Our Bid Writing Training
The ability to write a competitive and strong tender submission requires preparation, planning and time. We know that some organisations want to keep the development of their bids in-house, preferring to receive guidance, support and advice.
Thornton & Lowe has designed a range of practical bid writing training courses, designed to help you write a clear, concise, competitive and compelling bid, whilst earning you CPD points.
We have also invested time and resources into developing our training, which has been recognised by the institute of Leadership and Management or ILM.
Check the dates by clicking the calendar below:
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Find out more about our courses below:
If you have any questions about our courses, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Tender Training courses developed by industry experts
The content of our training workshops has been developed around industry best practice, our knowledge and experience, as well as input direct from procurement teams - something which provides a rounded approach to the learning.
We can also develop and provide more bespoke bid writing training, developed around specific needs. For example, it could be focused on your Bid lifecycle, or purely on writing the response.
Our training courses are extremely popular with clients, as they receive hands on, relevant information, as well as plenty of opportunities to have their questions answered by someone who is actively involved in bids, rather than just a trainer. Plus the course is packed full of constructive tips and feedback too. They are delivered by Charles Grosstephan, member of the APMP, who has been involved in over 1,000 bids we have worked on. For more information on Charles, click here.
Tender Process Training Courses
If you aren’t familiar with the tender process, understanding the fundamentals can sometimes be a challenge.
One of the main goals of our training courses is to break the tender process down, step by step, so you come away with a deeper understanding of how tendering works in your industry.
Having a deeper knowledge of the tender process will simply help you to make better bid/no-bid decisions and know exactly how to proceed with tenders.
Writing bids, monitoring contracts and finding tenders are all much easier when you have a solid grasp of the overall process.
Get expert advice and build upon your knowledge by booking onto one of our courses today.
We have courses in the following locations:
Manchester, London, Birmingham, Leeds, Scotland, Wales, York or our new online course
Fletcher Priest Architects
Really interesting. It's given me lots of tips and processes to think about and implement.
ABM Catering Ltd
I really liked & found the real-life examples, audience participation & activities useful to me. It was casual but covered a lot! It was much better than most other courses I have been on. Thank you for all your help & engagement!
Furrer + Frey
Very good, clear and concise. A simple way of explaining a complicated procedure
Kelly ITS
This was really informative and helpful. It answered a lot of questions and got to the point.
The interaction, format and the flow was great. I learnt a lot of new tips to help with the process
Bureau Veritas
Fantastic. Great tutor - very energetic and engaging. Very useful examples, techniques of bids, along with practical activities. Thank you!
Meinhardt UK
Charles was very clear and concise and hit the nail on lots of bid topics.
Access Training
So much useful information, tips, good practice. The days went so quickly. I really enjoyed the course and learnt a lot. I`m actually looking forward to completing my first bid!!
Kent County Council
All of the content very useful. Great mix of presentation, exercise and discussion. Thank you very much.
Hardy Services
Everything was very informative. I've picked up so much that we will benefit from. One of the best (most informative) course I've been on. Trainer was great - very knowledgeable and put across all info really well to all
We Are Beams Ltd
It was relaxed and I didn't feel, because I have no previous experience, that my input was irrelevant. It was good to have our own experiences considered and to receive relevant advice.
NSG Environmental
Thoroughly enjoyed the course. Simple and easy to follow. Relaxed atmosphere and conducive to improving my knowledge.
Grundon Waste Management Ltd
Very good. Casual way of training, in a small group - lots of interaction and discussion. Not boring! Everything was discussed and spoken through. Very interactive and relatable.
Create TVT
Clear & concise - a lot more than I thought.
Will be able to use all the info. Thank you very much
Bethell Construction Ltd
Content was informative. Always good when there is a relaxed atmosphere
Shay Murtagh Precast
Very informative. Interesting information to take away to go back over later. Lots of tips and ideas on how to get people involved at work. Very approachable trainer. More comprehensive than other courses. Got loads of useful information. Thanks a million!
Stannah
It was a very well delivered seminar, tailored to meet our needs when completing PQQs/ITTs. I will put several items of the program in to practice to improve our presentation of bids.
QEB Hollis Whiteman
Being reminded of the basic procedures was very useful. Also case study was beneficial in understanding what the examiner is looking for.
Quanta Training
Clear, good insights in to how to improve writing that I have never thought of before
John Warren ABP Ltd
Well balanced, good pace and well focussed. I have learned a considerable amount of new knowledge and will put it in to practice going forward
Brother UK
I had the introduction to bidding training in March - this followed on well and gave me the information I needed. The information was clearly explained and there was opportunity for discussion as to how this is applicable to us in different roles across the business
ProActive Rail
Engaging trainer. Logical and common sense approach to the subject. All content useful and easy to follow. Hands on activities particularly useful. Good central venue. Learnt plenty.
PPM Ltd
Charles had brilliant knowledge and a really great way of helping us understand processes and ways of improving what we do. Thank you for a great day. Very informative and have taken away a lot from the day
Nycomm
Really impressed. Way above and beyond other courses. Love the content relating to best practise!
MOLA
Much better than others. More engaging and plenty of relevant materials.
Four Seasons Healthcare
Very engaging and easy to understand. Enjoyed the group discussions. Nice relaxed, informal environment
Salford City College
We have been awarded a £400k contract win today (£400k), the bid adopted many features picked up in the training Charles delivered a few weeks ago! Many thanks for your help and my colleague is now also booked on the course.
Castus Solutions
I have really enjoyed the course and it was packed with relevant and useful content. Charles was an excellent trainer, highly knowledgeable and highly engaging, creating a great environment in which to learn
Aspire
Very informative. Useful information to improve my bid writing. Thank you. Found this course useful.
Liberty Group
A lot more indepth than other training courses
Brother UK
Bids & tenders are very new to me, so overall it was all useful. Great presentation - interactive, relaxed and enjoyable
Furrer + Frey
Course was informative and tailored to our needs
TTE Technical Training Group
Thank you so much for yesterday, it really was a great training course. I would say the best I have experienced so far. The APMP foundation is great and you are provided with lots of information prior to the training day to read through, then on the day, you go over certain areas but not all. I could see that the content of your course yesterday included some of the areas from the APMP guidelines but what was great was that we looked into it further and applied it to our own scenarios and the question we developed throughout the day.
Thermatic
Great course. Super helpful, thanks!
Elite Entrance systems
Amazing! We have won several contracts since attending and put it down to the training we received.
Four Seasons Healthcare
It removed the ideas learned previously but also built on it with new ideas and information
Orion Engineering Services
I found the guidance on layout and presentation most useful. We learned how to best answer a question, in future when won’t use 100 words when 10 will do
Althea UK & Ireland
Great course! I left with a good understanding of tenders and am feeling confident. I liked the examples given and the exercises.
Triton Construction Ltd
Very informative by someone who does the actual job - rather than just a trainer
MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology)
Thank you for the session last week- I’ve definitely picked up some useful tips that will help on future tenders both from the writing and bid management perspective.
Active Newham
Very good. Very relevant and bespoke to our business needs.
Thank you. Very useful!
Sibcas
Just wanted to send you a quick email to thank you for the expert advice you offered on the above course. I found the course to be very insightful and I learned lots of new skills which I’m already putting to good use.
Starfish School of Swimming
Thank you. You've opened my eyes to a whole new way of working in relation to bid writing - feel far more positive about the process. Engaging. Excellent trainer.
Trakm8 Group PLC
Well structured, informative and really useful! Helped me identify gaps where we need to improve.
George Cox & Sons
Very enjoyable and informative. The practical discussions were very useful. Interesting to get other people's opinions and views on different subjects.
Sunlight Group Practice
A speaker who new "his stuff" - it was very different to some courses I have been on. He was able to answer ALL of our questions and queries. I have learned a lot and have much more confidence in my bid writing skills.
Learning Curve Group
Very good knowledge that was shared with the group. He could easily answer all questions regardless of specific areas. Much better than other courses I have been on. Very pleased with the training course. I would recommend to others.
Parker Hannifin
Despite having worked on successful bids in the past, it was great to hear and understand how they can be made even better in the future. It was also good to understand where we may have lost "points" on unsuccessful bids in the past due to missing or poor information.
The information offered was clear, concise and delivered very well. I will indeed be putting some of the useful hints, tips and advice into action, and drawing out those benefits.
Stannah
Understanding, professional and informative
Rocom
Very easy to understand and well explained. Would highly recommend.
Thomas Graham & Sons
It tackled some of the items we have been struggling with, especially the Bid/No Bid. I have done an Achilles course before and this was 100% better.
Excellent course. I enjoyed it!
MCRS Ltd
Thanks again for Thursday. We both found it really useful, so much so I spent Friday morning working with the previous owner to establish what procedures/policies we had or didn't have and agree an update program. See you next Thursday
NSG Environmental Ltd
Great presentation by Charles. Good structure to the days. Covered multiple areas
Hayley Group Ltd
Good atmosphere, great content and well delivered. Great clarity and relevant. Recommended.
Pick Everard
Course was thorough - covered some slightly different aspects from other training that I have been on. The course was useful, and it was enjoyable too which helps!
Thrive Tribe
Excellent methodical teaching - hitting home all of the important points. Great venue and food!
SBFM Ltd
Very good. Covered all aspects, a lot more than I expected. Full detail across all different areas.
Cobalt Telephone Technologies
Thorough and sufficient detail provided an overall excellent use of my time
Bromak
Excellent course. Great day. The course has given me a good overall view of objective bid writing. Charles was great in delivery. One of the best courses I have been on. Great structure & content
Stannah
A really enjoyable training course. Charles is a professional.
It was an excellent day. I have to say it was nice to listen to someone with a real passion for what they do.
Wastegone Ltd
Enjoyed the sessions and quite a diverse group with different experience levels which was good.
BAM Construct
Very good and informative course. Many thanks
Creative Play
Following on from the course, we wrote a bid for a Town Council to the value of 80k which we have been successful with, scoring full marks, so the course has been well worth it!
Randox
The course was very engaging and informative. Charles kept the day on track but made everyone feel relaxed and allowed everyone to openly discuss points.
Northern Insulation Contractors (UK) Ltd
Having worked with Thornton & Lowe before, it was interesting to fully understand the flow of bid writing. Great day. Thank you. Will take a lot from today.
Expect Limited
Enjoyed the 2 days. The presenter was obviously experienced and knowledgeable about the subject
Crown Partnership
Great experience! The course I took in London was top-notch and Charles was great at conveying all the key concepts in such a clear way. I will definitely recommend it to my colleagues. 100% recommended!
Elmhurst Energy Services Ltd
I thoroughly enjoyed the Bid Writing course that you delivered last week. It went above and beyond my expectations and I took a lot from it, so I can’t thank you enough
Spectrum Contracting Services Ltd
One of the best I have attended. It was clear and easy to understand. All Round a great course. Much better than I expected.
Keepmoat Regeneration
This course helped me understand and apply the principles of writing a winning bid. I recently completed my APMP Foundation training & qualification and saw this course as the next step as it was far more practical and hands-on, as well as much more bid writing focussed. Made me passionate about going back to work.
NKS Contracts
Exceeded my expectations. Thank you!
Kier
The course was of a high standard led by knowledgeable presenters
Coffey Group
Clearly knowledgeable on subject matter. Suggestions that are currently in use and not hypothetical. Very informative, useful course. Thank you!
Morson Group
Very knowledgeable presenters. It was good to address the rail specifics. Much more useful than a "catch all" bid course
Aaron Burns
I have to say it was one of the best CPD courses I’ve ever attended. Really engaging and incredibly useful – especially so for me who has very little knowledge or experience of the bidding process – I thought the content was pitched at the ideal level.
Pathways
The trainer made it relevant to all fields. The group activities were helpful. It was clear and informative and made relevant to the field I work in. I felt the course outlined the areas I struggled with.
TMS Support Solutions
Very informative.The tasks throughout the day made the theory side come together.
Lanes Group plc
Interactive, informative, clearly knows is subject and felt able to challenge
Manchester and Cheshire Construction Company Ltd
The course really helped, especially with my confidence as I had kind of fallen into this sector and was unsure of what I was doing but your course really helped me feel I can do this!
Aspire
Really enjoyed the course. Made better by the course leader, Charles, and a good group of people attending the course.
PPP Taking Care
Thoroughly enjoyed the course. Taken more away from this than other courses
Active8 Support Services
Thank you so much for the last 2 days – it was a great learning experience for us all - your teaching style put lots of issues skilfully back to us to think about and this seemed to work well. You’ve renewed my passion for writing tenders and I will be much more prepared for the Bid/No Bid pressures when they next come up. I’m putting together my Bid Pipeline today and I vow to stick to it. I also have a flow chart wall and have encouraged people to think about their own working processes in this way to enable my library to grow.
I think I ended up with about 15 action points and I am committed to doing it all.
Great delivery-approach and content, great group and contributions. Thanks again Charles
J Tomlinson
I enjoyed the activities and discussion topics throughout the day as it allowed the sharing of ideas from people in different sectors and companies. I found the tasks useful to apply what I had learnt during the day.
Excellent course and a very enjoyable way of gaining new information. Thank you Charles!
Baywater Healthcare
It was a really good day – it refreshed some knowledge, added some new things and was helpful in setting baseline expectations for our next bid. Thanks for the day.
Hayley Group Ltd
Charles's teaching method is very engaging and no-nonsense. Very punchy and no waffle. Well structured. Really informative and extremely useful. Very relevant to my day-to-day job. I really enjoyed the 2 days. I learned way more than I could have imagined.
Creative Play
Following on from the course, we wrote a bid for a Town Council to the value of 80k which we have been successful with, scoring full marks, so the course has been well worth it!
Nycomm
Excellent training. Will be very useful to supporting us in fine tuning our bid process and writing moving forwards.
Blu-3 (UK) Limited
Very useful course with lots of useful tips. Charles was able to answer questions thrown out
Dirtbusters NE Limited
I liked how each area could relate to all of our workplaces, even though we are all in totally different industries. Really enjoyed it
Groundworks Nottingham
Excellent delivery by someone with great expertise
Health Harmonie
Useful and will the taking a lot away. Really great, thank you!
Human Support group
The training alerted me to everything I needed to know and expanded my limited knowledge of bid engagement.
Rail Safety Solutions
Very interesting. A realisation of the effort needed to prepare a professional proposal
Stannah
I have learned a lot about the bid writing process. It was helpful to know which areas would need improvement and where I could be going wrong. It had less of a classroom feel to it. The training was very knowledgeable and friendly.
DDC Outsourcing Solutions
Very detailed, lots of examples, not rushed
L-3 Marine Systems UK
10/10. It was useful and helped apply the knowledge to bids in our company. Great trainer
Stannah
This course was far more useful than the previous course I have attended, with much more detail
Alchem Industries Ltd
Clear and concise explanation of the whole tender process from start to finish.
Interaction through both days was very good.
Coffey Group
A wake up call on what the client expects to see in a bid. Presenter was very engaging and easy to listen to
Wolseley UK
The pace and style was perfectly executed. It was great to talk to like-minded people from other industries. Our trainer, Charles, was first class
Morrison Utility Services Ltd
So useful! I will definitely be taking it back with me and applying it as much as I can.
In terms of bid writing courses, I have been on one other but this was by far the best. A lot of different people could get value from it - no matter what sector.
Charles is ace! Kept me interested all the way through. Thank you!
Have you considered a Bid and Proposal apprentice for your company? Find out More
