New Paper Explores Ethical Rule-Flexing in Public Procurement
What happens when procurement professionals find themselves navigating the space between following the rules and achieving the right outcome?
A new paper from Paul Revell and Alex Barker explores the fascinating and often unspoken subject of ethical rule-flexing in public procurement – examining the pressures, contradictions and real-world judgement calls that can shape the everyday work of procurement professionals.
The paper was introduced as part of NEUPC Connect 2026: The Power of Procurement – Skills, Learning & Impact, held at York St John University in September.
Challenging the way we think about procurement
Public procurement operates within a highly regulated environment, and for good reason. Rules, procedures and governance provide transparency, consistency and accountability.
But procurement professionals also work in complex organisations where circumstances are rarely straightforward.
Paul and Alex's paper opens up a conversation about what happens when those two realities meet.
It explores the situations in which professionals may find themselves interpreting, navigating or challenging established processes in order to deliver an outcome they believe is right – and the professional judgement involved in making those decisions.
Rather than providing simple answers, the paper encourages readers to consider some important questions about rules, ethics, organisational culture, professional confidence and change.
From Be More Pirate to procurement
The collaboration brings together two different but complementary perspectives.
Paul Revell brings his experience and insight from within procurement, while Alex Barker, author and speaker from Be More Pirate, brings a perspective centred on challenging established conventions and creating positive change.
Alex also opened NEUPC Connect 2026 with a keynote encouraging delegates to question the status quo and consider how change can begin from within organisations.
Together, their work asks us to look at procurement through a slightly different lens.
When is challenging an established way of doing things constructive? How do procurement professionals exercise judgement while maintaining integrity? And do our organisational cultures give people the confidence to question a process when they believe there may be a better way?
Continuing the Connect conversation
The themes explored in the paper closely reflect many of the conversations that took place throughout NEUPC Connect.
The conference focused not only on procurement processes, but on the people, skills, behaviours and relationships that increasingly define the profession.
As procurement continues to take on a more strategic role within Higher Education, the ability to exercise professional judgement, challenge constructively and navigate complexity will become increasingly important.
The paper provides an opportunity to continue that conversation beyond Connect and invites procurement professionals to reflect on their own experiences.
Have your say
Paul is also undertaking research exploring how UK public procurement practitioners navigate the pressures, contradictions and real-world judgement calls that shape their day-to-day work.
We would encourage colleagues working in and around public procurement to read the paper, reflect on the questions it raises and contribute their own experiences to the wider conversation.
Read the paper here:
Help Paul with his research
Our very own Paul Revell is carrying out research exploring how public procurement professionals navigate the pressures, contradictions and real-world judgement calls that form part of everyday procurement.
If you work in or around public procurement, Paul would really value your experience and perspective. It only takes a few minutes to take part, and every response will help build a richer picture of what procurement looks like in practice – not just on paper.
👉 Take part in Paul’s research:
Complete the research survey
Please do support Paul if you can – and feel free to share the survey with colleagues across the public procurement community too.