Monthly Archives: October 2013

HS2 Project – An estimated cost? The track record (no pun intended) of major railway projects being delivered to budget is very poor. The UK Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, has disclosed that the cost of the HS2 railway line between London, the Midlands and the North has risen by a third to more than £40 […]

Winning Business in 2014 Public sector are still spending, and we hear from Corporate organisations’ people that we are in contact with are feeling more bullish about the opportunities in 2014. How are you going to win business from your public sector and Corporate clients in 2014? With this in mind would you require someone who has […]

This morning I received an email update stating that a comment had been provided on one of my posts on Linkedin.  The comment read: “I might read some of your post if you stop liking what you’ve posted, I consider the practice to be offensive.” Now, seeing that – and being English- I immediately felt […]

CCG’s should ensure they have written Contracts with all Providers. These contracts will create obligations for the CCG and the Provider. CCG Contracts: Friend or Enema! It is an undoubted fact that, in the past, PCT’s have not always had written Contracts in place. Some arrangements were verbal, completely undocumented with custom and practice being […]

There is an increasing debate on the “Right of Audit” but less focus on the buying organisation requiring a contractor to disclose records and documents. A watershed case in 2012 “Transport for Greater Manchester (TGM) v Thales Transport & Security Ltd [2012] EWHC 3717 (TCC)” has, dramatically, clarified matters. Tiger teams, audit reports and £36m […]

Interested in being a supplier to M&S? “Screw the Supplier” This expression has been around buying and selling since time immemorial. It has raised its head again with Marks & Spencer sending a letter this week to its clothes vendors informing them that it would be delaying payments to them from 60 days after receipt […]

Managing procurement risk is our business.  It is essential that when advising clients sourcing suppliers/vendors and contractors that we identify if and how suppliers/vendors and contractors manage business continuity. Having asked the bidder for this information their reply amounted to: “We can work from home if necessary” This is a wholly inadequate and unprofessional response. ISO […]