UK public sector 'can learn procurement tips from EU'

UK public sector procurement staff could learn a lesson or two from their counterparts in Europe, with the German system one that offers a smarter approach to managing finances, it has been claimed.

Christopher Bovis, professor at the University of Hull and a lead advisor to the Cabinet Office on growth and strategic procurement, commented in an interview for Supply Management that many European countries use public funding to support economic growth and this is something UK managers should look to achieve also.

"There are ways for the UK to get smarter procurement," he claimed. "One way is by creating a policy that allocated certain sectors or contracts of certain sizes to small to medium-sized enterprises."

An initiative which has received widespread acclaim over recent weeks has been a partnership between eight local authorities, which resulted in savings in excess of £4.5 million.

Bromsgrove, Malvern, North Warwickshire, Redditch, Warwick District, Worcester, Wychavon and Wyre Forest councils all banded together to achieve outstanding procurement performance in December.

Categories: Central Government