Unlocking Government Procurement for Tech SMEs - Addressing Social Value Challenges

We're excited to share our latest report, "Navigating Social Value: Challenges Facing Tech SMEs in Government Procurement." This crucial study explores the real-world experiences of small and medium-sized tech enterprises (SMEs) as they navigate the social value requirements within public sector procurement.

Following up on our previous work, "Improving Social Value in Tech Procurement," this report offers valuable insights gathered from over 100 tech SMEs operating within central government procurements. Our findings uncover the significant challenges SMEs face with the social value requirements in current procurement frameworks and offer recommendations on how to better support these innovative businesses.

Key insights you'll find:

Our report uncovers several critical challenges faced by tech SMEs. Here's a glimpse of what we discovered:

Complexity unpacked: Many SMEs find the current landscape of social value requirements inconsistent and fragmented across different government contracts. This creates significant administrative hurdles and puts them at a competitive disadvantage.

Clarity needed: A lack of clear, accessible guidance on effectively demonstrating social value leaves SMEs feeling confused and often perceiving the system as designed for larger organizations with dedicated resources.

Connecting for success: SMEs are eager for more direct engagement with government buyers to gain a deeper understanding of social value expectations and to effectively showcase their unique capabilities and contributions.

Want the full picture and our recommendations? Download the complete report today to understand these challenges and how we can foster a more inclusive and impactful public procurement process.

Heather Cover-Kus

Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK

Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.

She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.

Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.

Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.

Email:: [email protected]
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538

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Ellie Huckle

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.

The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!

Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.

When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 020 7331 2015
Twitter:: @techUK,@techUK
Website:: www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:: https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx

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Charles Bauman

Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK

Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.

He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.

Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.

Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.

Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bauman-75712016b/

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Francesca Richiusa

Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.

Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.

Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/

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Unlocking Government Procurement for Tech SMEs - Addressing Social Value Challenges

Click here to download the report

Central Government Programme activities

The techUK Central Government Programme provides a forum for government to engage with tech suppliers. We advocate for the govtech sector, evangelise tech as a solution to public sector challenges, facilitate market engagement, and help make the public sector an easier market to operate in. Visit the programme page here.