The Apex Framework

The Apex Framework has been designed to deliver high quality internal audit services, while delivering value in a period of constrained resources.

Who is it for?

The Framework is open to all local authorities and any companies where the local authorities have a controlling interest. It also includes public sector pension funds, registered social housing providers, and NHS foundation trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

How does it work?

The Framework, designed by Croydon Council, is supplied by Mazars LLP, who were re-appointed from April 2018 for an initial period of 6 years, following a competitive EU procurement exercise.

The Apex Framework provides a comprehensive range of assurance-related services, including:

• Fully outsourced internal audit provision
• Secondments at all levels: including interim roles, maternity, sickness and vacancy cover
• Co-sourcing arrangements covering the delivery of a proportion of the Annual Plan
• Provision of specialist skills such as Tax/VAT, IT Audit, Contract and Procurement, and Assurance

For a full list of available services, please download the brochure at the base of this page

An experienced Engagement Manager will work with each organisation to identify and deliver the required services, fully tailored to the client.

The benefits

By adopting the Apex Framework, organisations will be able to:

• Negate the requirement for undertaking expensive and time consuming EU tendering
• Achieve efficiency savings through economies of scale and shared role between organisations
• Create more resilience through larger Internal Audit Sections
• Access a fully skilled flexible resource

Governance Structure

The Framework is designed to operate in the interests of all partners, irrespective of the length of membership. Its operation is overseen by a Framework Group, with each partner organisation and Mazars LLP with a seat on the board.

Participants

The following local authorities and companies have adopted the Apex Framework:

• Adur and Worthing District Councils
• Ashford Borough Council
• Bracknell Forest Borough Council
• Brighton & Hove City Council
• Buckinghamshire County Council
• Dartford Borough Council
• East Sussex County Council
• Essex County Council
• Lee Valley Park Authority
• London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
• London Borough of Bexley
• London Borough of Bromley
• London Borough of Croydon
• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
• London Borough of Haringey
• London Borough of Havering
• London Borough of Hillingdon
• London Borough of Lewisham
• London Borough of Merton
• London Borough of Newham
• London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
• London Borough of Sutton
• London Borough of Waltham Forest
• Maidstone Borough Council
• Mid-Kent Audit Partnership
• Oxfordshire County Council
• Reside Housing Association
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
• Sevenoaks District Council
• Southend on Sea Borough Council
• Spelthorne District Council
• Surrey County Council
• Swale Borough Council
• Tendering County Council
• Thurrock Council
• Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
• Uttlesford District Council
• Wandsworth Council
• Westminster City Council
• Woking Borough Council
• Wycombe District Council

How to adopt the Framework

For more information about the structure of the Framework, or to express an interest in joining, please contact: 

Kevin Lazaro
Governance Officer at the London Borough of Croydon
Tel: +44 (0)20 8760 5575
Email: kevin.lazaro@croydon.gov.uk 

Graeme Clarke
Director at Mazars
Email: graeme.clarke@mazars.co.uk