Aiding clients to access the UK Public Sector
A Business Development & Bid Consultancy providing a holistic solution
Aiding clients to access the UK Public Sector
A Business Development & Bid Consultancy providing a holistic solution
Our Mission
With government procurement spend exceeding £300 billion annually, the opportunities are considerable but challenging to access.
Cooper and Gardiner Ltd can help navigate companies through complex process by offering its clients two complementary areas of expertise: public sector procurement and market access on one hand, and political insight, government relationship management, and policy understanding on the other.
By combining these perspectives, we provide a comprehensive approach through the legislative barriers of public sector procurement.
Our job is to identify and source opportunities, manage the formation of bids, engage directly with contracting authorities, and remove the stress from the process. This enables our clients to focus on delivery while we help them secure lasting success in the public sector market.
Who We Are
Oliver Cuerden - Director
Kerry Halfpenny - Client Lead
Kerry Halfpenny - Client Lead
Oliver draws on extensive experience delivering complex procurement and commercial programmes across the UK public sector, healthcare system and private industry. He has worked with major government departments, leading high-value procurements and advising on commercial strategy within highly regulated environments.
He provides a unique pe
Oliver draws on extensive experience delivering complex procurement and commercial programmes across the UK public sector, healthcare system and private industry. He has worked with major government departments, leading high-value procurements and advising on commercial strategy within highly regulated environments.
He provides a unique perspective on how procurement, commercial strategy, regulatory compliance and market engagement shape successful outcomes in government contracting. Oliver has led major procurement exercises, negotiated complex commercial agreements and supported organisations navigating large-scale public sector frameworks and procurement legislation.
As Director of Cooper and Gardiner Ltd, Oliver advises both public and private sector organisations on business development, procurement strategy, market entry and bid formulation. His experience working inside government programmes and alongside private sector suppliers enables him to help businesses understand how government procurement operates in practice and how to position themselves successfully to compete for public sector opportunities.
Kerry Halfpenny - Client Lead
Kerry Halfpenny - Client Lead
Kerry Halfpenny - Client Lead
Kerry draws on 20 years' experience in UK politics and campaigning including working with Downing Street on consumer communications.
She has collaborated with all government departments and provides a unique perspective on how public policy, communications, growth and investment drives government procurement.
She also understands how minis
Kerry draws on 20 years' experience in UK politics and campaigning including working with Downing Street on consumer communications.
She has collaborated with all government departments and provides a unique perspective on how public policy, communications, growth and investment drives government procurement.
She also understands how ministers, parliament, special advisors, and politicians operate. The skills are a vital tool for businesses entering the government procurement process.
What We Do
Outsourced public sector business development
For companies without a dedicated public sector team, we become it. Growth strategy, opportunity origination and qualification, pipeline management, market engagement and bid delivery. The full commercial cycle, run as an extension of your business rather than a report handed over at the end.
Public sector market entry
For companies with no track record in government, we build the route in: assessing where your proposition genuinely fits, identifying the buyers who need it, and setting a realistic path to first contract.
Framework access
Most public sector spend flows through frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems. We identify the right ones, prepare the submission, and get you accredited so you are eligible to compete when opportunities arise.
Bid management
End-to-end bid leadership: strategy, win themes, submission development, pricing narrative and clarification handling. Written by people who have sat on the evaluation panel and know how responses are scored.
Early market engagement
The most valuable work happens before a tender is published. We represent you at pre-procurement supplier days and in direct dialogue with commercial and technical stakeholders, so your capability is understood while requirements are still being shaped.
Government relations and policy insight
Understanding where policy is heading, which departments hold the budget, and how ministers, parliament and special advisers influence what government buys.