Associate feature: Procurement Week at the Scotland Excel Academy

Scotland Excel is preparing to host its annual event for the local government sector – with this year’s event set to focus on underpinning a sustainable post-COVID recovery for Scotland and its communities.

Scotland Excel Procurement Week at the Academy will take place online from June 7 – 11, free of charge.

It will offer delegates a packed agenda with a range of sessions to choose from, based around:

• The climate emergency and sustainability
• Community wealth building
• Social care
• Leadership in a post Covid-19 world
• The people of tomorrow

Scotland Excel Chief Executive Julie Welsh said: “As the Centre of Procurement Expertise for local government, we’re proud to work closely with all 32 councils and our annual conference is an important part of our efforts to support the priorities of the sector.

“With an annual spend of approximately £11bn, local government has a key role to play in driving Scotland’s green recovery and the nation’s response to the Global Climate Emergency – and the conference agenda will underpin that. Our speakers will deliver the latest thinking on key themes and share their experience of translating policy into practice.”

Speakers and topics include:

• Angus Warren, CE, Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges on the Procurement Climate Forum’s work.
• Angela Scott, CE, Aberdeen City Council about the city’s hydrogen projects.
• The Construction Scotland Innovation Centre will discuss Scotland’s Net Zero aspirations.
• Craig Hatton, CE, North Ayrshire Council on the council’s work on Community Wealth Building.
• Andy Door, Head of Procurement, Scottish Prison Service about community benefits being delivered through projects.

There will also be an interactive session on the future policy direction in social care, including a Q&A session with panel members who include senior representatives from the Scottish Government CCPS, COSLA and SOLACE.

The annual event has been running for over ten years - initially developed for the local government procurement community – its reputation has grown each year. This year it’s being opened up to delegates from across local government, as well as other organisations with a community focus such as housing associations, transport partnerships and the third sector.

For further information on attending the free, online sessions that will be held on 7, 9, 10, 11 June visit Scotland Excel's website.

On June 8, Scotland Excel will be attending Meet the Buyer 2021, a free online event offering potential suppliers the opportunity to meet with the public sector.  Register with SDP Scotland.

Julie Welsh is the chief executive of Scotland Excel.

The feature was sponsored by Scotland Excel.