News

Dame Mavis McDonald named new chair of the Public Sector Construction Clients' Forum

Released on 13/03/2008

Dame Mavis McDonald has been named as the new Chair of the Public Sector Construction Clients' Forum (PSCCF). She succeeds Sir Christopher Kelly, who stood down from the role on his appointment as Chair of the Office for Standards in Public Life.

Nigel Smith, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), in announcing the appointment said: "I am delighted that Dame Mavis has agreed to take on this role. In many ways she is an ideal candidate for the position.

"She has both extensive experience at the top of government together with a strong background in the government's improvement agenda in construction, housing, regeneration and sustainability. We are, indeed, fortunate to have secured her for this key role."

Dame Mavis takes up her appointment with immediate effect.
Until her retirement Dame Mavis was Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and before that at the Cabinet Office.

She is a trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The PSCCF brings together the Chief Executives or Commercial Directors of the main public sector clients in order to use member organisations' collective buying power to leverage strategic advantage from construction procurement. In practice, PSCCF sets out to agree what issues need to be tackled and the steps required to introduce improvements. A recent example of this approach is the new, mandatory standard on fair payment that was introduced by central government in January 2008.

Notes to Editors

About OGC

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury, responsible for improving value for money by driving up standards and capability in procurement, from commodities buying to the delivery of major capital projects, maximising the effective use of 60% of Government spending and a £30 billion property estate.
 
A new Government strategy launched in January 2007, Transforming Government Procurement, highlighted the central importance of procurement in delivering high-quality public services and best value for money.  OGC is tasked with delivering this transformation, and with driving up standards and procurement capability across central Government.  The OGC will do this through:

• Setting procurement standards and monitoring performance and capability;  
• Developing a cadre of skilled procurement professionals across Government;  
• Driving value for money through collaborative procurement;  
• Playing a stronger role in the successful delivery of major projects; 
• And improving management and use of the Government estate.

Media Contact:
Michael Dunning
T: 020 7271 1318
F: 020 7271 1345
E: press@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

Contact details:
OGC Service Desk
Tel: 0845 000 4999
E-mail: ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk