FAQs from Procurement team <\/p>\n
How does the merger contract exchange affect me? <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Nothing changes for suppliers day to day other than we will be part of a larger multi-university group from 1 August 2026. If you are a supplier to Kent your contract will be novated to the new institution. <\/p>\n What will change from the 01 August 2026?<\/strong><\/span>Your contracts, point of contact, and other factors will remain unchanged. The only major change will be that the respective customer identity will change from University Of Greenwich to University of Greenwich (part of London and South East University Group) and, for Kent, University of Kent (part of London and South East University Group).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will there be any process changes? <\/strong><\/span>LASE University Group will continue to procure through existing channels. There will be no process changes in the short term. Over time, email addresses and processes for ordering, invoicing, and payments may change. Be wary of any communications claiming a change to any detail relating to LASE University Group, particularly bank details, and always confirm and check these with LASE University Group and your usual point of contact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How will the integration affect an existing supplier? <\/strong><\/span>Under the merger agreement, the business and undertaking of Kent is being transferred to University of Greenwich, which on 1 August 2026 will change its name to London and South East University Group and adopt new Articles of Association to become a university with two academic divisions \u2013 Kent and Greenwich. As part of this, Kent will novate its contracted rights and obligations to LASE University Group, and LASE University Group shall exercise the rights and assume responsibility for the performance of all of the party\u2019s obligations. In relation to suppliers of Greenwich, nothing changes except that it will have a new name \u2013 London and South East University Group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When will financial transactions like purchase orders, statements and payments be impacted? <\/span><\/strong>From 01 August 2026 all transactions will be instigated and administered by LASE University Group. All purchase requests and services will be issued and paid by LASE University Group. All Invoices from this date should be to LASE.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m expecting a payment from Kent and \/ or Greenwich, will I still receive it? <\/strong><\/span>Yes. The name of the issuing entity may have changed to the appropriate LASE University Group designation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will there be new email contact details? <\/strong><\/span>Yes. All current Kent and Greenwich email accounts will be updated, however it is likely that @gre.ac.uk and @kent.ac.uk accounts will redirect to the new addresses for a period of time. Will I need to sign a new contract to supply goods and services after the integration has taken place? <\/strong><\/span>No, all contracts signed prior to 31st July 2026 will continue to be valid for the remainder of their term with no changes to the terms and conditions unless otherwise advised. You will be advised of the name change and, if you are a supplier to Kent, will be asked to sign a contract novation to transfer rights and obligations to LASE University Group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If I have contracts with both Kent and Greenwich, will I be able to consolidate them? <\/strong><\/span>Buying and purchasing systems will operate using separate platforms for the foreseeable future however these will be combined at a point in the future. All transactions from 01 August 2026 should be undertaken using the new LASE University Group identities. There will be a period of consolidation and review of the existing contracts – however this will likely take a period of time to fully implement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will I be paid from a different bank account? <\/strong><\/span>LASE University Group will update all relevant title to its bank accounts. This will mean that invoices paid from August 2026 onwards will be paid by a \u201cLondon and South East University Group\u201d bank account. It will take a few days after 1st August 2026 before the accounts officially change from University of Kent to their new title. The LASE Accounts Payable teams will endeavour to continue to send remittance advices.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why have I got a Deed\/Letter of Novation? <\/strong><\/span>All University of Kent Contracts will be novated to LASE, as the University of Kent is becoming part of the LASE Group so please sign and return the form to us as soon as possible. The novation does not change the terms of your contract, except to replace Kent with LASE University Group as the legal entity that is contracting with you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Who should I speak to if I have further questions about the integration?<\/strong><\/span>Please speak to your regular contact or email Procurement@kent.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nThe legal name of the organisation from 1 August will be : London and South East University Group, known as LASE University Group. The name has been approved by the Office For Students (OfS) and the Department for Education (DfE).
\nFor a period of time, LASE University Group will integrate operations into a combined entity, and there will be a contract and supply chain review process which would be expected as contracts meet their end and may then be renegotiated and \/ or recompeted.<\/p>\n
\nTo ensure communication remains uninterrupted, all current email addresses will continue to function -however, you should use new email addresses as soon as is possible.<\/p>\n