23 September 2022
Procurement Development Officer appointed to support Aberdeenshire businesses
Aberdeenshire Council has appointed a Procurement Development Officer.
Russell Wemyss’ role will help local businesses that could supply the council through direct or sub contracting opportunities to bid for public sector contracts and encourage the local supply chain to explore public sector opportunities to support the local and regional economy.
The council’s Economic Development team successfully bid for Business Gateway flexible funding to support the role which will encourage local suppliers to tender for work, provide assistance and identify the barriers preventing them from tendering.
The Business Gateway flexible fund supports projects within the region which support a more responsive, local and flexible manner to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
It is important that projects like these are there to support and grow local businesses which has greater economic benefits for the region.
Welcoming the appointment, Cllr John Crawley, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “This project focuses on business support to ensure our local supply chain is aware of the opportunities and, in turn, we gain valuable feedback on the capacity of that same local supply chain.
“A key element of this is being based within the local community itself and being accessible to the local supply chain. I am delighted we are utilising the Live Life Aberdeenshire library service as a base in each of the four northern towns of Banff, Macduff, Fraserburgh and Peterhead which have been successfully utilised by partners to deliver previous business support packages.
ISC vice-chair Cllr Isobel Davidson added: “The message we are hearing from partners such as Skills Development Scotland is that this pipeline is absolutely key and the industry is actively seeking this vital information. Strong collaboration throughout the skills pipeline in procuring services will be required to maximise the competitive advantage and drive growth various sectors over the next decade.”
Paul Macari, Head of Planning and Economy at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Taking the Aberdeenshire construction sector as an example, the economic systems surrounding the decarbonisation requirement requires rapid and ambitious upskilling and innovation.
“This industry is driven by relatively short-term contracts of which few, to-date, have involved the type of full decarbonisation which will be driven through regulation over the next decade. while a lot of the detail around the transition is unknown, we can provide leadership, confidence, and stability around the pipeline. Making even a 2% increase in our procurement equates to £5m retained locally.”
If you have a query or would like to understand more about the planned programme, email russell.wemyss2@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call 01467534862.