GPS Practitioner Conference - report and presentations
Released on 13/07/2007
12 July 2007 - Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London
The first conference for government procurement practitioners, since the reformed GPS was launched, took place on 12 July.
Oversubscribed, the event heard from newly appointed Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Angela Eagle MP, giving her first speech since her appointment. The Exchequer Secretary emphasised the importance of excellence in procurement in delivering government targets and projects. She went on to offer her personal commitment to do everything she could to represent GPS members and encourage them, which was clearly very well received.
The event also heard from a number of other speakers whose presentations or speeches are available here:
GPS and Transforming Government Procurement - Mark Pedlingham OGC's executive director responsible for the reformed GPS, reported findings from commercial directors attending April's Procurement Capability Conference. He also illustrated his understanding of government procurement and the gaps that exist in capability and resource.
Procurement Capability Reviews - Sally Collier OGC's executive director for policy, standards and capability, updated delegates on the Procurement Capability Reviews that all government departments will undergo over the coming months.
Government Procurement Service - Kavalneer Walia The new Director of the Government Procurement Service, explained her vision of the reformed GPS and highlighted some of the work planned for the coming months.
Practice and Research - Chris Uden and Dr Helen Walker Chris Uden from NHS PASA and the University of Bath's Dr Helen Walker reported their joint long range research initiative.
Group Discussions on the establishment of GPS Special Interest Groups Delegates were asked to consider the potential scope, responsibilities and priority for a series of special interest groups that will be established to address a number of procurement challenges. A summary of the feedback from these discussions will be sent to delegates as soon as it has been collated. This will be followed by a response later in the year that will outline which special interest groups will be commissioned and how they will be managed.
