Helping members get the most from their NOE CPC membership
In the latest edition of TeamTalk, Helen Pendlebury, Head of Customer Engagement, shares how the Customer Engagement Team supports NOE CPC members to maximise value from their membership. From personalised account management and procurement support to innovative tools, events and networking opportunities, Helen highlights how the team helps organisations navigate challenges, build connections and achieve their objectives, while ensuring members continue to benefit from the expertise and services.
As Head of Customer Engagement, I have the privilege of collaborating closely with our members and customers across the NHS and wider public sector. Whether an organisation has recently joined NOE CPC or has been a member for many years, our goal remains the same: to help them maximise value from their membership, access the best procurement support, and connect them with the expertise and opportunities available across our organisation.
For new members, the Customer Engagement Team is often one of the first points of contact. We understand that navigating procurement frameworks, support services, training opportunities, and available tools can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly during periods of financial and operational pressure. Our role is to make that journey as straightforward as possible.
Each member benefits from a dedicated Account Manager who takes the time to understand their organisation, priorities, and challenges. Through regular engagement, meetings, and ongoing support, we help members identify opportunities, access relevant frameworks, and make informed procurement decisions that support their strategic objectives.
The impact of this support is reflected in the value we continue to deliver for our members. During 2025/26, NOE CPC delivered £14.7 million in savings and returned £1.4 million in rebate payments to members. In fact, 74% received rebates exceeding their membership fee, while 86% of members received more than half of their membership fee back through rebate payments. These results demonstrate the tangible value that membership can provide to NHS organisations at a time when every pound matters.
However, membership is about far more than financial savings and resource support.
One area that has seen significant growth is CPC Searchlight; our suite of AI-powered procurement assistants developed specifically for NHS procurement teams. With more than 30 NHS organisations now using CPC Searchlight, the platform is helping users draft documents, access market intelligence, understand procurement regulations and streamline procurement processes more efficiently. It provides practical support that helps teams move from a blank page to stakeholder-ready documents while maintaining confidence in compliance and governance.
We also collaborate closely with colleagues across our Events and Training team to ensure members have access to learning, networking, and development opportunities. During 2025/26, NOE CPC delivered 30 events attended by more than 670 delegates, including legal seminars, procurement updates and networking opportunities designed to keep members informed, connected and confident. The refreshed Members' Forum (CPC Connect) continues to provide a valuable space for collaboration, sharing challenges and discussing future priorities across the NHS procurement community.
Listening to our members remains at the heart of everything we do. Through regular engagement and feedback, we continue to shape our services around the needs of the organisations we support. I am particularly proud that 100% of customers surveyed said they found NOE CPC membership valuable or extremely valuable, with many highlighting the accessibility, professionalism, and expertise of our teams.
As we welcome new members into the NOE CPC community, we remain committed to helping organisations get the most from their membership. Whether that's identifying savings opportunities, providing access to innovative tools such as CPC Searchlight, connecting colleagues through training and events, or simply being available for advice and support, our team is here to help.
We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships, supporting our members' priorities, and delivering value together over the coming year.