Hugh provides leadership to Scotland Excel's strategic procurement and commissioning teams and ensures that the organisation delivers best value collaborative contracts to its customers. Hugh works closely with stakeholders to ensure that their strategic priorities are incorporated into future development plans, and that the needs of our sector are represented in national procurement plans. Hugh has extensive experience of supply chain and outsourcing management. He spent 12 years at the electronics company Compaq, and has held senior roles at Accenture, Network Rail and Babcock International. Prior to joining Scotland Excel, Hugh was responsible for supply chain and commercial management at Scottish Water Solutions.

APUC is a Centre of Expertise for the Higher and Further Education Sector in Scotland and was formed in 2007. APUC is owned by Scotland’s Universities and Colleges and operates entirely in the interests of these institutional stakeholders. Claire has been with APUC for over 4 years and is responsible for Operational Procurement to ensure that compliant collaborative Framework Agreements are delivered under a Category Management structure to meet the needs of the sector driving benefits and efficiencies in line with the relevant Regulations.

Crown Commercial Service plays an important role helping the UK public sector save money when buying common goods and services. Paul has been with CCS for more than 13 years, and leads the Crown Commercial Service Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies Team. Prior to that Paul held commercial roles in organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and Scottish Procurement & Property Directorate and has worked in the profession for more than 30 years.

Nick spent eight years as Head of Commercial and Procurement at the Department for International Development. Following over 25 years within the private sector specialising in procurement, commercial and project management in roles across the UK, USA, Australia, and Spain, Nick joined the public sector as part of HMG’s Commercial Functional Leadership Group. Nick is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Previously a CIPS Regional Chair and regular keynote speaker at conferences, Nick is also an active mentor for Procurement and Commercial professionals.

Extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in the UK and overseas. Key proficiencies include procurement collaboration, strategic sourcing and relationship management. Intimate knowledge of and exposure to the Scottish public sector procurement transformation agenda. Experience also in the consultancy, aviation and drinks sectors. Currently head up the team in Scottish Government responsible for letting and managing national collaborative agreements accessible across the public sector; also responsible for the procurement of innovation.

Stevie joined NHS Scotland in 2009 from a supply chain and procurement background within the private sector. A chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and holder of a Masters Degree in Supply Chain Management from The University of Strathclyde, he is currently the Head of Governance within NHS NSS National Procurement, the Health Procurement Centre of Expertise, which holds the responsibility for the sourcing, supply chain management and logistics services under a contract portfolio of £1.4bn per annum. A passionate supported of continuous professional development and procurement professionalism, Stevie is of the strong belief that great procurement and supply management from a strong supply base can deliver huge value for the NHS. Not just from a cost saving perspective but also through delivering innovation, social value and environmental benefits.