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Government Procurement Service York Conference 2006 - a successful gathering for public procurement professionals

Released on 17/03/2006

Bad procurement practice no longer an option, says John Oughton

The Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), John Oughton delivered a strong keynote speech at the Government Procurement Service conference 2006, making OGC's procurement policy crystal clear to more than 100 delegates in York, on the first day of spring.

As head of OGC's efficiency programme, Mr Oughton warned all public sector procurement professionals: "It is no longer acceptable for organisations to choose not to improve.

"When there is evidence of good practice going on out there, it is no longer fine for organisations to say 'that's interesting but we think we are fine as we are - we don't need to change'. Every gain counts and if it is possible for an organisation to change for the better, then that change should be made."

Mr Oughton said OGC "may not be proposing that one size fits all in procurement, but we are challenging public sector organisations to get as close to the optimum benchmark as possible. And if those organisations are way off the benchmark, then they can no longer choose not to improve. Bad procurement practice is no longer an option."

He pointed out: "I would like better procurement to secure over £8 billion of annual efficiency gains by 2008. To put that into context, the total target for the efficiency programme is £21.5 billion annual gains - or 2.5 per cent. And the targets do not stop there." He elaborated on the targets of the programme, described by the National Audit Office as "a substantial change programme" pursuing "an ambitious objective".

Mr Oughton went on to dispell old myths surrounding the public procurement programme, highlight new EU directives which widen the scope for innovative procurement, provide a new insight into eProcurement, and explore the synergies between the Kelly programme, sustainable procurement and the efficiency review in his speech.

Mr Oughton reminded the delegates, including regional representatives from 13 local borough councils: "Since better procurement is due to deliver a third of all the gains, it is clear that this is a 'must achieve' target for us, which has recently led us (OGC) to take a stronger stand on bad practice in procurement."

OGC's Head of the GPS, Martin Sykes, who welcomed the delegates, speakers and exhibitors at 10.10am, later reflected on the day's proceedings, prior to the networking tea at 15.30pm, before the conference closed.

Other high-level speakers at the conference:

Chris Gallagher, the director of membership and education at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), and the CIPS deputy chief executive, Keith Trower, who jointly introduced their organisation and the new CIPS qualifications.

OGC's procurement development director Alan Dowlman, who outlined the procurement efficiency programme - one year on. 

Director of the Centre for Procurement Performance (CPP) at the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), Ian Taylor, who took his audience through the DfES experience of procurement efficiency.

OGC's procurement policy unit deputy director Mike Davis, who was responsible for implementing the new EU public procurement directive in the UK, after being involved in its negotiations in Brussels - he communicated new regulations at the conference.

The director of purchasing and supply, and head of procurement and contracts, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), David Rabey, who gave a presentation on sustainable procurement.

Audience applause

Delegates unanimously thought Mr Oughton's keynote address was relevant - 42 per cent among them thought it to be 'very relevant' - and 79 per cent felt the conference objectives were fully achieved. Their feedback showed that 95 per cent of the delegates were new and had not attended any previous GPS conferences, and they generally felt the OGC conference was successful, well-organised and a worthwhile gathering.

Visit the GPS Events 2006 page for more details.

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