National Commissioning Academy applications are open: November 2026 to May 2027View dates and fees
The Public Service Transformation Academy

Flagship programme

The National Commissioning Academy

A flagship cross-sector programme for people who need to improve outcomes by working with the whole system, not only individual services, contracts or procurement processes.

November 2026 to May 2027 · £2,490 excluding VAT per participant

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Applications open

Commissioning is bigger than procurement

The National Commissioning Academy is for people who have to improve outcomes across services, organisations and professional boundaries. It began as a Cabinet Office programme in 2013 and is now delivered by the Public Service Transformation Academy.

You will work with the practical realities of commissioning: public outcomes, power, evidence, markets, communities, providers, relationships, resources and uncertainty. The programme does not reduce commissioning to a cycle or a set of procurement steps.

What you will do

  • Bring a live commissioning or system-change challenge from your own work.
  • Learn with a deliberately mixed cohort from local government, health, central government, policing, housing, the voluntary sector and other public services.
  • Test tools and ideas against the conditions in your own place or organisation.
  • Take part in facilitated action learning and peer challenge.
  • Develop a practical 100-day plan rather than a generic set of recommendations.
  • Build relationships you can use after the programme ends.

What you should leave with

You should be better able to see how the wider system is shaping results, define outcomes more sharply, and work across boundaries. You should also make better use of insight and evidence, and intervene without pretending that any one organisation controls the whole system.

The useful output is not a certificate on its own. It is a clearer challenge, a stronger network, tested next moves and greater confidence in what you can do from where you stand.

Who joins

You do not need the word ‘commissioning’ in your job title. The academy is relevant to people responsible for strategy, transformation, service design, partnership working, resource allocation, market development, community outcomes or major change.

Applications from small groups are encouraged. Colleagues can support one another to apply the learning and make it harder for the organisation to push them back into old routines.

Applications are open

The next national cohort runs from November 2026 to May 2027. Contact us about fit, dates, group places, or the live challenge you would bring.

November 2026 to May 2027

The next National Commissioning Academy

Not just buying services. Shaping systems.

£2,490 excluding VAT per participant.
Discounts are available for bookings of three or more people and for organisations willing to host an anchor day.

Bring a live challenge and leave with practical action

The National Commissioning Academy combines anchor days, webinars and expert sessions, action learning, peer challenge, a national network, and a practical 100-day plan. It is for commissioners, transformation leads, and colleagues whose work shapes services, partnerships, systems, markets, or outcomes.

The induction webinar is on Tuesday 10 November 2026. The revised anchor-day dates and session times will be confirmed by David Mason. The main programme runs to May 2027.

Apply or ask a question

How the learning works

Action , applying insight and tools to your own priorities.

Process , facilitation, coaching, experience sharing, and collaborative learning.

Knowledge , proven practice, challenging ideas, and practical know-how.

Five linked learning cycles

1. Whole-system design

Wellbeing, relationships, and organisations across the system.

2. Capacity and outcomes

Capability, confidence, and citizen- and outcome-centred approaches.

3. Insight and innovation

Information, insight, innovation, and making room to make a difference.

4. Commissioning practice

The commissioning process, service design, models, and tactics.

5. Convening change

Putting learning into action and creating the conditions for sustainable change.

What previous participants reported

98%made useful connections
91%rated it a good or excellent use of their time
91%said it was relevant or highly relevant to their learning needs
87%would recommend it to colleagues and peers

Read participant experiences

Start with the work

Tell us what is happening, who needs to act, and what cannot wait.

We will help you decide whether a short diagnostic, a bespoke cohort, a place-based academy, or an existing programme is the sensible next move.

Talk to usSee how bespoke work starts →

Bring a team and a live commissioning challenge

Discuss sponsored-team places on the National Commissioning Academy, or a bespoke programme, with David Mason. Confirm the timetable, places, fees, and sponsor commitment before booking.

For a separately commissioned twelve-week programme combining workplace practice and sponsor review, see our learning and capability partnership.

Bring a team and a live challenge

A small cross-boundary team can use the Academy to work on a commissioning or transformation problem while developing its practice. A useful team might include a commissioning lead, someone responsible for delivery, and a colleague or partner who sees another part of the system.

Identify a senior sponsor who can help frame the challenge, protect time for application, and support action on the resulting 100-day plan. Discuss the intended outcomes, citizen experience, relationships, constraints, and decisions that the team needs to work through.

Team pricing

The individual fee is £2,490 excluding VAT. The 15% group discount for three or more places gives a three-person team price of £6,349.50 excluding VAT, or £10,582.50 excluding VAT for five.

Book a 20-minute team-fit conversation

Tell David your organisation, the live challenge, likely colleagues, sponsor, and preferred time for a conversation. We will confirm fit, the programme commitment, and purchasing arrangements before you book.