Collington’s appointment marks a significant change to Government procurement strategies, paving the way ahead for a radical transformation of how Government manages the procurement of common goods and services.
The need for Government to be more efficient was highlighted in October 2010 by Sir Philip Green’s Efficiency Review which found that Government had failed to make the most of its scale, buying power and credit rating.
As chief procurement officer, Collington will be responsible for delivering the Government’s goal of centralising procurement. He’ll ensure that the Crown receives the best value for money by acting as a single customer – rather than separate departments – when buying commonly used goods and services, including energy.
More efficient procurement across Government
Until now, Collington has served as the head of procurement in the Cabinet Office Efficiency and Reform Group. As chief procurement officer, he will be directly responsible for the delivery of more efficient procurement across Government and improving procurement capabilities.
In addition to his existing responsibilities, Collington will take on responsibility for the transformation and operational delivery of the Government’s procurement agency, Buying Solutions.
Francis Maude – the minister responsible for the Cabinet Office – has also announced that David Smith, the commercial director at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will additionally take on the role of deputy chief procurement officer for Government.
These duties will run concurrently with Smith’s current responsibilities at the DWP.
Smith has just been appointed a Crown Representative, responsible for managing relationships with some of Government’s key suppliers. The Crown Representatives will manage delivery of the cost savings agreed through the renegotiation of contracts with key suppliers as Government seeks to achieve better value by acting as a single customer.
Since May last year, the renegotiation of key contracts has saved the Government GB pound 800 million.
Driving real and genuine transformation
Speaking about this latest move, Francis Maude said: “I’m delighted that John Collington has agreed to take on the position of chief procurement officer. This new role will allow him to drive real transformation in Government procurement, which in turn will realise significant savings for the taxpayer.”
Collington himself said: “It’s both an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the Government’s first chief procurement officer. I look forward to working with David and my other commercial and procurement colleagues across Government in delivering our ambitious plans to transform procurement.”
Based within the Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office, Collington will report to the chief operating officer, Ian Watmore. His role effectively merges two existing positions (head of procurement in the Cabinet Office and CEO of Buying Solutions) with a consequent saving to the taxpayer.
Collington joined the Efficiency and Reform Group in September 2010 as head of procurement. Before that, he was group commercial director of the Home Office with responsibility for transforming how the Department manages its annual GB pound 2.4 billion expenditure on goods and services.
Prior to joining Government in 2007, Collington spent over 20 years in the private sector working in a number of senior commercial and supply chain roles and operating on a global basis.
The common commodity goods and services to be procured centrally include energy, office solutions, professional services, travel, fleet, learning and development, ICT commodities, advertising and media, print and print management.
