Alan Heron is a procurement professional with over 20 years’ experience across both the private & public realms and multiple sectors including IT, automotive, healthcare, and public sector markets. He has extensive experience of Public Procurement legislation, contract negotiation, and contract management. Recently awarded a fellowship to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, Alan is an established and recognised procurement expert. He has been Director of Procurement with Places for People Group, one of the UK’s largest property management and Placemaking organisations since 2015.

David is a Senior Policy Advisor for the Domestic Procurement Policy team in the Cabinet Office, and is responsible for procurement policy across a wide portfolio, including; Net Zero, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. David works closely with other Government departments and industry stakeholders, and published ‘Procurement Policy Note 06/21: Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts’ in 2021. David leads the implementation of the Carbon policy in an effort to decarbonise Government suppliers using the power of public procurement. David is also working across Government to support the development of policy relating to AI adoption, and published ‘Guidelines for AI Procurement’ in 2020 with the Office for AI. Before joining the Cabinet Office in 2020, David worked for Crown Commercial Service as commercial and procurement manager for CCS' digital services, and has held other commercial and procurement roles in the Wider Public Sector.

Duncan has worked in both private and public sector sourcing and procurement teams for the last 25 years. Across roles within financial services, central government local authorities, housing and wider public sector he has extensive experience leading teams and working with supply chains to develop and deliver sustainable collaborative procurement solutions across a range of indirect spend categories. He is currently the Head of Strategic Procurement at national social enterprise Fusion21 with focus on the build environment with its keen focus on social value and sustainable deliverables.

Originally a building engineer specialising in sustainable development, Guy’s career in sustainability and social value spans over 30 years. He is an experienced and recognised business leader, having set up three separate businesses in the sustainability field so far. He founded the social value measurement tool and consultancy, Social Value Portal, in 2014 and has grown the business to become a highly regarded, leading organisation within the social value arena. Guy is focused on unlocking the social, environmental and financial value that the business world has to offer, with the sole aim of improving communities and building a more resilient, sustainable society for all.

Jane is a Professor in Procurement for the Logistics and Operations Management (LOM) section of Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. Jane’s subject areas for research and teaching include innovation and social public procurement, supply chain management, and collaboration. Jane is the strategic lead for Procurement Labs in a WEFO funded project, Infuse (Innovation of Future Public Services). Jane is Programme Director for the UK Government funded 'Help to Grow Management' programme delivered at Cardiff Buisness School aimed at supporting SMEs with business growth. Additional Roles: Member of IRSPP (international research study on public procurement) Branch Chair of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) South Wales Associate Director (MICW) of Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW), Cymru

John Fitzgerald Coyne nicknamed ‘Fitzy’ is an expert at developing commercial strategy and skills for the modern business. Named after the 35th President of the United States he had the privilege of working closely with his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver a long-time advocate for children's health and disability issues who founded the movement that became Special Olympics. John began his career in the Irish tourism sector and in 1991 became the first ever Commercial Director at Liverpool FC where he was tasked with broadening the financial, commercial and business development aspects of the club. After leaving Liverpool FC, John spent some time at Sports Wales before moving to the health sector where he has largely remained since. John was most recently the Managing Director an NHS owned Teckal Company, SWFT Clinical Services Ltd. Here he managed a turnover of approximately £50m a year and 280 staff. He’s appeared on ‘This is your Life’ and ‘Question Time’ and interviewed Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Cecelia Ahern and Colin Farrell for cover stories for the Irish Post newspaper, and once even presented to a President! John is a keen runner and lives with his wife Lisa and daughter Darcy. He became the Director Commercial and Procurement for the Welsh Government in September 2021.

Julie Welsh is the Director of Scotland Excel, the Centre of Procurement Expertise for local government. As the organisation's senior officer, she provides leadership and strategic direction to ensure its services are aligned to the needs of the sector. Since taking up her post in September 2014, Julie has implemented strategies to extend the range of services provided by Scotland Excel, extend the influence of the organisation in the wider public sector landscape, and secure its future as a leading shared service.

Responsible for the Strategic Procurement of the Translink Group`s Bus, Coach, Glider and Rail Fleets, and the supporting Engineering Maintenance requirements. Translink is the integrated public transport provider for Northern Ireland With a passion for procurement, Mark has over 41 years of Procurement and Supply Chain experience across both private and public sector organisations, having held senior positions at Wrightbus Ltd, PwC LLP, Transport for London (TfL), NI Civil Service and for the last 13 years with Translink. Mark is the Regional Chair of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and is one of a handful of Chartered Fellows of the Institute currently working in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and is currently studying for an MSc in Strategic Procurement Management at the University of South Wales. And was the recipient of the `Individual Achievement Award` for the transformation of public transport procurement at the 2022 Northern Ireland Go Awards.

Nick spent eight years as Head of Commercial and Procurement at the Department for International Development. Following over 25 years within the private sector specialising in procurement, commercial and project management in roles across the UK, USA, Australia, and Spain, Nick joined the public sector as part of HMG’s Commercial Functional Leadership Group. Nick is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Previously a CIPS Regional Chair and regular keynote speaker at conferences, Nick is also an active mentor for Procurement and Commercial professionals.

Crown Commercial Service plays an important role helping the UK public sector save money when buying common goods and services. Paul has been with CCS for more than 13years, and leads the Crown Commercial Service Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies Team. Prior to that Paul held commercial roles in organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and Scottish Procurement & Property Directorate and has worked in the profession for more tnan 30 years.

Paul began his career in public sector housing working for Newark and Sherwood Homes in Nottinghamshire, where he spent 8 years, starting as a temporary finance admin officer before working his way up to procurement manager. Having managed tenant insurance, leaseholder properties, customer service, careline services and procurement he moved into the framework sector with Consortium Procurement in 2019. Today he works for national framework provider LHC, specialising in Construction, as the Regional Procurement Manager. Paul is passionate about procurement and helping to change the way procurement is done to open the public sector to the very best suppliers available.

A strategic and hands-on commercial/procurement leader, Philip has a proven track record of achievements across multiple categories (Business Process Outsourcing, Technology and Digital Systems and Solutions, Financial Systems, Logistics and Record Storage, Travel Management, Professional Services, Contact and Service Centres). He has had a robust Commercial career across the Public Sector, Finance, Automotive, Rail, Road and Construction Industries. Philip has responsibility for Common Goods and Services across Technology and Digital Categories of spend and manages £7.2bn across several categories including Cloud and Digital, Networks, Software Cyber and AI, Digital Futures, and Technology Products and Services across central government, public and third sector (charities and social enterprises) organisations across the UK. Prior to joining Crown Commercial Service Philip headed up the Information and Technology Commercial and Procurement Group at Highways England as the Commercial and Procurement Director. Prior to this he was the head of the Digital Platforms, Programmes and Applications Category at the Department for Work and Pensions where he was also the Commercial Director for the Universal Credit Programme. Before joining the UK Public Service, Philip worked for Siemens where he had responsibilities for a multi-site and multi business commercial activities spanning the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe, South and North America across several industry sectors including: Automotive, Transportation (Rail, Civils, Communications, Electrification and Signalling) and Financial/Business Services.

Rebecca is a partner and Head of Public Procurement. She also leads the cross-firm Building a Safer Future team at Trowers & Hamlins. Rebecca is a leading national expert in public procurement law, consistently ranked as among the world's leading government contracts lawyers (Who's Who Legal and Chambers and Partners). Rebecca has significant experience in advising clients in the public, private and third sectors on public procurement, subsidy control and building safety strategy issues. She advises clients on procurement strategy and structures, how to conduct flexible and compliant procurement procedures and compile objective and transparent evaluation models and guidance. With particular interests in value-led procurement, social value and building safety, Rebecca is a member of the Working Group 11 for Procurement Competency, part of the Competency Steering Group (CSG), set up by the Industry Response Group (IRG) to tackle competency failings identified in the Hackitt Review, Building a Safer Future and sits on DLUHC's Procurement Advisory Group. Rebecca also represents Trowers & Hamlins on the Social Value in Housing Taskforce, led by HACT, which focuses on the further development of robust measurement and management of social value outcomes. Rebecca also sits on the Advisory Council of Radioactive Waste Management, the public sector organisation established by government responsible for planning and delivering geological disposal of higher activity radioactive waste in the UK. Rebecca is ranked in Band 1 and named as a 'Top Ranked and Leader in the Field for Public Procurement (UK-wide)' by the Chambers and Partners' Guide to the Legal Profession 2022. She is also recognised as a Global Leader in the "Who's Who Legal Guide to Government Contracts 2021".

Tina is the Programme Manager for the procurement and commissioning programmes within the LGA. Her work includes: • Convening and liaising with our National Advisory Group for Local Government Procurement • Leading on the implementation of the National Procurement Strategy for local government • Leading on NPS workstreams including strategic supplier management, innovation, skills and our work on social value • Working with wider public sector partners on policy issues relating to procurement Tina has been with the LGA since 2003 having spent the previous fifteen years as a procurement practitioner and procurement consultant, delivering procurement expertise to public, private and financial sectors.