Specialisms
I specialise in the following areas:
- Running of Procurement Processes
- Strategic Procurement Support
Rish is a highly skilled and experienced procurement professional and independent consultant with a career spanning central and local government, the NHS, and the wider public and non-profit sectors. He is routinely engaged as an independent specialist to advise public sector managers, leaders and boards and to deliver compliant public procurements, support commercial activities and to resolve procurement and contract management problems.
Key Strengths/Area of Expertise
- Strategic Procurement Support
- Running and supporting Procurement Processes
- Commercialisation of Services
- Procurement and Commercial Transformation
- Project Management
- Partnership and Strategy Development
- Digital consultancy
- Training and Mentoring
Professional Qualifications
- Chartered Procurement Professional (Ch. MCIPS)
- Accredited Contract Manager – Government Commercial Function (GFC)
- Accredited Practitioner – Procurement Act 2023 TPP – Government Commercial Function (GFC)
- BSc(Hons) Business Administration
Testimonials/Case Studies
Worked with South Norfolk and Broadland Councils via LGE to design and deliver a compliant procurement approach for a major software platform.
Engaged as a procurement and commercial expert within the UK Fusion’s Energy development programme (UKIFS), delivering a programme of high complexity and high-value procurements.
Worked within the external transformation team for Liverpool City Council’s procurement service following a series of sensitive events which occurred at the authority.
Conducted an comprehensive review of Birmingham City Council’s off-contract spend within the sensitive transport category.
Value Added
- Solves complex procurement and commercial challenges faced by UK public bodies, particularly where time, value, risk, scrutiny or compliance are critical
- Provides clear, independent and pragmatic advice as a trusted hired expert, grounded in exceptional knowledge of public procurement policy, legislation and governance
- Brings clarity and assurance to high value and high-risk procurement decisions, supporting leaders to achieve their goals.
- Designs and delivers proportionate, compliant and outcome focused procurement approaches that improve value for money
- Strengthens commercial outcomes through effective market engagement, contract negotiation and supplier relationship management
- Navigates procurement activity through governance, control and assurance processes across
- Improves organisational capability by shaping procurement strategies aligned to corporate objectives
- Raises the effectiveness, credibility and influence of the procurement function within complex public sector environments
Relevant Sector Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of the UK public procurement regulatory framework as it applies to local government, including statutory duties, governance, transparency and audit requirements
- Deep understanding of the local government operating environment: Including political governance, member and officer roles and internal and external scrutiny of decision-making processes.
- Experience of working within the financial and delivery pressures faced by councils, including savings requirements, timeline and budgetary constraints and service sustainability
- Knowledge of key local government spend categories and markets, including social care, housing, highways, waste, construction, professional services and ICT
- Understanding of local authority policy priorities such as social value, equality duties, climate and sustainability, and local economic growth
- Knowledge of commercial and delivery models used by councils, including in house delivery, outsourcing, arms length organisations and partnership arrangements
- Awareness of the practical requirements of delivering procurement in a council context, including stakeholder engagement, reporting to members and managing public and audit scrutiny
Training/Coaching Programs/Workshop offers
Training
- Fundamentals of Public Procurement – (for non-procurement stakeholders)
- Evaluation and Moderation of Bids (for non-experts)
Coaching:
- Critical Friend / Independent Advisor Service: Supporting local authority personnel to check, challenge and improve procurement approaches, supplier and contract management tactics and commercial decision making.
LGR Experience & Expertise
- Knowledge of the procurement and contract implications of Local Government Reorganisation, including novation, assignment, variation and termination of existing contracts
- Understanding of due diligence requirements for inherited contracts, frameworks and supplier obligations
- Knowledge of approaches to contract and policy harmonisation following reorganisation, including alignment of terms, pricing and service standards
- Understanding of procurement governance and decision making during transition, including shadow authorities and delegated powers
- Knowledge of managing procurement risk and ensuring continuity of critical services during transition periods
- Understanding of TUPE and workforce transfer considerations as they relate to procurement and mobilisation
- Knowledge of effective market and supplier engagement during reorganisation to maintain stability and confidence