23 February 2011 | Angeline
Albert
The
role of chief executive at BuyingSolutions, the UK government’s purchasing
agency, is to be incorporated into a new chief procurement officer post at the Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG),
SM has learnt.
The
Cabinet Office confirmed an internal search for a candidate to fill the expanded
position is under way. “I can confirm that the Cabinet Office is currently
looking to recruit a chief procurement officer. This new post combines the head
of procurement role and the chief executive role at Buying Solutions to form a
single position,” said a spokesman.
Former
Home Office commercial director John Collington took up the role of ERG head of procurement last September.
The Cabinet Office would not confirm whether Collington had been approached
about taking the new post, and he could not be reached for comment.
David
Shields, Buying Solutions’ procurement delivery director, is temporarily in
charge of day-to-day operations at the agency since the departure of former chief executive Alison Littley earlier this month.
Shields currently reports to Collington.
The Cabinet Office is currently reviewing the future of Buying Solutions,
with a report to ministers expected in March. As SM previously reported, it is
likely to be a smaller organisation, with a primary focus on central government
procurement.
