Driving Innovation and Better Value in Public Services through Procurement

May 21 2013

IoD Northern Ireland recognises the potential for our Public Sector to play a role in driving economic growth. At the same time, public sector bodies face the challenge of doing more with less. Public procurement is a key component in rebalancing our economy at a time of constrained public spending.

Through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) - a key element of the forthcoming NI Innovation Strategy - it is possible for the public sector to:

  • stimulate the development of new innovative , cost effective solutions;
  • support the growth of the private sector economy;
  • incentivise new suppliers (especially small companies) to enter the market; and
  • become a more informed procurer.

The good news is that Northern Ireland is well placed to take advantage of this type of procurement to drive innovation in both our public services and our business base.

At the end of the briefing you will have gained an appreciation of this innovative form of procurement from the perspective of private companies, public policy makers and practitioners. The briefing team will also be available after the event to discuss practical ways of getting involved in the initiative.

The briefing, which is free to attend and includes breakfast, is being jointly run by the Chief Executives' Forum and the Institute of Directors.

It will be delivered by:

Eoin McFadden, Innovation Procurement Executive, Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment: Eoin has worked with the UK's SBRI team for five years and has been involved both in running SBRI projects and in establishing the NI policy framework.

Alan McVicker, Strategic Investment Board: Alan is the project manager of a major SBRI Project currently underway to develop sustainable solutions to the utilisation of poultry litter.

John Reid founder and CEO of local Repknight which was successful in a SBRI competition with a major Whitehall Department and which has had significant benefits for the company and also government.

To reserve a place please click on the 'Register' button above and complete the online booking form or contact Roisin Liddy at the Chief Executives' Forum, (E) mail@ceforum.org, (T) 028 9034 7402 or 7400.