At a glance
| Criterion | Glaxtons | Thornton & Lowe |
|---|---|---|
| Success rate (self-published) | 93% across 500+ submissions 2022-2025; 100% on Pagabo and G-Cloud | 75-78% |
| Model | Boutique, director-led; directors lead every flagship engagement | Largest UK bid team; ~40 bid staff; 600+ projects/year |
| Pricing | Fixed fees, published: review £950, sprint £15,000, programme £28,000 | Quote-based |
| Urgent work | 24-72h turnaround, same-day mobilisation, 24/7 cover | Standard lead times |
| Specialism | CCS frameworks: CWAS3, Pagabo, G-Cloud, NHS routes | Broad public sector incl. local government, housing, education |
| Founded | 2019 (Companies House 12065176) | 2009 |
The honest read
Thornton & Lowe earned its position. It is the volume leader, with regional reach and a large directly employed team, and for organisations that bid constantly and want an external bid department, that scale is the point.
Glaxtons is built for the opposite buyer: the supplier with one framework application or major tender where the outcome genuinely matters, who wants the people named on the website doing the work, a fixed price agreed before starting, and someone answering at 11pm on a Sunday when the deadline is Tuesday.
Questions to ask either of us
- Who exactly will write my bid, and what have they won in my sector?
- How is your success rate measured, over what period and sample?
- What happens if the deadline is inside seven days?
- Is the fee fixed before work starts?
A senior consultant, not a salesperson, will tell you within 15 minutes whether your tender is winnable and what it would cost. If we do not think you should bid, we will say so.
Book a free consultationCompetitor figures on this page are taken from each provider's own published website as of June 2026 and are refreshed quarterly. Verify directly before relying on them. Last reviewed: 12 June 2026.