Case Study: Diocese of Westminster Trust

Client:

Diocese of Westminster Trust

Overview:

Over the last few months we started a working relationship with the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust, helping them secure and deliver their Internal Audit Services.

The Trust wanted to receive bids from a range of audit firms that had experience of the academy sector and so decided on using the CMP Education Buying DPS for Financial Advisory and External Audit Services, as it allows customers the flexibility of inviting suppliers to the bidding round following an assessment.

Objective:

As a growing Trust, the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust was looking to partner with a trusted Internal Auditor to help manage the financial risks associated with a growing educational establishment. The Trust wanted to partner with an experienced auditor to report into the Audit and Risk Committee & work alongside the finance team.

The Challenge

Ensuring Organisational Fit

It was a key objective for the Trust to appoint a company that had sufficient experience in working with Multi-Academy Trusts, that understands the risks and challenges faced by a growing organisation.

Risk Based Approach

The MAT wanted to adopt a risk-based approach to auditing to target priorities and efforts the achieve maximum impact.

Value for money

While this was a new contract requirement, the Trust were keen to ensure it was affordable and delivered great value for money.

Our Solutions

Suppliers

Invite specific suppliers to join the DPS so they could submit a bid for the Trust.

Documents

Draft the specification and tender documents for the Trust.

Evaluation

Coordinate the evaluation process, including providing templates for evaluation, arranging and hosting presentations and drafting the supplier feedback letters on behalf of the Trust.

The Results

Tender and contract delivered on-time
Service procured within anticipated cost envelop budgeted by Trust
Contract in place for September start of term

The Impact & Benefits

Reputational enhancement
Remain compliant
Value for money for the school

Micon Metcalfe

Chief Financial Officer

We recently used CMP Education Buying to procure our new Internal Audit Service. Our timescales were tight and the EB team worked at pace to work up our tender documentation and assessment criteria. The use of a dynamic framework meant we could invite leading service providers to bid in the knowledge that we were compliant with ESFA best practice regarding procurement. I valued the professional guidance relating to fair procurement processes and using the service meant that our procurement timeline did not slip. I believe using specialists is great value when you factor in the time and expertise you'd otherwise need in your team to avoid missteps.