This page summarises the Education Commercial Services (ECS) offer, which provides specialised procurement solutions for schools.
Education Commercial Services (ECS) is a procurement organisation with a difference.
ECS work exclusively with the education sector. But ECS are not just there to serve the sector, they remain a firm part of it.
As part of our commercial arm, ECS understand the unique challenges and restrictions schools and academies face because here at Bishop Wilkinson, we’ve faced them too.
ECS understand that:
Purpose-built by schools for schools, ECS will unlock your purchasing power to reduce costs, optimise value and maximise social value.
ECS is the trading name of Bishop Wilkinson Commercial Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust.
As a multi-academy Trust comprising 48 schools, serving more than 16,000 pupils, we needed procurement solutions that recognised the individual requirements of each school, avoided duplication, were fully compliant, maximised budgets and saved money. We knew our size and scale gave us significant buying power and we wanted to fully leverage it.
By blending sector know-how with expertise from hand-picked professionals with a proven track record in procurement for education, we have made significant improvements.
ECS is fully outsourced to independent professionals and managed accordingly with a governance structure that ensures the BWCET board oversee, challenge and guide developments.
The dedicated partner for ECS is Value Match Ltd.
ECS have been comprehensively designed to support schools and Trusts through the entire procurement process. Whether completely new to purchasing or focused on a more coordinated, strategic approach to consistently unlock better value, the ECS team can help.
The ECS expert team will work with you to understand your current situation and requirements with a view to establishing a tailored strategy that will release cashable savings now and in the longer term. Working with schools and Trusts, the ECS team will demystify the procurement function, share best practice and upskill and empower individuals and teams.
ECS work exclusively for schools and academies, their purpose is to improve commercial activity to ensure as much of the budget as possible supports children and educational outcomes.
ECS are a not-for-profit organisation and remain Academy owned, governed and directed.
The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is an exempt charity. It is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 07890590. The registered office address is Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education HQ, Barmston Court, Turbine Business Park, Nissan Way, Washington, SR5 3NY.
