What is ESPO?
ESPO is one of the country’s largest public sector owned professional buying organisations (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. We offer a comprehensive, one-stop shop solution of over 27,000 catalogue products, 120 frameworks and bespoke procurement services, all with free support and advice available from our expert teams.
Being 100% owned by the public sector means that any surplus we make after recovering our costs is returned to the public purse.
Who owns ESPO?
ESPO is owned and governed by a consortium of six member authorities:
 | Leicestershire County Council |
| Norfolk County Council |
| Lincolnshire County Council |
| Cambridgeshire County Council |
| Warwickshire County Council |
| Peterborough City Council |
Each member authority elects representatives who sit on ESPO’s Management Committee. It is the role of this committee, along with ESPO’s Director, to make key decisions over how ESPO operates.
Although ESPO is owned by these six member authorities we supply to customers throughout the England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Where is ESPO located?
Our head office and warehouse is centrally located in Leicester, just off junction 21 of the M1. We also have a distribution centre in south Wales that enables us to offer a fast and efficient nationwide service.
Who can use ESPO?
ESPO has been providing quality solutions to the public sector for 40 years, and over that time we have grown from our local authority roots, to serve every corner of the public sector and beyond. Today, we have many customers who are:
| Local and Central Government including MOD |
| NHS and emergency services |
| Schools, academies and free schools based in the UK and abroad |
| Charities and housing associations |
| Selected limited companies |
As a local government consortium we have to be selective about who can use us, as this is bound be relevant legislation. If you aren’t sure whether your organisation would be eligible, please speak to our Registration team - contact details can be found on our Contact us page.
Why should I use ESPO?
For over 40 years, procurement has been at the heart of what we do here at ESPO and our public sector ethos ensures that we always aim to provide the very best value for our customers. From our market leading choice of frameworks to our wide product range and bespoke support, ESPO provides a true one-stop shop for all your procurement needs.
What services does ESPO offer and how do I use them?
ESPO can help provide products and services to you in the following ways:
Products: Over 27,000 products can be viewed within our product catalogues or on our website. Orders can be placed online, via email, over the phone or through your finance system. Before placing your first order you must apply for a credit account with us here.
Frameworks: These are agreements containing the details of suppliers of goods or services and that have been through our legally compliant tendering process. Customers are able to order goods directly from listed suppliers, either straight away or after a further competition process (depending on the framework in question). You can see our full framework offering online, however in order to find out more detailed information or access our framework user guides, we ask that you register on our website here.
Bespoke procurement projects: At ESPO we have a dedicated team specialising in bespoke procurement projects including new build and refurbishment projects that require large furniture and equipment (F&E) requirements. Working closely with you, our team can support you to streamline your project and help ensure things run smoothly from start to finish. For more information please click here.
Support: As an ESPO customer you will be allocated your own dedicated Account Manager who will be able to assist with any help or advice you may require, specialising in both the education and non-education sectors. Visit our Contact us page to send us a message, and the Account Manager for your local area will be in touch.
Do you have a modern slavery statement?
Yes, click here to read our modern slavery statement.
Do you have a GDPR compliance statement?
Yes, click here to read our GDPR compliance statement.
