Commercial leadership for a global aerospace & defence organisation

Strengthening commercial position and supplier alignment ahead of contract signature

at a glance

A global aerospace and defence organisation engaged Evolve to strengthen its commercial position ahead of contract signature for a major IT programme.

Through specialist commercial leadership, supplier negotiation, TCO analysis, and contract risk management, the engagement improved cost and value visibility, reduced commercial risk, and created clearer alignment between client and supplier expectations.
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Outcomes

contract ready for signature

Bespoke agreement aligned to both client and supplier needs

reduced commercial risk

Robust negotiation of key terms and clearer contractual structure

Achieved TCO clarity

Improved visibility of cost and value across supplier options

stronger supplier alignment

Coordinated engagement and clearer commercial expectations

BACKGROUND

A leading global aerospace and defence organisation engaged Evolve to provide specialist commercial expertise during a critical pre-contract phase of a major IT programme.

The client needed a trusted partner to shape a robust yet collaborative commercial position with key suppliers, under tight timelines and within a complex strategic environment.

the challenge

The programme required a clear and well-structured commercial position to support contract negotiations, while balancing risk, value and supplier relationships. At the same time, timelines were compressed, stakeholders were distributed across technical and commercial functions, and the complexity of the programme required careful coordination and strong governance.

SOLUTION

Evolve mobilised a team of experienced consultants to work closely with the client’s commercial and technical teams, taking a pragmatic and hands-on approach from the outset. Key activities included:

Leading contract negotiation and redrafting of commercial schedules
Providing commercial due diligence and supporting internal governance processes
Delivering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis of competing supplier solutions
Identifying and resolving key commercial risks
Engaging strategically with suppliers to align expectations and strengthen relationships
Evolve acted as a single point of contact across supplier workstreams, improving coordination and streamlining communication across the programme

The client was able to move confidently toward contract signature with a clear understanding of both risk and value. A bespoke contract was developed that reflected agreed commercial principles and reduced ambiguity in key areas. Governance was strengthened, supplier relationships improved, and commercial risk reduced through structured negotiation and clearer alignment across stakeholders.

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