Internal Audit Services - Adra and Grwp Cynefin

Adra Tai Cyfyngedig (“Adra”) and Grŵp Cynefin are two separate housing associations based in north Wales. We are currently exploring our options for the future provision of our internal audit services, including whether a joint procurement approach would be beneficial. To help us determine our next steps, we welcome early engagement from suitably experienced internal audit providers to help us understand market interest, capacity and views on the proposed approach.

If a joint procurement is pursued, it is anticipated that each housing association would enter into separate contracts with the successful provider.

Adra: Adra is North Wales’ largest housing association, providing more than 7,500 quality, affordable homes and services to people in housing need across the region, while supporting the culture and heritage of the communities it serves; it is a charitable registered society regulated by the Welsh Government. Adra is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and collaborative internal audit service focused on its core governance, service delivery, financial risks and internal controls, supporting both its landlord activities and wider priorities such as decarbonisation, development and growth. The anticipated requirement is approximately 40 days per year and will include recurring compliance and data integrity audits, selected strategic audits in key risk areas, cyclical follow-up of recommendations, development of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan, timely reporting on individual audits, an annual assurance opinion, limited desktop compliance and data integrity testing within landlord health and safety areas, and attendance at relevant Board or Committee meetings where required. Whilst much of the contract specification could be delivered remotely, there will at times be an expectation for relevant representatives to occasionally attend the office or locations throughout North Wales. This may include attendance at Board and/or Committee Meetings, to present findings and reports.

Grŵp Cynefin: Grŵp Cynefin is a charitable housing association and registered society regulated by the Welsh Government, owning approximately 5,000 homes across six counties in north Wales and north Powys. Grŵp Cynefin is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and risk-based internal audit service covering governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, regulatory compliance and service delivery. The anticipated requirement is approximately 68 days per year and will include an internal audit strategy and risk-based annual audit plan, delivery of individual audits with timely reporting, follow-up of recommendations, an annual assurance opinion, and reporting to and attendance at the Audit and Risk Committee and Board where required. Much of the service can be delivered remotely, with attendance at its offices or other locations in north Wales expected from time to time, including to present findings.

We would be pleased to hear from potential bidders who may be interested in this opportunity. Your response will help Adra and Grŵp Cynefin understand the level of market interest and determine whether it is beneficial to proceed with a joint procurement exercise. Please respond by 21 September 2026.

We would also welcome an informal discussion with if you would like to explore the requirements, ask questions or provide any feedback before responding. To arrange any discussions and to provide any feedback, please contact caffael@adra.co.uk

If you do not intend to bid, we would still appreciate hearing your reasons, as this will provide valuable insight into the market and help inform our approach.

Next steps: Following receipt of the Expressions of Interest, Adra and Grŵp Cynefin will review the feedback and decide whether to proceed collaboratively or undertake separate procurement exercises.

We anticipate that the tender opportunity will be published by the end of September 2026, for the contracts to be effective from the 1st of April 2027. Further details on the proposed procurement timetable and process will be shared once this decision has been made.

Please note that this is for market engagement only, with no commitment to proceed, no costs reimbursed and no bearing on whether a supplier can tender later.