Platinum, the highest award level, is granted to organisations which can demonstrate that excellence in procurement and contract management is the lifeblood of their business. Just ten organisations in the UK have received the accolade from the professional body, demonstrating the sheer proficiency of HS2’s governance and management processes.
The award follows an evidence-based assessment of 151 separate submissions, which scrutinised the way that HS2 Ltd operates, alongside its performance against five assessment criteria:
- Leadership & Organisation
- Strategy
- People
- Processes and Systems
- Performance Measurement and Management
Collaboration is at the heart of HS2 Ltd’s stand-out strategy. The company adopts a ‘team of teams’ approach across its project delivery, procurement, commercial and technical teams, underpinned by strong governance, transparency and external scrutiny. This approach extends to its supply chain, with contractors integrated into project teams to ensure seamless ways of working and an agile response to the evolving needs of the project.
HS2 Ltd’s CIPS submission went through three rounds of review and assessment before culminating in an interview with an independent verifier. There was unanimous agreement that the company delivering one of the most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK should receive the top award.
On receiving the award, HS2’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ruth Todd said:
“This award demonstrates the robustness of the procurement and commercial policies and processes that HS2 has in place to ensure public money is managed responsibly as we build Britain’s new railway.
“Our fair and competitive processes ensure we bring the very best suppliers and talent on board, while driving value for money. Today, CIPS has recognised that HS2 Ltd is not just committed, but excelling in the way it operates.”
HS2 Ltd has a contract portfolio of £23bn, with over 80 strategic procurement exercises underway and over 300 contracts in management. Highlights to date include contracts – worth around £2bn – to build Britain’s next generation of high-speed trains at factories in Derby and County Durham, supporting 2,500 UK jobs.
HS2 Ltd has also procured contracts to build two of the world’s most ecofriendly railway stations, with Interchange and Old Oak Common both securing BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ ratings. The two stations, which will be net zero in operation, are at the heart of local plans to create new jobs, business, housing and commercial development opportunities that will drive growth.
Andrew Cubitt, Procurement & Supply Chain Director at HS2, said:
“The economic boost linked to HS2’s supply chain contracts is already clear, it’s supporting almost 30,000 UK jobs, over 3,000 British businesses, and 3,500 formerly unemployed people back into work.
“In the years ahead, rail travel in the UK will be revolutionised. Towns and cities in the Midlands and the North will prosper and the economic, social and environmental benefits derived from investing in Britain’s new cleaner, greener railway will be evident.”
Alan Martin, Head of Procurement Excellence at CIPS, said:
”The team has been tenacious and committed to achieving PEP at this level and I congratulate them for all their hard work.
“I wish them well in the future and look forward to seeing more successes to come.”
For more information about HS2’s procurement pipeline and supplier opportunities, visit www.hs2.org.uk/supply-chain.
