Securing public sector tenders takes more than great products or services. It demands a strategic, well-resourced approach to marketing and business development. For most SMEs, building an internal team with all the necessary expertise is costly and time-consuming. The smarter alternative? Outsourcing.
Outsourced marketing and business development gives you access to experienced specialists who understand the public sector landscape. From framework navigation and tender alerts to SEO, content, and lead generation, you get a team that delivers results—without the overhead of in-house hires.
This guide explores how outsourcing can help you win more public sector contracts, what to expect from a good partner, and how to align your marketing and business development with procurement expectations and opportunities.
Why outsource your marketing?
Tap into real expertise
A solid marketing strategy needs a mix of skills: SEO, content, lead generation, social media, and campaign planning. Hiring people to cover all of that? Costly. Outsourcing gives you access to entire teams with deep experience and fresh ideas. Plus, they bring what they’ve learned from working with other clients and sectors.
Better value, better results
Beyond salaries, internal marketing teams need training, tools, and time. Outsourced services come ready to go; with systems, software, and skills already in place.
Many businesses find it’s 30–50% cheaper than building an internal team and far more flexible.
Scale up when you need to
In-house teams can’t always keep pace with growth or sudden demand. Outsourced partners can step in with extra capacity when you need it, then scale back once things settle. Whether launching a new product or entering a new market, they flex around you.
Lead generation that works
Attract the right people
Inbound marketing draws people to you - people already looking for what you offer. It’s built on useful content, SEO, email marketing, and smart follow-ups. Done well, it brings better leads and more conversions.
Create content that connects
Your prospects want solutions. Great content shows them you’ve got answers. Blogs, whitepapers, videos, case studies - our marketing team know how to create it all. More importantly, they know how to make it rank, engage, and convert.
Nurture leads without the hassle
Generating a lead is only the start. Nurturing takes time, tools, and know-how. With the right marketing automation and outsourced support, prospects stay engaged until they’re ready to buy, and your sales team spends less time chasing cold leads.
Outsourced business development
A strategic approach to growth
Business development isn’t just cold calls and networking. It’s market research, prospect targeting, relationship building, and opportunity tracking. Outsourced providers use proven methods to deliver measurable results.
Build relationships at scale
It’s tough for in-house teams to juggle client work and new business. Outsourced business development gives you the bandwidth to build relationships with more prospects, more consistently.
This is especially valuable in sectors like government or utilities, where sales cycles are long and trust is key. Experienced providers know the process and play the long game.
Create and manage a healthy pipeline
A reliable pipeline means steady revenue. But most SMEs don’t have the systems to track opportunities well. Outsourced business development teams do. They keep your pipeline full and moving, from first contact to signed contract.
Public sector growth
Get to grips with frameworks
Public sector sales are a big opportunity, but they’re complex. Frameworks, compliance, mini-competitions... It’s a world of its own. Our outsourced services help businesses navigate this, position themselves for success, and turn framework places into actual revenue.
Make tenders work for you
Winning tenders takes skill. Writing compelling, compliant bids is hard - especially if it’s not something your team does every day. That’s where we come in. Our bid writing support increases win rates and takes the pressure off your team.
Choosing the right partner
Seamless integration matters
The best outsourced teams feel like an extension of your own. Look for partners who take time to get to know your business, goals, and culture. Communication should be regular, clear, and collaborative. At Thornton & Lowe, we cherish the relationship we have with you.
Think long-term, plan short-term
Start with one or two services, maybe content and SEO, then expand. A good partner grows with you, offering broader support as your needs change.
Why Thornton & Lowe?
We’ve spent 14+ years helping businesses grow through marketing, tenders, and business development. Whether you’re after inbound leads, stronger SEO, better tender results, or public sector growth - we have the team, tools, and track record to deliver.
Our partnerships are flexible, scalable, and built around your business. You get expert support and clear results - without the hassle of managing multiple suppliers or growing an internal team from scratch.
Your outsourced growth team
When you work with Thornton & Lowe, you get a full team dedicated to your growth:
- Head of Sales & Marketing: Your strategist and point of contact, ensuring all activities align with your business goals.
- SEO Content & Strategy Lead: Boosts your online visibility with technical SEO and optimisation.
- Digital & Content Specialist: Crafts high-impact content and PPC campaigns that drive traffic and converts leads.
- Communication & Design Manager: Oversees email campaigns, social media, and visuals.
- Account Manager (Data & Engagement): Manages CRM, personalisation, and ongoing prospect follow-up.
Together, we coordinate your content, email, social, and outreach efforts so they work in harmony.
Quick wins + long-term strategy
We understand SMEs often need results now. That’s why we offer both:
- Quick wins: Tender alerts, bid writing, and lead generation.
- Long-term success: SEO, content marketing, brand authority, and market development.
This means you can start seeing returns fast while building a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
Support as you grow
Need to build your own team later on? No problem. Our recruitment team helps you plan and hire the right roles when the time is right. We see outsourcing as a stepping stone—not a forever solution.
