Our partners
We’re committed to building strong relationships with our expert suppliers to support our ambition to “create a safe, resilient, outcome-based aligned supply chain which contributes to business performance and enables the business to achieve its ambitions of delivery value for the customer.”
Our supply chain ambition:
• A supply chain driven to deliver customer value where supplier innovation is enabled;
• A collaborative supply chain network;
• A diverse and inclusive supply chain;
• Supply chain partners are vested in our long-term business plans;
• Supply chain partners enable delivery of our environmental and social value ambitions.
Find out more
We’re committed to working ethically with the highest standards of behaviour. Doing the Right Thing is one of our key values that contributes to our success.
Everyone at Southern Water has regular training to maintain our Code of Ethics and our suppliers are expected to share similar values and behaviours. We are committed to Ethical Procurement. Our Procurement Team are trained in ethical sourcing and are required to maintain this training on an ongoing basis.
We have a responsibility to protect and respect the environment in which we live and work – not only for the business, but for customers and future generations too. We make sure everything we do has a minimal impact on the environment. . We look to build strong relationships with the communities we work in and with the help of our supply chain, make a positive contribution to the communities we serve. Our suppliers work with us to promote initiatives which leave a lasting legacy in the community.
We’re a member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, an award-winning industry wide collaboration. Led by our Partners and Members, their vision is “An industry where everyone will have the skills and knowledge to deliver a sustainable future.” Free to join, the Sustainability School offers access to material to upskill businesses and workforce.
Sadly, modern day slavery does still exist. In the UK, modern slavery and human trafficking continue to increase with nearly 17,000 potential victims of modern slavery referred to the Home Office in 2022. A 33% increase compared to the prior year (UK Home Office Stats Published 2nd March 2023).
We’re strongly challenge all forms of slavery and human trafficking and are fully committed to acting ethically in all our activities and business relationships. Our supply chain, contractors, employees and business partners should have the same principles.
We select suppliers who align with our values, comply with all applicable local laws and regulations, and respect internationally recognised human and labour rights.
All our suppliers adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct which sets out the core principles we expect all of our supply chain to comply with when doing business with Southern Water.
We have an open and transparent procurement process and follow the Utilities Contracts Regulations.
What is the Procurement Act 2023?
The act is the most significant overhaul of procurement to date and is part of the Government’s “Transforming Public Procurement Programme” to simplify procurement for public benefit.
It aims to bring greater benefits to both the public sector and suppliers, driving innovation, deliver better outcome and more transparency and visibility of how our customers’ money is spent.
Since 24 February 2025, the new act has changed our procurement and commercial activity.
What changes can you see?
There will be no impact to existing contracts, or procurements that have gone live prior to 24 February 2025.
To align with the new act, here are some of the changes you can see.
-
Notices: our future pipeline of market engagement activity is visible on our sourcing portal and the government’s Find a Tender service,
-
Supplier registration: to work with us, you’ll need to register as a current or potential supplier on the new Government Central Digital Platform. Your details can be stored and used for multiple bids.
-
Competitive tendering processes: these have been simplified to better fit the nature of what’s being procured and the supply market dynamics.
-
Use of more flexible commercial frameworks (open frameworks) that can be opened during their life span.
Government Guidance
The Cabinet Office has developed a number of knowledge drops designed to provide a high-level overview of the changes to the procurement regulations. Some of these are specifically for suppliers, small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations. For more information visit the Government’s guide to the Procurement Act or download their information on the Procurement Bill.
