Digby Barker

Drawing on his consultancy experience and government background – including posts in MoD HQ and HM Treasury – Digby specialises in helping companies win and profit from public sector business, advising in particular on marketing strategy and tender preparation. His experience includes research, operational/decision analysis, resource allocation, project management and acquisition, especially the development of procurement strategies, ITTs and tender evaluation schemes.

Julie Harmer

Julie has worked in the public sector for 35 years and has held senior procurement positions in the NHS, Higher Education and Central Government. She also has experience working in the private sector. She was part of the team that set up the first use of off-shore data capture by a government agency and has latterly been involved with the implementation of an ERP system, e-procurement solutions and the development and implementation of various procurement training solutions.

Paul King

Paul has over 30 years' high-level management experience in both the private and public sectors. He has managed companies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and was responsible for contracts and business development throughout most of the Middle East, including Iraq. He was a county council Chief Officer, responsible for all commercial activity including tendering for work in competition with the private sector, with over 2500 staff in five services and a £13m turnover. He was the founder, spokesman and Chair of the Forum of DSO Managers with a membership of over 30 UK local authorities. Returning to the private sector he created the UK subsidiary for a large European FM company and grew the business to £5m in four years, making it the fastest-growing worldwide subsidiary. Most recently he was CEO - Business Development for a government contractor with sales of over £80m, generating sales of £30m pa including groundbreaking contracts in new areas of business such as the company’s first overseas contract in Israel. He has also acted as a 'company doctor' for SMEs, identifying weaknesses, creating long-term stability and focusing business development, and he has been a regular speaker/chairman at seminars on public procurement.