As a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), we specialise in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector. We’re not just a catalogue; we offer a comprehensive, one-stop shop solution to our customers, providing access to over 120 specialist frameworks and bespoke procurement services, along with our catalogue range of over 27,000 products.
With over 40 years’ experience, we’re here with free support and advice from our expert teams whenever you need it. What’s more, any surplus made after recovering our costs goes straight back into the public purse.
Being public sector owned ourselves, we understand our customers and the challenges they face – after all, we’re one of you! That’s why our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that providing a compliant route to buying goods and services should include true best value prices year-round, and ongoing support and guidance for procurement, no matter how simple or complex.
Take a look at our latest customer reviews.
Where you can find us
Our head office and warehouse is based in Leicester, right in the heart of the country, enabling us to distribute across England, Wales and Scotland with quick, reliable delivery. If you ever need support, we also have dedicated Account Manager support available for the whole of the UK, as well as our friendly Customer Services team just a phone call away.
We also have a depot based in Arbertillery, Wales and we’re proud to serve our Welsh customers with the support of local Welsh employees including a local Key Account Manager.
Our history
We’ve grown from humble roots, originally established in 1981 to support our member authorities with their procurement. Over 40 years later, we’re now one of the largest PBOs in the country, serving all of England, Wales and Scotland.
Don’t worry, we’re still 100% public sector owned and managed by six member authority councils: Leicestershire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Norfolk County Council, Warwickshire County Council, and Peterborough City Council.
Our people make us, our values shape us
Our values guide everything we do here at ESPO, helping us to provide the best possible service to our customers and operate in a way that’s in line with our public sector ethos.
Part of the ESPO family
Not a public sector body? Don’t worry, over the years we’ve expanded our offering to provide our expertise and services to a wider group of customers, including Private sector business and those outside the UK. SO whatever your business, you can benefit from the best practice procurement that ESPO specialise in.
The following brands are all part of the ESPO family, so keep a look out:
Specialists in early years resources and support. A one-stop shop for early years settings, providing everything from learning resources in line with EYFS to furniture to cleaning and catering products.
A trusted and reliable supplier of education resources for overseas international schools, available through our global network of distribution partners.
We offer everything from early years to secondary resources in line with the UK curriculum.
Providing organisations outside of the public sector scope with a simple route to access over 60 Service Agreements covering a whole range of provisions from energy supply to fitness equipment to advertising solutions.
We give back to UK school and nursery settings through our unique cashback reward initiative which is supported by Sainsbury's/Argos. This scheme to exclusive to ESPO and Eduzone customers.
Find out more about us in our prospectus below. Press the centre icon to view full screen. From the full screen view you can also download as a PDF using the icon in the top left.
Our service commitment
Please click the link below to read or download our service commitment document.
Our service statement
Please click the link below to read or download our service statement document.
Annual reports
Please click the link below to read or download our annual reports.
Our service commitment
Please click the link below to read or download our service commitment document.
Our service statement
Please click the link below to read or download our service statement document.
Annual reports
Please click the link below to read or download our annual reports.
ESPO is a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. We offer a comprehensive, one-stop shop solution to UK schools of over 27,000 catalogue products, 120 frameworks and bespoke procurement services, all with free support and advice available from our expert teams. We also offer a unique range and support for early years settings through our Eduzone brand.
ESPO International is a trusted and reliable supplier of education resources for overseas International Schools, available through our global network of distribution partners we offer everything from early years to secondary resources in line with the UK curriculum.
We give back to UK school and nursery settings through our unique My School Fund cashback initiative which is supported by Sainsbury's/Argos and our 100% public sector ownership means that any surplus we make after recovering our costs is returned to the public purse.
Find out more about us in our prospectus below. Press the centre icon to view full screen. From the full screen view you can also download as a PDF using the icon in the top left.
Our history
Originally established in 1981, we’re now one of the country’s largest PBOs, managed by six member authority councils: Leicestershire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Norfolk County Council, Warwickshire County Council, and Peterborough City Council.
Our customers
From our head office and distribution centre based in Leicester, we service over 20,000 public sector customers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These customers come from all areas of the public sector including:
- Education
- Local Authority and Government
- NHS and Emergency Services
- Wider Public Sector
Our values
Our values guide everything we do here at ESPO, helping us to provide the best possible service to our customers and operate in a way that’s in line with our public sector ethos.
Our service commitment
Please click the link below to read or download our service commitment document.
Our service statement
Please click the link below to read or download our service statement document.
Annual reports
You can find our annual reports
.
Our service commitment
Please click the link below to read or download our service commitment document.
Our service statement
Please click the link below to read or download our service statement document.
Annual reports
You can find our annual reports .