LISTEN: Government commercial chief Gareth Rhys Williams on the procurement challenges of Covid
14 Oct 2020 Commercial

LISTEN: Government commercial chief Gareth Rhys Williams on the procurement challenges of Covid

The government’s top commercial official speaks to CSW about the pressures, and lessons, from the government’s response to coronavirus
by Civil Service World
MPs demand answers over £4bn takeover bid for contracting giant G4S
02 Mar Commercial
MPs demand answers over £4bn takeover bid for contracting giant G4S
Less ‘just in time’, more ‘just in case’: How government can be a better customer when the next crisis hits
16 Dec 2020 Commercial
Less ‘just in time’, more ‘just in case’: How government can be a better customer when the next crisis hits
DfE expands supplier base for laptops scheme
01 Dec 2020 Commercial
DfE expands supplier base for laptops scheme
Greensill has exposed the inherent risks of supply chain finance – how can the public sector address these? Sponsored
12 Apr Commercial
Greensill has exposed the inherent risks of supply chain finance – how can the public sector address these?
The revelation of Greensill Capital’s presence at the heart of Government has highlighted some fundamental structural risks in its supply chains, writes Proxima
The small island with big ambitions Sponsored
08 Mar Commercial
The small island with big ambitions
To mark International Women’s Day, Proxima asked Maria Benbow, Group Director Commercial Services at the Government of Jersey to reflect on 2020 and what lies ahead this year.
What procurement trends will shape the public sector in 2021? Sponsored
18 Feb Commercial
What procurement trends will shape the public sector in 2021?
Rob Woodstock, chief commercial officer at HMRC, spoke with Proxima to outline three trends he foresees shaping the procurement landscape in 2021
Vendor view: The impact of Covid on local government’s supplier relationships Sponsored
10 Feb Commercial
Vendor view: The impact of Covid on local government’s supplier relationships
Our sister title PublicTechnology talks to David Hipwell from SAP Concur about the role of the public sector’s commercial partners in supporting transformation and how it has changed in the past year
Suppleye – Breaking news and supplier insights for commercial professionals Sponsored
09 Feb Commercial
Suppleye – Breaking news and supplier insights for commercial professionals
Suppleye is a newly launched supplier intelligence tool for commercial professionals. Chris Bennett, CRO at Suppleye, shares three key reasons why the tool is going to be useful for commercial professionals.
How the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper is set to impact public sector procurement Sponsored
22 Dec 2020 Commercial
How the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper is set to impact public sector procurement
The publication of the government’s green paper setting out the post-Brexit future for public procurement is a historic moment. Proxima’s John Collington sets out what it means
Celebrating excellence across government for 15 years #CSAwards Sponsored
06 Nov 2020 Commercial
Celebrating excellence across government for 15 years #CSAwards
Every year, the influential Civil Service Awards celebrate the wealth of inspirational teams and innovative projects within the Civil Service - those who go above and beyond to cultivate and share best practice. We hear from Proxima, one of the official sponsors of this year's event.
Should a 'More for Less' strategy be the focus for Public Sector Buyers - again? Sponsored
14 Oct 2020 Commercial
Should a 'More for Less' strategy be the focus for Public Sector Buyers - again?
Could re-using the successful 'More for Less' strategy help public sector buyers focus on suppliers' costs at this challenging time? Proxima investigates
Amazon hosting deal with GDS doubles to £6.6m as minister fends off questions over UK chief’s advisory role
06 Oct 2020 Commercial
Amazon hosting deal with GDS doubles to £6.6m as minister fends off questions over UK chief’s advisory role
New contract came into effect on 1 July, as minister claims "robust measures" in place to mitigate against possible conflicts of interest
New social value evaluation prompts green recovery Sponsored
05 Oct 2020 Commercial
New social value evaluation prompts green recovery
For years, delivering on social responsibility has been a growing priority for the public sector. The refreshed Social Value Act could mean significant progress, writes Proxima.
Civil service “infantilised” by use of consultants, Cabinet Office minister says
30 Sep 2020 Commercial
Civil service “infantilised” by use of consultants, Cabinet Office minister says
Letter seen by the Guardian criticises official capacity to deliver Brexit
Deliver social value to win contracts, government tells suppliers
25 Sep 2020 Commercial
Deliver social value to win contracts, government tells suppliers
Commercial officials to get training in new rules to take account of the wider impact of firms bidding for work from departments
The public and private sectors can learn from each other Sponsored
22 Sep 2020 Commercial
The public and private sectors can learn from each other
Stefano Jefferson, a senior consultant at Proxima, makes the case for a two-way learning process
Government Commercial Function seeks to improve Whitehall procurement info with £1.5m data lake
26 Aug 2020 Commercial
Government Commercial Function seeks to improve Whitehall procurement info with £1.5m data lake
Information resource seeks to bring in more data from a greater range of departmental sources
The (Updated) Outsourcing Playbook, an essential aid for commercial professionals Sponsored
11 Aug 2020 Commercial
The (Updated) Outsourcing Playbook, an essential aid for commercial professionals
Proxima's John Collington provides a concise overview of the new Outsourcing Playbook, a 62-page document which is essential reading for all commercial professionals
NAO to probe government’s PPE procurement amid concern £150m spent on 'unusable' masks
07 Aug 2020 Commercial
NAO to probe government’s PPE procurement amid concern £150m spent on 'unusable' masks
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove says officials ‘balanced the urgent need for PPE with the requirement to obtain value for money’
Public sector procurement sets the tone for navigating the post-COVID world Sponsored
27 Jul 2020 Commercial
Public sector procurement sets the tone for navigating the post-COVID world
While private sector organisations must reevaluate their frameworks for durability, the public sector is much better placed to make the necessary changes for a world post-COVID, argues Proxima's Simon Payne
Substitutability: Maybe government is less unique than it imagines Sponsored
06 Jul 2020 Commercial
Substitutability: Maybe government is less unique than it imagines
Is it in our best interests to assume our needs are unique, or should government procurement professionals look to ‘best fit’ substitutes? New observations from Proxima’s Guy Strafford, EVP
Renationalising outsourced services could improve quality and reliability, think tank says
19 Jun 2020 Commercial
Renationalising outsourced services could improve quality and reliability, think tank says

IfG report encouraging government to re-examine contracts comes as MoJ plans to bring probation services back in house
Public bodies may underestimate costs and complexity of ending PFI contracts – NAO
10 Jun 2020 Commercial
Public bodies may underestimate costs and complexity of ending PFI contracts – NAO

“Infrastructure could return to the public sector in an unsatisfactory condition and services could be disrupted,” watchdog warns
Departments use Brexit contracts to bring in consultants for Covid-19 support Exclusive
09 Jun 2020 Commercial
Departments use Brexit contracts to bring in consultants for Covid-19 support

Cabinet Office sets up “commercial clearing hub” where departments can bid for consultants
MPs slam MoD's 'utter failure' to improve contract management as nuclear project costs soar
18 May 2020 Commercial
MPs slam MoD's 'utter failure' to improve contract management as nuclear project costs soar

'The department knows it can’t go on like this,' says PAC chair
Labour demands ‘transparency and accountability’ over Covid-19 contracts handed to private sector
15 May 2020 Commercial
Labour demands ‘transparency and accountability’ over Covid-19 contracts handed to private sector

"The value and performance of government contracts... is a matter of public interest," shadow Cabinet Office minister says
Perm sec issues clarification on EU medical equipment scheme
22 Apr 2020 Commercial
Perm sec issues clarification on EU medical equipment scheme

FCO chief Sir Simon McDonald says he “inadvertently and wrongly” told MPs the UK had opted out of a procurement scheme