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Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies

THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED

Buyer Contact Info

Buyer Name: THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED

Buyer Address: 13th Floor, Exchange Tower, 1 Harbour Exchange Square, London, UKI42, E14 9GE, United Kingdom

Contact Email: Procurement@frc.org.uk

Status
active
Procedure
open
Value
40000.0 GBP
Gross: 48000 GBP
Published
08 Dec 2025, 10:41
Deadline
16 Jan 2026, 12:00
Contract Start
n/a
Contract End
n/a
Category
services
CPV
73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Region
n/a
Awarded To
n/a
Official Source
Open Find a Tender

Description

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. As the Competent Authority for audit in the UK, we set auditing and ethical standards and monitor and enforce audit quality. The purpose of the FRC is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work. The FRC is seeking a Literature review on the balance between publicly-listed and privately-held companies The number of UK publicly-listed companies (PLCs) has fallen over the past decade. At the same time more companies are choosing to remain unlisted and financing their growth through private capital . The UK has become Europe's largest private-equity hub, and its leading venture capital market , both of which are funding privately held (non-listed) companies (PHCs). As part of its ongoing market monitoring activities, the FRC is seeking research services to deliver a review of the leading expert literature to understand the scale, trajectory and international context of these changes. As well as potential implications which might arise. This will include peer-reviewed academic research, as well as studies carried out with suitable rigour by professional bodies, industry organisations, and think tanks (grey literature). The review should draw on literature from a range of relevant disciplines including, but not limited to: law, economics, political economy, business, public administration. It should be written to inform non-academic readers about the following: • The leading analyses of evidence on theses changes, including: o The scale, trajectory, and other relevant characteristics. o Views on what might happen next. o The international context from relevant jurisdiction(s). o The causes/drivers of the change and whether they are evolving over time, including evidence on how and why commercial entities choose between different potential sources of funding. • Whether the literature provides any information relevant to understanding any potential impact on: o Our regulation, in particular the effect of shifts in sources of capital when combined with the existing policy landscape and legislative definitions which drive audit and corporate reporting requirements. o Any additional, relevant policy implications for us to consider. The review should be focused on the UK but may also draw on literature that brings insights from other jurisdictions, where clearly relevant. The markets in-scope for this research will include: • London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market • LSE Alternative Investment Market (AIM) • Relevant markets of the Aquis exchange • UK private-equity, venture capital, and private-credit markets We may also include other UK debt and equity markets. This will be discussed with the successful research contractor once appointed. Suggested approach Methodology • Search strategy: databases (e.g. JSTOR, SSRN, Web of Science, Scopus), policy portals, news archives. • Literature: o Inclusion/exclusion criteria should include, but not be limited to: relevance to UK context, credibility/quality/reliability, publication date, citations (or equivalent). o Biases and perspectives to be identified, where present, but not by themselves to be critria for exclusion. • Analytical approach: thematic coding, comparative case analyses, cross-discipliniary comparison (gaps and/or contradictions), synthesis of findings. PLEASE REFER TO THE INVITATION TO TENDER FOR FULL DETAILS. IMPORTANT • Please register your interest by emailing the FRC's procurement team - procurement@frc.org.uk • The FRC will share all tender queries and answers with those that have registered. • Your tender submission must be submitted within the deadline by email to procurement@frc.org.uk

Linked Documents

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Opportunity Context

More Information Links

External Link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080479-2025

Link Description: Tender notice on Find a Tender

Lots

Lot 1 Status: active

Lot 1 Has Options: Yes

Lot 1 Options: • Additional research services of the same nature.

Lot 1 Value: GBP 40,000

Lot 1 Value (Gross): GBP 48,000

Lot 1 Contract Start: 2026-02-02T00:00:00Z

Lot 1 Contract End: 2026-05-08T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 1 SME Suitable: Yes

Documents

Document Description: Tender notice on Find a Tender

Raw Notice JSON

Expand raw payload
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