Procurement
Wednesday 21st April 2010, Central London, 09:30 - 16:00
Inside Government's Case Study Convention:
Procurement: Delivering Efficiency Through Effective Procurement
Overview
With the public sector in the UK faced with a growing need to provide greater operational efficiencies as well as demonstrate their commitment to be among the leaders in the European Union (EU) for sustainable procurement, the need to secure best value from the £125 billion that is spent by the public sector on procurement becomes ever more critical.
However, given the current international, economic and financial situation, is it possible for central and local government departments to deliver both sustainable, ethical procurement practices and best value for money?
Recent reports illustrate that both environmental and humanitarian concerns are key considerations for consumers when deciding to purchase products or services from an organisation. Nowadays, consumers expect organisations to demonstrate the highest standards in sustainable, socially responsible and collaborative procurement practices.
The objective of 'best value' procurement is to secure the best combination of quality and whole life costs for a product or service contract. However, the definition of best value allows procurement professionals to include environmental and social objectives. For the government, good procurement is defined as sustainable procurement.
Organisations need to respond to customers’ raised expectations by demonstrating sustainable, long term responsible sourcing and ethical procurement strategies. However, the challenge of meeting the public’s raised expectations also means providing value for money. Given today’s difficult economic climate is it possible to produce a viable business plan that promotes longterm, sustainable, ethical procurement, innovation, value for money as well as cost overall savings?
With this in mind, this unique convention will offer delegates the opportunity to discuss policies, strategies and concrete initiatives to enable better procurement procedures within organisations.
| 09:30 | Coffee and Registration |
| 10:05 | Opening Remarks by Chair Dr. Helen Walker, Associate Professor, Operations Management Group, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick (invited) |
| 10:10 | Case Study 1: Constructing Excellence through Procurement
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| 10:30 | Case Study 2: Sustainable Procurement – Greening the Procurement Process
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| 10:50 | Questions and Answers Session |
| 11:10 | Coffee and Networking |
| 11:30 | Procurement: Workshop 1 A one-hour workshop which will allow delegates to understand complex areas of specific interest. The sessions will then open up into an interactive discussion on the key issues raised, giving you the chance to contribute to the debate as well as be updated on topical interests. Suggested workshop topics:
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| 12:30 | Lunch and Networking |
| 13:30 | Procurement: Workshop 2 A one-hour workshop which will allow delegates to understand complex areas of specific interest. The sessions will then open up into an interactive discussion on the key issues raised, giving you the chance to contribute to the debate as well as be updated on topical interests. Suggested workshop topics:
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| 14:30 | Coffee and Networking |
| 14:50 | Case Study 3: Securing Operational Efficiencies
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| 15:10 | Case Study 4: The Commissioning Process and Third Sector Organisations
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| 15:30 | Questions and Answers Session |
| 16:00 | Close |
*programme subject to change without notice
Audience
Delegates will be drawn from procurement professionals within the public and private sector, central government departments and agencies, local authorities, NHS, third sector organisations, housing organisations, transport sector, marketing and consultants, banking and finance sector, trade unions, think tanks, retailers, employers and academia.