British High Commissioner Helen Liddell, and Colin Lyne, former Supervisory Board Member of the OGC (Office of Government Commerce, UK), are among the impressive line up of speakers set to share their industry knowledge and advice at the inaugural Public Sector Procurement Forum, taking place from May 17-18 at The Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.
Fourteen speakers will present on topics such as the role of technology in procurement, global versus local sourcing, centralisation versus decentralisation of public procurement, and implementing reform of procurement in the public sector.
Delegates at the Forum will hear from Colin Lyne, former managing director of The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), who will offer cutting-edge insights into the OGC public procurement model.
Lyne has extensive private and public sector experience and his most recent work for the Department for Constitutional Affairs (UK) involved ensuring that procurement plays its part in cutting public spending.
His latest role included OGC investment board responsibility for implementing strategies to achieve the UK government’s savings target of £7 billion.
Jane Montgomery, executive director of the Australian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC), will discuss the economics of the tendering process from a local perspective – “does it add cost without value?”
Helen Liddell will share her experiences and international knowledge of the public sector at the Conference Dinner, on May 17. Mrs Liddell has held several Ministerial posts in the UK including Treasury and Energy.
An economist by training, Mrs Liddell’s strong background in the financial sector included her role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury (1997-1998). Mrs Liddell was appointed British High Commissioner to Australia in 2005.
Australia’s peak body for the procurement industry, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Australia (CIPSA ), will host the Forum, with the view to establishing the event as the premier learning and meeting opportunity for public sector procurement professionals.
Jonathan Dutton, CIPSA managing director, believes the Forum will prove invaluable for public sector procurement professionals who must often face tight legal frameworks and greater accountability than their private sector counterparts.
“The importance of capturing best value for every dollar spent in public procurement has never been higher,” Dutton said.
For more information visit http://www.cipsaconferences.com.au.