USW recognised at national procurement awards for second year running

The University of South Wales (USW) has been recognised for a second year in a row at the GO Awards Wales, which celebrates the procurement achievements from Wales' public, private and third sector organisations.

Procurement Director Catherine Lund was named Individual of the Year, while the University’s Procurement Team was highly commended for the Public Procurement Project of the Year.

Judged by leading procurement figures 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.

Catherine was named Individual of the Year for her leadership of the USW Procurement Team, which manages contract management, supplier relationship management (SRM), purchase operations, and strategic procurement.

On being recognised for this award, Catherine said: “I am both thrilled and humbled to have won the ‘Individual of the Year’ award, particularly noting the calibre of the other finalists this year.

“I feel very fortunate that my colleagues and the Executive team embrace the transformation my approach brings to how we procure and conduct business as a University. Collectively, we are working together to support future generations and build better tomorrows. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Rachel Elias-Lee, Chief Finance and Operating Officer at USW, said: “Catherine has built a successful and high-performing team who have changed the reputation and profile of strategic procurement across the USW Group.

“USW would truly not be the institution it is without Catherine. She has shown the power that great procurement strategy can make to an institution, has changed attitudes and perceptions, and has successfully brought people along with her on the journey.”

The University’s Procurement Team was also highly commended in the Public Procurement Project of the Year category, which celebrates a project that consolidates best practice and innovation in multiple areas into a single, brilliantly executed initiative. The team was recognised for its work delivering a series of complex procurement activities for Calon, USW’s new Computing, Engineering and Technology building, which is set to open in September 2026.

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 approach to delivering the highly complex procurement of our flagship capital project, Calon. I’d especially like to thank Procurement Partner Laura Perrott for her leadership of this project. This is an outstanding example of how the team creates innovation and societal value and secures real market attention by daring to do things differently.”