Current Issue

Welcome to the March edition of Government Opportunities (GO) magazine – your essential guide to all that is happening within the public procurement sector.

The OGC is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. In recognition of this milestone, we have dedicated our lead feature to looking back at ten years of the organisation, as well as speaking exclusively to prominent professionals in the sector for their thoughts and what they believe the OGC will deliver over the next ten years.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an independent office of HM Treasury, established to help Government deliver best value from its spending. The OGC works with central government departments and other public sector organisations to ensure success in several key areas, with a particular focus on achieving value for money from third party spend. Around £220 billion is spent by the public sector on third party goods and services each year, so the OGC’s role is paramount.

This issue of GO also features an in-depth interview with Ian Taylor, Commercial Director of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. We hear about his views on the challenges facing procurement over the coming years and the key developments taking place within his department.

We are still accepting entries for the National GO Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2010-11 – but hurry, time is running out. Now in their ninth year, the National GO Awards recognise the pivotal role that procurement plays within the delivery of effective and efficient public services. The deadline for entries is 16 April and the Awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London on 15 June. Further information can be found at www.goawards.co.uk

GO would also like to highlight that Procurex National 2010 is imminent. More than 5000 key decision makers at all stages of the supply chain are expected to be at Procurex National, a free to attend event which will run from 9 to 10 March at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

Attending Procurex National 2010 will offer all buyers from the public and private sectors a unique opportunity to maximise the benefits of their purchasing functions and engage directly with the supplier community. For further information, visit www.procurexnational.co.uk

The March edition of the magazine will be available from 8 March. Public sector buyers can register to receive GO free by clicking here. Private sector organisations can subscribe by clicking here.