Discover and share good practice for smarter working universities

HEPA professional development courses: limited spaces are still available

The Higher Education Procurement Academy (HEPA) still has some limited spaces available on the following professional development courses: Introduction to Procurement – 3 December, London Practical...
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Strategic sourcing: new approaches to deliver success

This conference will examine the state of play in strategic sourcing. It will demonstrate how universities can prioritise areas for change, better understand the marketplace for service providers and will offer tips for managing new relationships.
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The Procurement Journey: a ‘how to’ guide from HEPA

The Procurement Journey gives procurement professionals and wider institutional buyers access to a comprehensive 'how to' guide to procurement, including a wealth of useful materials, standardised documentation, up-to-date legislation information, and references to appropriate external advice websites. It has been professionally reviewed, and is now available online for use across the sector.

Smarter procurement in universities

Procurement UK was established to provide high-level leadership and strategic coordination for procurement across the whole United Kingdom. This infographic, commissioned by Procurement UK with the support of the Efficiency Exchange, celebrates some key achievements of the UK Higher Education Procurement community in recent years.
Meeta Thareja of Metavalue

5 ways to kick start your change programme

'The beginning is the most important part of the work' - Plato. Following ancient wisdom, Meeta Thareja and Suzie Campbell offer a starter list for your change programme. They will be speaking at the 'Strategic Sourcing: new approaches to deliver success' conference in London on 4 February.

A parade of not so beautiful beauties?

The higher education energy market is becoming increasingly competitive. Richard Murphy from the public buying organisation The Energy Consortium (TEC) warns of the hidden dangers in the contracting process and urges universities to involve a broad range of departments when procuring energy services.
Jules Pretty and Day Nursery Graduates, University of Essex

‘Insourcing’ is the new ‘outsourcing’

Creating a wholly-owned subsidiary company to house the commercial activities of a university is fundamentally about cultural change rather than cost saving. If the focus is placed firmly on stripping out payroll costs through reducing rates of pay and associated staff benefits, then the project is doomed to failure, says Peter Church Director of Campus Services at the University of Essex.

Procurement training opportunities: for all staff who buy goods and services

Do you buy goods and services at your university? If so, you might be interested in this range of opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge offered by HEPA, LUPC and SPCE.

University procurement: ‘Never miss an opportunity to promote what you do’

Alison Holmes, director of procurement at Durham University, talks about the important role of procurement in a higher education institution and why it should be seen as a strategic function.

Tony Newjem: adding value at Heriot-Watt

The impact of procurement departments on university's spending is well-known. But as Tony Newjem of Heriot-Watt University explains, as well as saving money they can also add value through their work across the university.