Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), Nigel Smith has been confirmed to speak at the national Government Opportunities (GO) magazine Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2009, held in conjunction with National Public Procurement Practitioners Day (N3PD).

With a wealth of commercial and procurement experience and a proven track record leading successful national and global businesses, Mr Smith will join previously confirmed speaker, Michael O'Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission to deliver his address to hundreds of delegates in attendance on 4 June 2009. He follows in the footsteps of previous distinguished speakers addressing the national GO Awards, including Chairman of the BBC Trust Sir Michael Lyons, former Minister for the Third Sector Phil Hope MP; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable MP; and UK Business Ambassador for UK Trade & Investment and former CBI Director General Sir Digby Jones.

Organised by market-leading procurement specialists BiP Solutions Ltd, the national GO Awards honour the role of procurement personnel and celebrate the part they play in delivering effective public services.

Bringing together representatives from central government, local authorities, utilities and community initiatives, as well as the private sector, the GO Awards recognise the efforts procurement professionals make to help deliver ever-improving public services. Benefits to the taxpayer through more efficient spending and innovative procurement methods can mean more nurses in hospitals, more police officers on the streets and even lower council tax bills.

The Awards are held in conjunction with N3PD, the most eagerly anticipated event in the public sector procurement calendar. Once again, N3PD has the support of many leading bodies across business and government, and the event is the perfect opportunity to hear from some of the key figures influencing public procurement and network with friends and colleagues.

Grahame Steed, Managing Editor of GO magazine, said he was delighted by the response to the GO Awards – now in their eighth year – and looked forward to honouring the achievements of those dedicated to delivering better-quality services and greater value for money for the taxpayer.

He added: “The national GO Awards event is now firmly established as one of the most important in public procurement, and we are delighted to confirm Nigel Smith as a speaker this year.

“With higher-than-ever levels of support, 2009’s event will be the biggest and best yet. Add to that speakers of the calibre of Mr Smith and Mr O’Higgins and it’s easy to see why everyone is excited about the national GO Awards and N3PD.”

Further information on the N3PD can be found at www.n3pd.com