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Recognising Excellence
Source: BiP,
6 June 2008
National Public Procurement Practitioners Day (N3PD) 2008,
organised by BiP Solutions, has continued its record of success
in bringing together high-profile figures to discuss key
issues, and celebrate the achievement of some of the sector’s
finest in the 2008 Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence
in Public Procurement Awards.
Attendees heard from speakers including Minister for the
Third Sector Phil Hope, who reiterated the vital importance
of collaborative working between government and the third
sector.
In his keynote speech at the event, which was held in London
on 5 June, Mr Hope said: “Commissioning and procurement
practices are an absolutely essential part of working well
with the third sector. Good commissioning is essential for
the third sector.”
Also speaking at the event was John
Cridland, Deputy
Director-General of the Confederation of British
Industry.
Mr Cridland thanked local government procurement professionals
for their work, stating that “business enormously values
the work you do. There would be no public services at all
if it wasn’t for you, and we recognise the role you
have – and the many successes you have had – in
delivering high-quality, value-for-money services to the
public.”
Mr Cridland went on to say that, whilst their have been
some successes through reviews such as Gershon and the Efficiency
review, it was vital that savings did not come at the expense
of quality.
He added: “We do not want to see suppliers squeezed,
which simply has the effect of driving firms out of the market,
reducing competition and choice. Nor do we want to see a
return to the bad old days of compulsory competitive tendering,
when price, and not value, was all that mattered.”
Those attending N3PD also witnessed the presentation of the
2008 GO Excellence in Public Procurement Awards.
The GO Awards have become the most sought-after
recognition of work within UK public procurement, and every
year the quality and number of entries increases.
A full review of the GO Awards and N3PD will be in the July/August
issue of GO.
To find out how BiP could deliver a successful conference
or event for you, email: events@bipsolutions.com or
call: 0845 270 7095.
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