Category Archives: News

The International Festival for Business is taking place in Liverpool this summer aiming to accelerate UK economic growth with an ambitious programme of global business events running throughout July 2014. Great, say you (with weary cynicism)! However…as we have seen recently, two thirds of buyers expect a pay rise in 2014. How are you going to justify […]

  10 points about real life bribery and fraud We have a continuing research project into Bribery & Fraud, specifically when the circumstances involve procurement and other staff with a supplier(s). This research has led us to a report on “Investigation into bribery and fraud at RailCorp (Australian report by ICAC – First Report). Chapter […]

No doubt your processes to engage and manage suppliers and contractors have served you well. Is it now time – right at the commencement of your new financial year – to confirm they are fit for purpose and capable of supporting your objectives during the next phase of your organisation’s development? Working with your stakeholders, including […]

Engaging with people interested in procurement, risk and negotiation here at Brian Farrington is a challenging yet exciting activity we do – behind consultancy and training that is – and I’ve always enjoyed doing it. From social media (Twitter and Linkedin), website management, speaking at events and everything in between. What made me think hard and more than twice […]

A shocking wake-up call on Partnering from the DVLA, Fujitsu, IBM United Kingdom (and not forgetting PwC)? This trial of preliminary issues arises out of a claim brought by Fujitsu Services Ltd against IBM United Kingdom Ltd [2014] EWHC752 (TCC).  There is to be a full trial in 2015.  The situation arose out of a […]

Reading a cemetery contracting audit report – we really do love procurement here at Brian Farrington:) – can confirm that procurement principles apply in all situations where third party expenditure is involved. The audit comments are thought-provoking – here are 6 examples: 1.       “We found that due to the City’s weak contract management and oversight over […]

Our previous emphasis (read part 1 here) was on financial outcomes, which, of course, take place within the context of the contract. Typically, contracts are negotiated and, when signed, will be meticulously managed by whoever is accountable on the project team. In regard to the lump sum price, the contract specified, “no amounts whatsoever, other […]