Beyond the Bottom Line

Overcoming the “Immunity to Change” TO DELIVER Local Economic GROWTH

Partners: Recurve & Bloom Procurement Services | Status: Live – Research Phase

The Challenge: An Engine Stuck in Neutral

The UK’s economic engine needs attention. Every year, the public sector spends billions of pounds—a sum that holds immense, untapped potential to drive local economic growth, create opportunities for SMEs, and build more resilient communities.

The policy ambition is clear. Leaders across the public sector want to use this spending power for social good. Yet, despite the urgency and the mandate, the engine often remains stuck in neutral.

At Recurve, we believe the problem isn’t a lack of desire or policy to do things differently. The problem is a profound, internal resistance to strategic action—a phenomenon of systemic self-sabotage known as “Immunity to Change”.

The Project

Recurve is proud to have launched a new strategic collaboration with Bloom Procurement Services.

This project is not just another discussion about "what" needs to happen. It is a deep dive into the "why not."

Drawing on the Immunity to Change framework developed by Harvard researchers Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey, we are surfacing the invisible barriers—the hidden commitments and competing priorities—that prevent public agencies from fully leveraging their spending power.

We are bringing together senior leaders to explore:

• The Hidden Handbrake: How the pressure for short-term savings is crowding out long-term value.

• Risk Aversion: How we can de-risk partnerships with SMEs and VCSEs to diversify supply chains.

• The "Why Not": Why, despite having the policy and the need, we are still stopped from doing things differently.

Perspectives

Sam Markey, Founder of Recurve, commented:

“Public procurement is often viewed as a bureaucratic necessity—a back-office function driven by compliance and cost. But in reality, it is one of the most powerful levers we have for strategic policy.

When we treat procurement as a transactional activity, we leave value on the table. But when we view it as a strategic tool, we can unlock billions for local growth. By actively removing the barriers that lock out SMEs and VCSEs, we don’t just buy services; we build resilient, innovative local economies. This project is about finding the courage to diagnose the system and move from 'transactional headache' to 'engine of renewal.'”

Join the Conversation

We are currently in the research phase of this project, gathering data to inform a flagship report and a series of expert roundtables.

We want to hear from those on the front line: What is stopping you from doing things differently?

Your inputs will help shape the final report and the agenda for our upcoming VIP launch event.

Participate in the survey to request a copy of the final report or to express interest in joining our expert advisory group.