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Organisational excellence rewarded at the National Procurement Awards 2020

Companies from both the public and the private sectors rose up to meet the challenges of an extraordinary year

Broadcaster and journalist Richard Curran, this year’s MC.
Wed Apr 28 2021 - 13:00

The disruption to global supply chains caused by the pandemic is likely to continue at least into the medium term. Fortunately, the procurement sector has demonstrated that it is more than capable of meeting those challenges head on, and has shown a remarkable capacity for nimble transformation. All of which was acknowledged and celebrated at the National Procurement Awards, 2020.

The winners were announced to a live digital audience in a virtual ceremony held on Wednesday, December 16th. The event was presided over by the broadcaster and journalist Richard Curran, while the judging panel was orchestrated by Francis Kehoe, associate director at KPMG, who took on the role of judging co-ordinator.

There were 15 categories for which more than 45 individuals and companies were shortlisted. And one of the names that kept cropping up in that list was Perrigo. Ken Foley, their senior vice president, said, “Having 6 projects shortlisted, being placed 3rd for Overall Best Procurement Team Award and winning the Covid Response Award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the team. And I am delighted to see our team being recognised and awarded today.

“Perrigo have had a presence in Ireland since 2013. In 2016, we centralised global sourcing in Dublin and last year we added our Supply Chain Centre of Excellence. I am proud to be surrounded by a team of talented professionals who are leading many transformative initiatives.”

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Another of the 2020 winners was the National Waste Collection Permit Office. Leo Duffy, their programme manager, said, “As part of Offaly County Council, the National Waste Collection Permit Office is delighted and honoured to be awarded Best Green Procurement Project of the Year at the National Procurement Awards 2020.

“The ‘circular economy’ and the promotion of environmental and social awareness is an integral part of the role of local authorities. We are mindful of the role we all can play in mitigating the causes of climate change and using positive impacts to promote more sustainable lifestyles.”

While the Procurement Leader Award was presented to Philip Gurnett, director and head of sourcing education at the Education Procurement Service, who said, “I am delighted and humbled to receive the national Procurement leader of the year award 2020. I have thoroughly enjoyed working on Education’s strategy and the development of the national procurement model. I have met and worked with so many talented and committed professionals in the public service and it has been a great privilege to lead an amazing dynamic team of professionals in EPS. And I am looking forward to next year and the new exciting challenges we will face.”

As ever, the Awards was only made possible thanks to the generous support of its headline sponsor, Verizon.

Looking ahead, the Awards is about to launch again for another important year. And with the 2021 event comes a new sponsor, BT Sourced. Cyril Pourrat, chief procurement officer at BT Sourced, said, “We’re delighted to join the National Procurement Awards 2021. This year, more than ever, has reinforced the absolutely critical role procurement plays within our organisations. It’s great to have the chance to come together to celebrate the most impressive and transformative projects and the people behind them. Well done to everyone who took part in 2020 and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the 2021 awards later in the year.”

This year’s judging panel was made up of the following:

  • Francis Kehoe, associate director, KPMG (judging co-ordinator)
  • Ingrid De Doncker, CEO, IDDEA
  • Dr. Colum Foley, assistant professor of management, DCU Business School
  • Paul Higgins, global indirect procurement manager, PepsiCo
  • Dominic Kelly, global manager, Strategic Operations Services Procurement & Supplier Management at Amazon Web Services
  • Turlough Kieran, director of procurement & buying, University College Dublin
  • Eavan O Halloran, director, Dunnes Stores
  • Stephen Ryan, manager advisory services, EY
  • Tonia Spollen-Behrens, senior market adviser, Public Sector Procurement & IFI's, Enterprise Ireland
  • Anne Stewart, head of procurement category strategy, Ervia

[ Find out more about the National Procurement Awards ]