News

News stories from the current issue

Sustainable response dismays buyers

After months of delay, the government has finally responded to the recommendations of the Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF). And, to the surprise of many involved in the original plan, Whitehall has rejected one of its central aims and failed to build on the momentum the SPTF had generated.

News, 15 March 2007

Olympic bid scorecard launched

A scorecard will be used to judge bids for London 2012 Games contracts, with companies aware of the commercial and technical themes on which they will be evaluated. A scorecard will be used to judge bids for London 2012 Games contracts, with companies aware of the commercial and technical themes on which they will be evaluated.

News, 15 March 2007

Buying plans must

Buyers have been urged to remember their business's overall strategy when trying to transform their procurement.

OGC: savings may be incorrect

The government has accepted that almost three-quarters of its claimed £13.3 billion efficiency savings are subject to "measurement issues" or "may be substantially incorrect".

News, 15 March 2007

Cut CO2 say suppliers

Suppliers appear more interested than heads of procurement in reducing carbon usage in the supply chain.

News, 15 March 2007

Milk buying power turns sour

The president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has criticised the buying power supermarkets wield over his members.

News, 15 March 2007

Royal Mail 'can't control its costs'

Royal Mail has refused to comment on claims by the postal regulator that it was "using an attack" on the regulatory structure as "a smokescreen for its own lack of progress" in tackling high labour costs.

News, 15 March 2007

Buyers: our time is now

Most buyers believe now is the best ever time to be working in procurement, according to the latest SM poll of 100 procurement professionals.

News, 15 March 2007

Public consultant fees

External consultants working in the public sector can earn between £100 and £200 more a day than those in the private sector, according to new research.

News, 15 March 2007

Home Office reviews spend

The new Home Office buying chief is reviewing its £2.5 billion-a-year spend as part of his plan to improve the department's procurement strategy.

News, 15 March 2007

DH accused of 'not trying' on Dr Foster joint venture costs

MPs have attacked the Department of Health (DH) for entering a joint venture without a competitive tender process, and its possible £4 million overspend.

News, 15 March 2007

Canada ombudsman to check public spend

The Canadian government is to appoint a procurement ombudsman to monitor and improve public purchasing.

News, 15 March 2007

Hilfiger sells sourcing team

Fashion design house Tommy Hilfiger has sold its global sourcing department to the Hong Kong based sourcing firm Li & Fung (L&F) for $247 million (£128 million).

News, 15 March 2007

DH faces double spend criticism

The Department of Health (DH) has been forced to defend itself from criticism about overspending on drugs and unfair procurement practice.

News, 1 March 2007

 

Features

Featured articles from the current issue

Perfect partners

How can you ensure maximum value for money when using consultants? Emma Clarke finds out

Gun control

Is your organisation having headaches with maverick spend? Helen Gilbert examines some ways to curb the problem

Features, 15 Marh 2007

The big picture

How to buy: TV production Joanna Goodman explores an area purchasers are increasingly asked to assist with: buying TV advertising

Features, 15 March 2007

A first for knowledge

Ahead of the inaugural Association World Summit and midway through his two-year term as president of IFPSM, Ken James speaks to Rebecca Ellinor

Features, 15 March 2007

In the know

The demand for certain types of training changes with the times. Nick Martindale looks at the areas of learning currently in greatest demand

Features, 1 March 2007

Opinion

 

Viewpoint

Building relations

The Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI) sets out the government's plans for spend across the public sector.

Soapbox, 15 March 2007

 

Adviser

What's in it for me?

Q: My boss wants to introduce a larger bonus element to my package rather than a pay rise. Assuming I can make the targets, does such a scheme benefit me or the company more?

Regulars

 

Reviews

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Alliance Brand: Fulfilling the promise of partnering

Mark Darby Wiley, £29.99 5/5

Reviews, 15 March 2007

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Blood Diamond

Directed by Edward Zick 4/5

Reviews, 15 March 2007

 

Update

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Patent pending

Belinda Doshi explains suggested changes in the Gowers Review and how they may affect intellectual property rights

 

Court report

Rhodia v Huntsman International

 

First person

Make consultants toe the line

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day," the wise old partner at the elite management consultancy firm told a new recruit. "But teach him how to fish and he will have no further use of our services."

First person, 15 March 2007

 

Home truths

Too tight to mention

An uncharitable wag once said: "The only surprising thing about uxoricide (killing your wife) is that there isn't more of it". Please, no complaints, we are merely quoting a third party.