National GO Awards 2016/17 Review

The air was electric on the evening of 8 March as attendees, entrants and judges gathered at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate for the much anticipated Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2016/17.https://www.govopps.co.uk/

With over 130 finalists and over 500 guests, this year’s National GO Awards ceremony and gala dinner was the biggest to date and the evening did not disappoint on its promise to deliver a suspenseful and spectacular event.

No hand was without a glass of complementary bubbly and excitement filled the auditorium as the lavish dinner and awards ceremony got under way, and the finalists waited anxiously all hoping they would be the lucky ones to take home a coveted GO Award. As the champagne flowed so did the conversation, much of which was continued on from networking and engagement at Procurex North Live earlier that day in Manchester Central.

Suppliers, procurement teams and buying consortia were all honoured across a wide range of categories on the night. This year’s National GO Awards were hosted by television presenter Sarah Heaney, who graced the stage to introduce the evening and commence the Awards ceremony.

Every year the National GO Awards feature some of the biggest and most celebrated names in UK public procurement, and this year was no exception. Sally Collier, Chief Executive Officer at the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), was in attendance as one of the key figures on the judging panel, bringing her valued expertise to the vital task of assessing and scoring such an exceptional list of innovative and game-changing entrants.

Ms Collier commented: “We’ve got the biggest number of winners ever and it’s a fantastic occasion for the procurement profession. The standard just gets better and better.

“The thing this year was that we were rewarding people for real innovation. It’s not just doing the same thing better; it’s fantastic achievement for individuals and teams receiving an award. They should be very proud of their achievements. They should go back to their organisations and shout about this award from the rooftops!”

Co-judge Helen Lisle, Chair of the Health Care Supply Association (HCSA) and Director of Procurement and Supplies at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, discussed the exciting opportunities the GO Awards can open up.

Ms Lisle explained: “It’s a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate success in procurement. The standard this year was incredible. We had a great time down in London debating the rights and wrongs of who should go forward. We see the standard increase on a year-on-year basis which is brilliant for procurement professionals across the country.”

The night was a roaring success with the wine in strong supply and attendees tucking into a delicious and beautifully presented meal, all the while enjoying the evening’s entertainment, which included a pair of talented singing waiters who roused the audience into a song and dance.

National GO Awards Lead Judge Grahame Steed was delighted with the calibre of entrants this year.

Mr Steed said: “I’m pleased to say the standard was really high this year. Every year we see the standard increasing. This year was really hard for the judges to make some decisions. There were many strong entries that didn’t even become finalists, which is a real measure of how far the Awards have come. It means a great deal; it’s a huge recognition for the work that that team or that organisation has done!”

As the Winners and Highly Commended were announced the auditorium echoed in celebration as a host of delighted faces ascended to the stage to receive their trophies.

The winners and highly commended entrants in the Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2016/17 are listed below. Next year’s National GO Awards event promises to be even bigger and more spectacular than ever before. If you think your organisation could be a candidate for a highly coveted GO Awards trophy, don’t hesitate to share your procurement initiative and achievement with your peers. You can find out more details now on how to enter at https://www.goawards.co.uk/.

 

GO Sustainability / Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year Award – Sponsored by ENGIE
Winner
Horsham District Council

Highly Commended
Doncaster Council in partnership with HM Prison Lindholme and ONE3ONE Solutions

GO Contract Management Initiative of the Year Award – Sponsored by Delta eSourcing

Winner~
The City of Edinburgh Council

Highly Commended
Falkirk Council, Central Procurement Unit

GO Small Business / Third Sector Engagement Initiative of the Year Award – Sponsored by Supply

Winner
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

GO Best Service Award – Health and Social Care – Sponsored by Sellick Partnership
Winner
Peterborough City Council

Highly Commended
NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative

GO Best Service Award – Other Organisations – Sponsored by Stannah Lift Services Ltd
Winner
MAP Chartered Surveyors

Highly Commended
ISS Kinloss-Lossiemouth

GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award – Health Care – Sponsored by PASS
Winner
Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Commended
NHS Collaborative Procurement Partnership

GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award – Social Care – Sponsored by PASS
Winner
Lincolnshire County Council – Homecare

Highly Commended
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award – Local Government and Consortia – Sponsored by Commercial Services
Winner
The City of Edinburgh Council

Highly Commended
Liverpool City Council

GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award – Local Government and Consortia (Framework) – Sponsored by Commercial Services
Highly Commended
Sheffield City Council

GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award – Other Organisations – Sponsored by Tracker
Winner
Scotland Excel

Highly Commended
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Welsh Government – Value Wales and the National Procurement Service

GO Procurement Team of the Year Award – Health and Social Care – Sponsored by Government Opportunities
Winner
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Commended
NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

GO Procurement Team of the Year Award – Local Government and Consortia – Sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group
Winner
London Borough of Waltham Forest

Highly Commended
City of Cardiff Council

GO Procurement Team of the Year Award – Other Organisations – Sponsored by CompeteFor
Winner
Crown Commercial Service

Highly Commended
EMSCU
Scottish Procurement – The Scottish Government

GO Procurement Leadership of the Year Award – Sponsored by BiP Solutions Ltd
Winner
STAR Procurement

Highly Commended
Scottish Water

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