The Government Opportunities magazine Excellence in Public Procurement Awards are fast becoming the most sought-after awards in the sector. The reason is simple - GO is the only magazine in the UK dedicated to public procurement, so when it gives an Award, it's doing so on the basis of in-depth knowledge of the marketplace.

With categories covering Individual and Team Excellence, Sustainability and Collaborative Working, the GO Awards reflect many of the key areas of focus within public procurement. Recognising that procurement is about buyers and suppliers working together, the GO Awards also include categories for Best Service and Best Small Supplier Innovation - this latter category acknowledging the role small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in supplying the public sector. The GO Awards also celebrate the achievements of those still relatively new to public procurement, with the Young Procurement Professional category open to those under the age of 30.

The pinnacle of the GO Awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award - presented to those who have furthered the public procurement profession during their career, and in doing so set a powerful example for others to follow. Previous winners of this Award include Dave Wheller, formerly Head of Procurement and Direct Services at Essex County Council (2007), David Smith, Commercial Director at the Department for Work and Pensions (2006), and Duncan Eaton, formerly Chief Executive of NHS PASA (2005).

The 2008 GO Awards will be presented at National Public Procurement Practitioners Day (N3PD), held at the Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London on 5 June. GO magazine is the media partner for N3PD: a fitting alliance given the aim of N3PD is to increase the awareness and recognition of the work of procurement professionals across the UK. N3PD is supported by many of the UK's most prominent procurement organisations and public bodies.

To find out more about N3PD, please click here