17 February 2011 | David Loseby

David Loseby, procurement director at Stonegate, on his new job, new challenges and the importance of people skills.

New role

I left Westminster City Council at the end of December and started immediately with hospitality group Stonegate (backed by private equity company TDR Capital) the next day. I went from public sector to private equity in one move.

My responsibilities are everything and anything that requires a contract. I have to build a new team and put in place new processes.
My current team is quite small (five people) and I have a budget of around £250 million. At Westminster City Council I managed 110 people.

Job satisfaction

The aspect I enjoy the most is the challenge of something new and different. The retail/leisure industry is a relatively new sector for me.

I wouldn’t change anything about my career so far because I’ve had the opportunity to work in diverse sectors and in many different capacities.

The achievements of which I am most proud range from successful contracts to seeing people perform following investment in their training and development.

Careers advice

Listening and treating people with respect is the best advice I can give. Purchasers should get good business experience, and there is no substitute for ongoing professional development. Get stuck into new challenges and opportunities because it will always help you later on in some way. And remember, it is teams that deliver, not individuals.

Key skills

A buyer needs the ability to understand that preparation is key based on solid facts and data (they are hard to challenge). They must also be honest and have exceptional people skills.


In five years’ time I see procurement split into two disciplines: tactical and e-enabled; and strategic business-orientated procurement.


CV: David Loseby

Job history

2006-present: Director, Vault Consulting (various roles including CPO and head of SRM at Westminster City Council)

2004-2006: Commercial & operations director, Zenith Vehicle Contracts

2003-2004: Purchasing director (interim) Britvic Soft Drinks

2001-2003: Change programme director, Barclays Bank

2000-2001: Group sourcing director – Epsom, WS Atkins

1991-2000: Various positions, Smithkline Beecham

Education

Nottingham Trent University - chartered surveyor
UMIST - MSc in pharmaceutical engineering
Michigan (US) - manufacturing

Personal info

Favourite TV show: Skins

Guiltiest pleasure: Expensive red wine