YPO (Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation)

Regional public-sector purchasing consortium serving Yorkshire and beyond, providing frameworks, contracts and procurement services to schools, councils and other public bodies.

What YPO is

Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) is one of the UK's largest public-sector purchasing consortiums, established in 1974 to serve local authorities, schools, academies, and other public bodies primarily across Yorkshire and the Humber region. Now operating nationally, YPO provides framework agreements, direct contracts, and procurement services to over 2,500 organisations.

Services provided

YPO operates extensive framework agreements covering categories including office supplies, ICT equipment, furniture, catering supplies, grounds maintenance, and construction services. These frameworks allow member organisations to call off goods and services without running separate procurement exercises, saving time and costs while ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.

The organisation also provides direct purchasing services, procurement consultancy, and educational programmes. YPO's frameworks are accessible through their online ordering system, YPO Market Place, which streamlines the purchasing process for members.

Membership and governance

YPO operates as a joint committee of local authorities, owned by its member councils. This structure ensures democratic oversight while maintaining commercial efficiency. Membership is open to all public-sector organisations, with different membership categories offering various levels of access to services and frameworks.

Benefits for members

Members benefit from aggregated purchasing power, compliant procurement processes, and reduced administrative burden. YPO's frameworks undergo rigorous OJEU-compliant procurement processes, ensuring legal compliance while delivering value for money through competitive pricing achieved via collective buying power.