Background
Programme
In the UK, greater inclusion of smaller, local businesses in the procurement process presents a real opportunity for Government purchasers to reduce the risk of project failure through more agile programme and project management, to drive innovation through greater competition and choice, and to stimulate growth in the economy by supporting entrepreneurial businesses. In its Spending Review, the Coalition set out a programme of savings to be made throughout Government, including the renegotiation of contracts with major suppliers. With greater scrutiny of procurement spending, and with rising Government and citizen demand for more agile, risk-averse, responsive and customer-focussed service provision, particularly through digital channels, it is becoming increasingly important for decision makers to challenge the assumption that ‘big is best’ in procurement contracting and to consider new and better ways of purchasing Government goods and services with SMEs. In this tightened financial climate, it is more crucial than ever for decision makers to explore both the opportunities and barriers to procurement from SMEs, and to reform procurement strategies in order to bring about new and more efficient purchasing solutions, and thereby ensure greater value for money and better results for Government and taxpayers.
Francis Maude
Matthew Taylor
John Collington
9.30 Registration and Coffee A chance to network with speakers and fellow delegates ahead of the first main session. 10.00 Introduction and Welcome Following the Chair’s introduction, the day will start with a short film that will bring to light key challenges and opportunities that relate to public sector purchasing with SMEs. The film will include a series of interviews and case studies which will act as a stimulus for discussion. The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP will then be invited to address the audience to briefly outline the current policy context, setting out the latest vision from the Government. • •
Chair: Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, RSA Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office
10.20 Plenary 1: Inspiring a New Culture – Panel Discussion The opening session will aim to challenge delegates to think about why a new culture for procurement is needed, hearing about the real challenges and opportunities presented by new ways of valuing contract bids, understanding risk, and taking into account smaller, more agile, and more innovative suppliers. The format of the plenary will include a set of statements which will each provide a short perspective on one or more key assumptions made about public sector purchasing. These statements will be heard by John Collington, the Government’s Chief Procurement Officer, and Liam Maxwell, Director of ICT Futures at the Cabinet Office, who will then be invited to respond and join a panel debate. Panel to include: • • • • • •
Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office John Collington, Chief Procurement Officer, HM Government Liam Maxwell, Director, ICT Futures, Cabinet Office Dr Mark Thompson, University Lecturer in Information Systems, Cambridge Judge Business School, Cambridge Stephen Allot, Crown Representative for SMEs Sean Allam, Head of Product Sourcing and Services, John Lewis Partnership
11:00 Coffee and Networking 11.30 Plenary 2: Best Practice The second plenary session will present best practice and solutions which have been developed to overcome barriers to SME procurement, with lessons and advice from the public and the private sector, looking at the benefits of procuring to SMEs. Contributors include:
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• • • •
Charles Mindenhall, Chairman, Agilisys Megan Stowe, Global Strategic Procurement Manager, Intel Mark Wakeford, Managing Director, Stepnell Brian Deveney, Head of Procurement, Post Office
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