Gareth Davies, NAO Supremo, On Efficiency, Standards (and Procurement)
Last week, Gareth Davies, head of the UK’s National Audit Office, gave a speech to members of parliament and civil servants. He drew on the experience of NAO in carrying […]
Entries by Peter Smith
Why You Should Think About Committing Fraud
Every organisation is vulnerable to fraud and corruption. You shoudl think about where the vulnerabilities lie – before the fraudsters do!
A Mone About PPE (Again!)
Reports in the Guardian last week suggested that Michelle Mone, business woman and member of the British House of Lords, benefited directly from PPE contracts which the government awarded during […]
Beware – Conflict of Interest Ahead!
Conflict of interest in procurement can occur in various ways and via various players in the process – and can be a minor issue or lead to serious corruption.
Waitrose Denies that New Systems are Causing Stock Issues
We write pretty regularly about public sector procurement disasters, probably more than we cover private sector failures. When I was researching and writing the Bad Buying book, I found it […]
Supplier Collusion (Part 2) – Which Industries Are Vulnerable?
Certain industries are more likely to experience supplier collusion than others – why is that?
Supplier Collusion on the Agenda at NPI Conference
Presentation on supplier collusion at the recent NPI conference in Atlanta gets delegates thinking – could our suppliers be ripping us off?
Why Did Apple Sack Top Procurement Guy?
Tony Blevins was sacked as Apple’s VP of procurement recently. He was at a car event in Pebble Beach with his Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren when he was approached by TikTok […]
Purchasing Cards – Open to Fraud or Better than Purchase Orders?
Purchasing card expenditure in the UK Foreign Office is under scrutiny – but cards should still be considered as a useful procurement tool.
Fat Leonard Escapes – then Recaptured! US Navy Procurement Fraud Back in Headlines
Fat Leonard, the businessman who corrupted hundreds of US Naval Officers, has been recaptured in venezuela after skipping house arrest in San Diego.