Very important agency for Scotland’s public sector procures itself a brand new boss

Achieved professional Lesley Anderson takes the helm at SPA

A MAJOR participant in Scotland’s thriving procurement sector has appointed famend professional Lesley Anderson as its everlasting head.

Now she is going to drive the event of the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), which has £1.1billion of contracts beneath administration and can also be delivering a advantages scheme price hundreds of thousands of kilos for native communities.

Lesley, who has 27 years in the private and non-private procurement sector and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Provide, stated: “Our position in supporting the supply of tasks for public sector organisations is essential within the development of communities.

“The tasks procured by way of our options supply entry to services and offers alternatives for youngsters and adults of all ages to thrive inside their improved environment.

“SPA helps councils, housing associations, blue gentle companies, the NHS, additional and better schooling suppliers and lots of different public our bodies to construct, keep and refurbish very important social housing and public buildings.

“Throughout the provision chain which means tons of of Scottish SMEs get the possibility to bid for and win profitable work that creates jobs and employment throughout the nation.

“However essentially the most rewarding half is that, as a proud not for revenue organisation, we additionally put our surpluses again into the communities the place we function, by way of our modern Group Profit Fund, which enriches and improves hundreds of lives.

“It makes me extremely proud to take up this position and to additional this dedication to Scottish communities, our companions and to steer a workforce of people that constantly impress me.”

SPA is Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organisation, making certain its 120 companions can use its in depth frameworks to safe the works and companies they want whereas being assured that the supply is totally compliant and achieves worth for cash.

It was based in 2016 because the Scottish enterprise unit of the LHC Procurement Group (LHC), which has been supporting public sector organisations throughout the UK with technical procurement experience for over 50 years.  

That offers it perception at an area, regional and nationwide degree into the challenges and priorities for the general public sector and it applies this data to develop options that meet the evolving wants of its companions.

Lesley, who joined SPA in 2017 has now been appointed Regional Director and can lead the 12-strong Scottish workforce, primarily based in Livingston, West Lothian.

They goal to additional develop the suite of free, added worth companies supplied to companions, together with specialist technical, procurement and social worth advisory assist. Lesley’s workforce can even construct on the successes of the SPA Group Profit Fund (CBF), delivered by long-standing housing charity accomplice, Lintel Belief.

Since 2017 the CBF has delivered greater than £1.7million of grants and match funding to scores of group teams, charities and causes. Initiatives have included Vacation Starvation programmes, group gardens, employability initiatives, digital inclusion, apprenticeship assist funds and specialist psychological well being companies. These tasks have helped enhance the lives of at the least 19,000 folks whereas delivering social worth of greater than £3.9 million.

LHC Group Managing Director, Clive Feeney stated: “Lesley has an impressive status inside the procurement trade. Her spectacular CV is backed up with a improbable observe report.

“She’s already taken nice strides in ensuring we work extra intently than ever with our companions to ship precisely what they want and her dedication to delivering advantages to Scottish communities is firmly rooted.

“I want Lesley each success going ahead in what’s a really thrilling time for SPA.”

SPA’s 120 companions cowl a various vary of public sector entities from small cooperatives, regional and nationwide registered social landlords (RSLs), in addition to native authorities.