Published date: 15 November 2022

This notice was replaced on 11 January 2023

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 11 January 2023)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

EC2Y 5AS

Value of contract

£44,000 to £50,000

Procurement reference

FRC2022-0206

Published date

15 November 2022

Closing date

13 December 2022

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

2 January 2023

Contract end date

25 July 2023

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management.

The FRC is encouraging listed companies to increase the level of diversity in their UK operations. Companies need to consider how diversity and inclusion are relevant to the specific circumstances of their business, the markets they operate in, the workforce upon which they rely and the customers and communities they serve.

The FRC aims to maintain high standards and guidance in actuarial work to protect the public interest from the risks arising from actuarial work. In addition to its own promoting of high standards of equality, diversity, and inclusion among our regulated community, the FRC is interested in gathering evidence specifically on the extent of, and reasons for, gender imbalance among Scheme Actuaries (for Pension Schemes) and Chief Actuaries (for Insurers).

The objectives of this research project are to:
A. Gather and assess primary evidence on the reasons for gender imbalances among senior actuaries (Scheme Actuaries for Pension Schemes, and Chief Actuaries for Insurers).
B. Assess the barriers/disincentives for women to progress towards senior actuarial positions. Are there consistent themes to such barriers? At what point(s) in a person's career path do the identified barriers tend to be most often experienced?
C. Identify (and document) cases where good practice has facilitated women's progression to senior positions in the actuarial profession

We anticipate the information needed to meet the objectives outlined above will best be gathered using interviews and focus groups. However, bidders may suggest alternative engagement formats, approaches and innovations if beneficial.

The engagements would be driven by an interview/topic guide developed by the contractor's research team, working closely with the FRC's subject matter experts, as well as any other expertise the contractor can offer (please specify in your proposal). Bidders should provide examples of potential topics and questions in their proposals. These should be of sufficient breadth and depth to demonstrate the research team's knowledge of the relevant issues, as well as their ability to apply this effectively in the specified engagement formats.

The FRC recognises that, due to the subject matter, participants may wish to remain anonymous. The research contractor will need to assure participants of the confidentiality of any information they disclose and that it will only be used in anonymised form.

PLEASE SEE THE TENDER DOCUMENT FOR FULL DETAILS.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

Notes:-

• Download and review the documents

• Observe the timelines and tender process

• Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk

• You will need to register your interest to receive the Q&A document.

About the buyer

Contact name

Head of Procurement

Address

8Th Floor,125 London Wall
LONDON
EC2Y 5AS
England

Telephone

020 7492 2300

Email

procurement@frc.org.uk

Website

https://www.frc.org.uk