A new dawn for Welsh education: establishing Adnodd with Posterity Global’s support

Date: 2023-2024  

Adnodd, a brand new Arms Length Body (ALB) established by the Welsh Government, was entrusted with a critical mission: 

“to create an all-Wales infrastructure for the production of timely and relevant educational resources in both Welsh and English, supporting the goals of the Cymraeg 2050 strategy and the Education in Wales: Our National Mission."

This ambitious remit, outlined in a formal Remit Letter from the Welsh Government, emphasised the need for rapid progress in establishing Adnodd as the primary source for bilingual educational materials in Wales.

However, as a newly formed organisation, Adnodd needed to quickly establish operational capabilities, develop a robust governance structure, and create a sustainable commissioning model to effectively manage resources in order to deliver on its ambitious goals.

This is where Posterity Global stepped in. Recognising the urgency and complexity of Adnodd's situation, we implemented a comprehensive strategy to guide the organisation's development over an 18-month period:

• Building the foundation 
• Agile procurement: Posterity Global utilised agile procurement methodologies to swiftly procure essential foundational services, ensuring Adnodd could begin operations quickly and efficiently. This involved navigating complex procurement processes, contract negotiations, and service delivery, all while adhering to the requirements of relevant legislation, such as the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
• Good governance: We established robust corporate governance arrangements that met the standards set out in the Companies Act 2006, the Well-being of Future Generations Act, and The Public Services (Social Value) Act. This ensured Adnodd operated with transparency, accountability, and in line with the Welsh Government's expectations.
• Charting the future
• Minimum viable commercial function: Posterity Global helped Adnodd develop a lean and efficient commercial function, complete with clear principles, governance procedures, and comprehensive training. This framework provided a solid base for Adnodd's growth and adaptation, enabling them to manage their increasing responsibilities as outlined in their remit letter.
• Operational empowerment: To enhance Adnodd's operational capabilities, Posterity Global developed a suite of essential tools:
  • End-to-end procurement documents
  • A centralised contracts register
  • Tailored commercial training programs
  • Robust contract performance management systems
  • Strategic routes to market aligned with a minimum viable product (MVP) commissioning model.
• Empowering self-sufficiency: Crucially, Posterity Global prioritised equipping Adnodd with the skills and resources needed for long-term success through continuous knowledge transfer. We provided detailed training, process flow charts and comprehensive procurement templates, empowering Adnodd to conduct its commercial activities confidently and independently.

• A commissioning model for Wales: Posterity Global also developed a bespoke commissioning model that reflected the unique needs of the Welsh education sector. This model, detailed in the "Adnodd Cyfyngedig Commissioning Model" document, ensured value for money while maximising the utilisation of local expertise, knowledge, and skills within Wales. This comprehensive document provided Adnodd with a clear framework for:
• Understanding and assessing needs: Through comprehensive stakeholder engagement and analysis of existing resources.
• Designing services: By considering various commissioning approaches and levels to meet the diverse needs of the education sector.
• Sourcing suppliers: Utilising robust procurement procedures, including direct award guidelines and the Light Touch Regime, to ensure compliance and value for money.
• Monitoring and evaluating services: Through effective tracking of performance, outcomes, and risks.
• Ensuring quality: By implementing a robust quality assurance framework to maintain high standards and drive continuous improvement.

Value & Impact:

The impact of Posterity Global's work was significant and far-reaching. Adnodd CEO Emyr George and the Board expressed their gratitude for the "expert advice and know-how" that was "instrumental in getting Adnodd off the ground." They specifically praised Posterity Global's commitment to the Well-being of Future Generations Goals.

Furthermore, the success of Posterity Global's intervention was evident in Adnodd's ability to secure additional funding. Adnodd’s CEO, Emyr George, reported that Adnodd was poised to receive large amounts of additional funding, a feat he attributed directly to Posterity Global's work in establishing a solid foundation for the organisation. He praised the team for helping to "create a very good news story" in government with ministers and for keeping "civil servants happy," ultimately leading to increased support from ministers.

Through Posterity Global's strategic guidance and operational support, Adnodd successfully transitioned from a newly formed Arms Length Body to a key player in Welsh education. Adnodd launched operations, secured critical services, built a sustainable foundation for future growth, and secured increased funding – all within 18 months. Adnodd is now empowered to fulfill its remit and contribute to a brighter future for students and educators across Wales.

Let’s Build Better Procurement, Together

At Posterity Global, we work with public sector leaders who want procurement to be strategic, future-ready, and drive social value for money.

To hear more about our insights and how we could help you deliver, please get in touch

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