08 June 2006 | Rebecca Ellinor

Resource, the new East Midlands NHS hub, has unveiled its leadership team.

Ian Shepherd has been appointed chief executive, with Steve Graham joining him as deputy chief executive and supply chain director. Melanie Evans, development and innovation director and Rakesh Marwaha, corporate services director, start this month. A purchasing director and 12 purchasing and sourcing managers are still being sought.

The hub oversees an annual spend of £1 billion and will buy goods and services for 44 NHS organisations. It will work with the health bodies in its area and NHS Pasa over what should be bought at a regional level.

It also aims to save £33 million in the next three years.

Graham told SM: "We're taking a broader approach. It's different from the technical procurement game, with some buyers acting as a kind of sales and marketing team.

"The sourcing managers will work with customers to define requirements, while purchasing will negotiate with suppliers."

While the bodies it buys for, - including hospitals, ambulance services, GP surgeries and mental health trusts - do not have to take up the contracts, there is a vested interest in doing so as they have contributed to the hub's £2.8 million annual running cost.

In return stakeholders are awarded votes according to the size of spend to ensure a clear return on investment. "That's the investment decision, and we need to deliver on that," said Graham.

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