We are currently exploring the possibility of merging with SUPC to provide enhanced services to our members whilst delivering longer term efficiencies. A merger will allow access to increased resources enabling agility and innovation to create future opportunities for our members.

We have convened a Project Board, comprised of the Heads of LUPC and SUPC, and members of the respective Boards and member organisations, to investigate this. The first meeting of the Project Board was held on 6 May. The individuals representing the LUPC Board and wider membership are:

• Andrew Dyer – Finance Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/ LUPC Board Deputy Chair;
• Cristian Martin – Director of Procurement London School of Economics & Political Science /LUPC Board member;
• Jo McKelvey - Head of Procurement and Contract Management Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/LUPC Executive Committee member and representing the non-HE membership for LUPC.

We have produced a project plan with an aspirational date for a decision by the LUPC and SUMS (SUPC) Boards in September 2025, on whether a merger is the best option. We want to ensure that any decision made is the correct one for our memberships, the sector and our staff, we will therefore not progress until we have all the information required to make an informed decision. This includes allowing sufficient time for a member and staff consultation.

With our members being at the heart of everything we do, member input is essential in understanding the opportunities, risks, and concerns associated with this potential merger, and we strongly advise our members to take part in the consultation. We have emailed a link to a short survey to Heads of Procurement at full member organisations, to help us understand what matters most. We recommend all members consult internally with affected colleagues to reflect their experience of working with LUPC. The survey closes on Tuesday 27 May. If not received, please contact Suzanne Picken for a survey link.

For any merger to proceed, there are a number of gateways to be cleared before this could happen:

• the Project Board will make a recommendation, based on the outcomes of the member and staff consultations plus the required legal/governance reviews which are taking place.
• the LUPC Board will need to approve the recommendation of the Project Board.
• LUPC full member organisations will be required to vote on changing LUPC’s Articles of Association to allow a merger to happen. NB. 75% positive approval across LUPC’s full members is required to change the Articles.
• SUMS (SUPC) would also have to meet their own governance requirements and approve any decision.

If you would like to know more, please contact our Director, Don Bowman who would be happy to talk to you directly if you wish to arrange a call.