Mark Cook

Mark advises people and organisations on how to work together across the public, private and civil society sectors, leading the firm’s public procurement team.

He has a strong track record in enabling social, economic, and environmental wellbeing to be a core feature in the delivery of public contracts, having contributed to the formulation of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

Mark provides councils and their partnering organisations with strategic advice on models for transforming public services, using the law to create flexible routes for achieving change. He is particularly engaged in enabling organisations to collaborate in purpose-driven projects, through contracts and governance such as doing business as members of a co-operative.

With over 30 years of experience advising on the requirements of clients, covering the whole cycle of commissioning, procurement and contract management, Mark advises on complicated procurement structures, often multi-dimensional, covering joint ventures and land-based projects. He also advises local authorities in areas of subsidy control, joint venture vehicles and not-for-profit structures. Recognised as a pioneer of emphasising social value in the delivery of public services, he consistently generates positive outcomes for public projects.

Mark enjoys working as one team with client officers and leaders, bringing assurance and a sense of calm to fraught negotiations. His ability to clarify complex matters for his clients instils confidence in them to tackle challenges and provide support through a relationship founded on mutual trust. Mark works hard to deliver solutions that involve people in local communities, and he believes in the ability of those on the ground to make a difference in the neighbourhoods where they live and work.