May 2026 - the Middle East and global supply chains.

 The closure of the Straits of Hormuz has been going on longer than expected.  (well, longer than I expected - but I didn't expect the situation to arise, so what do I know?)

The New Normal  which looks at the petrochemicals industries is warning that things COULD get a lot, lot worse before they get better.

We are just at the point where buffer stocks are running down.  But even it everything opened up tomorrow it may till take 6 months or more to get back to normal.

That means at least 6 months of higher prices for fuel and chemicals (and hence everything), shortages and disruptions.

Good procurement professionals have been looking at their options a matter of course, but just at the moment the shift from Lean supply chains to Resilient supply chains seems essential.  IF you can, of course.

Which is why we get a package for our trip to Malta, so that if flights were cancelled because of a lack of aviation fuel our holiday company was responsible for our accommodation  (we saw what happened when the volcano in Iceland stopped flights over Europe and we had to stay in Egypt for an extra week - those who booked independently had to fend for themselves).  Yes there is insurance, but who wants to have to go through that process when they are on holiday?

And there is much greater interest in alternatives to fossil fuels - but that transition will take time and money.  This shock might just be the trigger though.

Meanwhile, we are seeing decreases in students from the Gulf coming to the UK for procurement training courses... just to show that the immediate and obvious impacts are not the only ones.

So, one last Malta photo (obvs we got there and back with no problems).  (yes they have Red phone boxes, and post boxes).

MCIPS

 It is exam result time...

Which is not always easy for tutors.

But we at The Procurement Academy have a great bunch of delegates, and I am delighted that our last L6 cohort is getting the results needed and becoming MCIPS. 

Some are then going immediately on to claim their Certified Procurement Professional status.

A reminder that it is really quite easy once you have done the hard work to get MCIPS.

Next time for L6 we are looking at Strategic Global Commercial Strategy, which is (if anything) too interesting these days!

Anyone wanting to get started on the process, please get in touch.  Not easy but interesting and rewarding. Typically 3 to 3 1/2 years from L4 to completing L6.  Apprenticeship funding may be available for L4.

Meanwhile, here is more Malta...  Pretty, isn't it?

PA2023 - first court case through: Parking Eye v Velindre University NHS Trust

 This is actually a bit faster than I expected, but there is a good reason for it.

I thought with the general backlog of court cases we might not get anything through until 2027 (which is a problem!).  However this case (ParkingEye Ltd v Velinder University NHS Trust & Anor [2026] EWHC 1019 (TCC)) rather needed to be resolved quickly as it involved a request to lift automatic suspension after a challenge.  

So, there is a lot of legal commentary around this (which is worth following up) but the basis is that ParkingEye were the incumbent who lost and challenged the decision during standstill - which automatically triggers suspension of contract award.  The Trust appealed this, claiming that delay would have significant costs and damages would be an adequate resolution if it was found that there was a problem.  This was the old American Cynamid test, which is very familiar to old public procurement lags.

BUT the court has decided that lifting suspension is not appropriate given the 3 matters it has to consider;

 1.The public interest, including (among other things) upholding the principle that public contracts should be awarded in accordance with the law and avoiding delay in the supply of goods, services or works.

2.The interests of suppliers, including whether damages are an adequate remedy for the claimant. 

3. Any other matters that the Court considers appropriate.

Now it appears that the court thinks that damages are an appropriate remedy, but has still decided not to lift suspension.  Which puts a great emphasis on the Trust to resolve this quickly in order to finally enter into the required contract.  

Now, ParkingEye (the people who run car parks) were also involved in one of my least favourite court cases (ParkingEye Vs Beavis) which determined that parking charges were not penalties (I still think that they are... but legally they are not). So their name is going to be bandied around a lot more.  The effect should be to emphasise the need to get the procurement right first time, as the old approach of entering contract and paying damages later if necessary is not going to be quite as likely to work.

All in all, not a bad principle I think.

(note: the fact that the Trust is in Wales does not appear to be a factor in this case, but remember there are various specific elements of the PA2023 that differ from England in NI and Wales).

Parkingeye Limited v Velindre University NHS Trust & Anor

Neutral Citation Number[2026] EWHC 1019 (TCC)

BIP Solutions/PASS Procurement - Preparing Perfect Tenders 28th May 2026 online

Well, I'm back from holiday (Malta, thanks for asking - see below - it's lovely).  So time to get ready for Preparing Perfect Tenders (online).

Full details are here.  Best be quick if you want to join us.  I hope that you do.

(Sorry it is just online, and not in person in Malta... maybe if enough people ask?)