USW recognised at national procurement awards

Colleagues from the University of South Wales (USW) have been recognised at this year’s GO Awards Wales, which recognises the procurement achievements from Wales' public, private and third sector organisations.

Senior Lecturer Scott Parfitt was highly commended for Individual of the Year in recognition of his contribution to the Welsh public sector, while the University’s procurement team was highly commended in the Social Value award category.

Judged by leading procurement figures from across Wales and the UK, the awards showcase organisations and individuals who have led the way in public procurement best practice and celebrate collaborative approaches which are driving advancements in healthcare, education, and social services.

Scott, who is the course leader for the BSc Logistics Procurement and Supply Chain Management and MSc Strategic Procurement Management degrees, was highly commended in his category for the creation of a student placement programme in partnership with Cardiff Council, which has been running for more than a decade. After securing Welsh Government funding, the programme has provided three placements each year across the Welsh public procurement sector.

Scott has helped undergraduate and postgraduate students into procurement roles across the public sector in Wales, with organisations such as Cardiff Council, Caerphilly Council, the NHS, UK Shared Business Services (UKSBS), the MoD, and the Crown Commercial Service. He also organises student placements at USW, with a student currently undertaking a 12-month placement with the University’s procurement team.

Scott acts as a critical friend to Cardiff Council on matters of procurement strategy and best practice and was recently an advisory board member for the Buying Social Justice Through Procurement research project. Scott has also judged the Procurex Wales Awards and the annual USW Supplier Awards.

On being recognised in the Individual of the Year category, he said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be recognised by industry peers for Individual of the Year, and I thank the judges for their nomination. During the past 21 years I have taken pride in providing procurement graduate jobs for our students and ensuring that our students are prepared for industry.

“I would like to thank our industry partners (Cardiff Council, Caerphilly Council, NHS Shared Services, Continental Teves, Welsh Government and USW Procurement) who have supported me during this journey. I would especially like to thank Welsh Government for the funding they have provided in recent years to support USW student placements.

“I am the current bastion of Procurement and Supply Chain at USW, but I stand on the shoulders of giants. I would like to thank former colleagues, in particular Dr Ralph Barker, Chris Lee and the late Dr Kath Ringwald for their guidance and support during my tenure. Our procurement and supply chain students/alumni make me very proud – they are the best in the business, and it’s a pleasure to work with them.”

The University’s procurement team was also highly commended in the Social Value category, which celebrates those who consider social value as integral to their procurement activity. The team was honoured for its introduction of a Social Value Matrix, which has driven community outcomes including job creation, environmental sustainability, and local economic support.

The Matrix has also increased opportunities for students through the delivery of guest lectures and placements, helping to connect industry with academia. The introduction of the Matrix at USW has meant social objectives are now embedded into the tender process, making them non-negotiable in contract awarding.

Catherine Lund, Procurement Director at USW, said: “I am delighted that the team has been honoured at this year’s GO Awards Wales - it recognises their brilliant work to keep social value at the heart of procurement at USW.”

“The team has tapped into the breadth of opportunities which are available via our supply chain, benefitting our students, colleagues and local communities. Collectively, we are working together to support future generations and build better tomorrows. I couldn’t be prouder.”