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Nigel Smith to leave the Office of Government Commerce

CAB 106-10 
25 June 2010

Nigel Smith, Chief Executive at the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), has today confirmed he will be leaving his post when his current contract expires in September.

Nigel took up his three year tenure in 2007 to lead the OGC, which recently moved from HM Treasury to the Cabinet Office to form part of the Efficiency and Reform Group.

At the OGC, Nigel spearheaded major initiatives transforming procurement activity and capability across Whitehall. His strategic focus for the organisation has resulted in significant efficiency and value for money savings being achieved in the public sector.

As head of both the procurement and project management professions across the Civil Service, he has led improvements in skills and capability across a range of disciplines including procurement, project management, property management and environmental sustainability.

Nigel Smith said:

“It has been a privilege to lead OGC over the last three years and to have served as a Permanent Secretary on the Treasury Board. I am immensely proud of the progress made by the OGC team working with departments in putting procurement, estates management and commercial capability on the top table of Government. It is a tremendous foundation on which to build in supporting the Efficiency and Reform Group agenda.”

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said:

“The OGC will play a key part in the crucial work of the Efficiency and Reform Group.  Nigel has done a great job developing the skills and expertise needed to tackle the deficit through efficiency and value for money. I thank him for his commitment and his achievements at the OGC and wish him well for the future.”

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell said:

“Over three years Nigel has been a positive influence on the way Government departments procure goods and services. He has been an excellent leader and leaves the OGC in a strong position as it seeks greater savings. I wish him well for the future.”

Notes to editor

1. Nigel intends to return to the private sector when he leaves OGC, but does not have any current plans after his contract expires on 2 September 2010.
2. Nigel led three critical agendas at the forefront of OGC's work over the past three years. These include procurement capability, on which OGC published a ground breaking series of Procurement Capability Reviews of Government departments. Improvement in assurance of the success of major projects, on which OGC has worked with HMT to establish the new Major Projects Review Group. In addition to this he has also overseen significant improvements in the efficiency of government procurement of common goods and services, exceeding targets set.
3. OGC has also transformed its own capability, particularly in relation to analysis and modelling, publishing the first annual survey of procurement spending and the first two annual reviews of the efficiency and sustainability of the government estate. It also programme managed the relocation of 20,000 civil service posts from London and the South East; and established the Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement, which led to a step change in the delivery of sustainable development targets on the government estate.
4. For press queries please contact Liam English of the OGC press office on 020 7271 1376, or the Cabinet Office press office on 020 7276 0436. 

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