Press Releases

New Chief Executive For PACE

Vivien Bodnar is to head up PACE, the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, Peter Gershon the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC) Chief Executive announced today.

Ms Bodnar joins PACE from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) where she is currently Head of Business Planning Unit and on loan from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Speaking about the appointment Mr Gershon said:

"I am delighted that Vivien has agreed to join us, and she does so at an exciting time. PACE is entering a period of transition as it strives to develop itself from a self-contained organisation to one with a key role in the OGC's integrated agenda. I am sure that her public and private sector experience will be invaluable in driving forward PACE in its new relationship."

Vivien Bodnar said:

"It is clear that exciting challenges lie ahead. I believe that the review of the Office of Government Commerce, including PACE, will bring a greater focus to what can be achieved across the whole of Government. I am particularly pleased to be joining an organisation at a key time of change."

Vivien will take up her post on 25 September.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Vivien Bodnar, aged 42, joined the Civil Service in 1984 from Sir Owen William and Partners, (now Owen Williams) where she was appointed to the Department of Transport. She held a number of positions in that Department before being appointed Divisional Director, Quality and Procurement at the Highways Agency, a position she held for three years before being appointed Head of Business Planning at MAFF. Prior to transferring to MAFF Vivien was a member of the Government Construction Client Panel since its inception. She gained a BSc in Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds and is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
• Vivien Bodnar takes over from John Locke the outgoing Chief Executive at PACE, who leaves at the end of the month.
• PACE's main function is to enable government departments achieve best value for money in the procurement and management of their workspace by co-ordinating property activity and policy across central government and supporting departments by providing advice, training and intelligent client services. It also carries out a residual function of disposing of the vacant property the Agency inherited when it was created on 1 April 1996.
• The OGC was set up on 1 April 2000 to become the Government's centre of excellence in procurement for up to 200 Government departments, non-governmental bodies and agencies. The OGC brings together Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE), Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) and the Buying Agency (TBA).
• OGC's key strategies are to be found on its website (www.ogc.gov.uk).
• Press calls to Malcolm Graves, OGC on 020 7211 1366 or Brian Duhaut, PACE on 020 7271 2616.