Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, is setting up a national framework to provide a wide range of HR and recruitment services to the public sector. The framework includes eight lots covering services such as interim and permanent executive recruitment, temporary and permanent generalist recruitment, assessment and testing, outplacement and career transition, HR business process outsourcing, and workforce development including coaching and “Recruit – Train – Deploy” models. The framework is worth an estimated £350 million, runs from July 2026 to July 2028, and may be extended to July 2030. Multiple public sector organisations across the UK can use the framework to access these services. Suppliers will be added to the framework and may be invited to provide services either directly or through competitive call-offs.

This opportunity is ideal for recruitment and HR service providers, including executive search firms, staffing agencies, training and assessment specialists, outplacement consultants, and HR outsourcing providers. Suppliers need to be able to deliver high-quality, compliant HR services across a range of sectors, including local authorities, NHS bodies, education, and emergency services. The framework gives suppliers access to a wide range of public sector customers and the chance to deliver additional value through workforce planning, career development, and social value initiatives.