in the supply chain. It’s also been an important one for NHMF Frameworx as Paul Smith joined the team as Head of Frameworx. Paul reflects on 2025.
I started with NHMF Frameworx in May, and it has genuinely been a fantastic 7 months. I joined the organisation at a pivotal time: David Miller and the team had built strong foundations around integrity and commitment to delivering genuine value. The proposition for clients and providers is great; there’s an inclusive set of agreements and an impressive network of members and providers already with a huge amount of works being procured in just 3 years. In fact, we hit the £300m milestone in September and we’re looking to close off the year with £330m value of works procured.
It has been a real pleasure getting out and about meeting as many clients and contractors as I can and have built some great relationships, one of my initial priorities when joining the team. Although I am new to Frameworx, I am not new to social housing procurement, so it’s been great to build on previous relationships too. The tender process is pretty rigorous and that has certainly paid off, with the quality of the approved providers on our list evident.
Trends in the year
There have been some interesting trends appearing this year that I thought would be good to share:
- Planned Maintenance is still the priority.
We have a general interest across all our agreements, but Planned Maintenance leads by a country mile. We have two agreements in place, the original 2022 version which is based on V7 of the M3NHF Schedule of Rates, and the 2025 Planned Maintenance, Net Zero and Passive Fire Works 2025. This agreement was designed around V8 following a significant overhaul to be the most accurate reflection of market costs and industry standards available.
- Direct Awards make it all possible.
Nearly all works this year have been procured through direct awards, compared with running mini competitions. Contractors and clients alike relish the ability to secure works through a compliant, secure, low-cost route that is often quicker and much more efficient.
- Procurement experts have a positive impact.
One of our priorities is to have a team made up of procurement professionals, rather than sales people. We can offer knowledge and experience to support our members at every stage of the procurement process, whether that’s through mini-competition, direct award or looking at new framework opportunities.
- Genuine commitment to DMC.
There has been an overwhelming response to Awaab’s Law, with everyone up and down the supply chain committed to doing the right thing and mobilising effectively to hit the 27th of October deadline. Damp, Mould & Condensation is a serious issue borne from tragedy, and as with Grenfell, it’s heartening to see the sector get behind delivering positive change.
- Social Value is top of the agenda.
We’re particularly delighted about this trend as to us, social value is more than just a tick box exercise. There may be more emphasis on genuine social value in PA23, but it’s been part of our ethos from the very beginning. Frameworx is a not-for-profit with a commitment to making a difference, and all our surpluses are invested back into social value, sustainability, innovation, research and training. It’s been a key talking point for us this year (check out my earlier blog: https://www.nhmfframeworx.org.uk/thinking-outside-of-the-tick-box-when-it-comes-to-social-value/). We sponsored the inaugural Housing Executive Award’s Social Value category, and we’ll be celebrating our own social value awards at the upcoming NHMF Conference in January 2026.
- Waves of decarbonisation.
It’s reported that applications to Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 were oversubscribed by over £1 billion [housing.org.uk], demonstrating strong uptake and interest and since the successful applications announcement in March 2025, it’s been fantastic to see plans progressing and the opportunities coming through Frameworx. Delivering retrofit across small, medium and large-scale programmes balanced with value for money and quality outcomes remains a challenge for the sector, and we’re doing all we can to support, by providing effective routes to market and procurement and contractual support.
- Prioritising Healthy & Decent Homes.
The introduction of Awaab’s Law has kicked started a real shift in attitudes. Many are looking beyond damp, mould and condensation to the other 28 hazards defined in the HHSRS. Ventilation is a big priority and we’re looking forward to how we can provide a better procurement solution to support this drive next year.
- New procurement rules.
Although most of our current agreements have been procured under the “old rules” due to timing, the impact of the new Act has been prolific. I was impressed with the help and support the NHMF and Service Provider Forum has facilitated for both clients and contractors to understand the new Act’s impact on procurement processes. And, we are looking forward to the new Guide to Procurement Act, which we’ve input into as part of the NHMF Procurement Working Group, being released in February next year (with a pre-launch at the NHMF Conference in January).
Looking forward
2026 is going to be another great year for us. We will be reprocuring some of our original agreements for Consultancy Services as well as adding new ones like Security, Access & Life Support Systems, Structural Repairs & Civil Engineering and Specialist/Sub-Contractor Services. We’re also in talks with our clients and providers about other specialist agreements. More to follow on this next year! All of these will be procured under the PA23 rules, so lots of opportunities for SMEs and social value.
Personally, I will continue my mission to develop relationships with our members and providers. This will start at the NHMF Conference in January. We’ll be back with the Frameworx lounge and have a couple of key events lined up in here:
- Social Value Lounge: Celebrating Impact, Sharing Learning and Connecting Communities (NHMF Frameworx Lounge – sponsored by Axis / CLC)
Tuesday 20th January, 17:30
This session transforms the NHMF Frameworx Lounge into a dedicated Social Value Lounge, bringing together clients, partners and providers to celebrate meaningful social value delivery across the sector.
Attendees will join us for a relaxed drinks reception as we recognise the Winners and Highly Commended organisations from the Social Value Award (announced at Monday night’s 25th Anniversary NHMF Best Practice Awards Dinner), who will be formally presented with their social value donation cheques.
The session will hear directly from the award winners and highly commended clients, who will share insights into their social value projects, the outcomes achieved to date, and how the donations will be used to further support and enhance these initiatives. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and engage in an open discussion around delivering, measuring and maximising social value in practice.
Axis / CLC will also share their approach to social value delivery and the impact they create for clients and communities.
The remainder of the session will provide dedicated time for informal networking, encouraging collaboration, learning and connection between conference attendees.
Speakers:
Social Value Award Winners and Highly Commended Clients
Axis / CLC
Chair: Paul Smith, Head of Frameworx
- Clearing the Air – Coffee, Cake & Candid Conversations (Frameworx Lounge)
Wednesday 21st January, 10:15
A follow-on session to Plenary 3, giving delegates the chance to continue the conversation on Awaab’s Law, healthy homes and landlord accountability. Join members of the panel for informal, audience-led discussion over coffee and cake
Speakers:
Lisa Turner, Head of Operations, Peabody
Dr Eve Blezard, Policy Lead, Chartered Institute of Housing
Chris Harrison, Insight and Systemic Lead, Housing Ombudsman
Chair: Paul Smith, Head of Frameworx, NHMF Frameworx
Social value awards
We will also be presenting our first Social Value awards on Monday evening at the awards. Congratulations to finalists Peabody (nominated by Purdy) and Frameworks HA. Your projects are outstanding and we look forward to hearing more about them at the Awards.
Available for a chat
David and I will be available in the lounge throughout the conference, so please pop in and see us, and if you would like to secure a time officially, contact us directly.
We look forward to seeing you there, and in the meantime, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your business this year and wish you Season’s greetings and a restful break over the festive period.
See you in 2026!
