My role
I’m a partner who plays a leading role in our work with local authorities, housing associations and businesses, in transforming services for the public and meeting the many challenges in society. I am training principal for the firm, responsible for the care of our trainee solicitors and the recruitment and retention of talented people wishing to join their ranks.
My experience
For over 25 years I have advised on working together across the public, private and civil society sectors. I provide strategic advice on models for transforming public services and believe in the ability of those on the ground to make the difference in their neighbourhoods. I am an expert in making social value a core feature in public services.
‘Mark Cook was professional, and always met deadlines. He also gave practical advice not just the legal position.’ Legal 500, 2023
My specialisms
- Public procurement and state aid
- Local government and public law
- Company and commercial law
- Enabling innovation and making connections
Blog
My latest articles
Procurement Bill – Power to the people! (Otherwise known as ‘maximising public benefit’)
On a hot day such as 18 July 2022, what better repast than to wander on to the Government’s Transforming Public Procurement page and then to meander on to the Hansard record of the House of Lords Committee Stage reading of 13 July?
Social value in the award of central government contracts
The UK Government has been consulting on how it should promote social value in its procurements. Here is our response that we submitted to the consultation...
New social value laws: how commissioners can turn collaborators
While doing more for less is the government’s mantra, the concept of social value has grown in importance and culminated last month in the passing of the Public Services (Social […]
Joseph Rowntree Foundation launches new report “Tackling Poverty through Public Procurement”
The national launch event was chaired by Chris White MP, the author of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. Mark Cook, partner at Anthony Collins and author of the […]
Councils are now generally competent and they can still use the well-being power!
In a further answer to prayer, however, the Local Government Act 2000 power to promote well-being has not been abolished for councils in England as Schedule 1 of the Localism […]
Maximising benefits for society through contracts for public services
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, passed on 28th February 2012, has the potential to significantly impact the well being of communities for whose benefit services are procured. The […]
Unleashing localism in procurement: it’s really best value
With rising demand for public services especially for the vulnerable, but with less money and other resources available from the State, councils play a critical role in holding the loop […]
Social Value and Public Procurement – A Legal Guide (1)
This guide is ideal for those who are uncertain of how social value fits with contracting authorities’ duties relating to cross-border appeal and local authorities’ duties of Best Value. The […]
The West Midlands Combined Authority: a promising start
The diamond: this is not just about seven metropolitan unitary councils getting together but the scope for expansion to, and development in, a wider area of local authorities currently […]
What does the Autumn Statement mean for infrastructure?
The Chancellor didn’t tell us much more than we already knew about the new Government’s plans for infrastructure over this Parliament and it seems that the Government isn’t entirely sure […]