Effective procurement is no longer about buying services, but a strategic lever for innovation. In 2026, there is a renewed emphasis on working with SMEs, embedding social value, and fostering homegrown capability rather than relying solely on large vendors. This session explores how government can buy smarter, deliver better outcomes, and enable innovation across the public sector. How can we balance risk with efficiency, while ensuring tech investments contribute to the green transition, mission-led innovation, and UK digital capability, and align with broader government objectives.

• How can departments balance working with SMEs and large vendors to drive innovation?
• How can procurement decisions strengthen UK digital capability rather than just buying solutions?
• How do procurement reforms support environmental, social, and economic objectives?