The United Kingdom’s most esteemed awards for public procurement excellence celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this month as it once again acknowledged and rewarded the outstanding achievements and contributions in the sector at the UK National GO Awards 2022/23.
Organised by procurement experts BiP Solutions, the GO Awards were established to showcase organisations at the forefront of best practices in public procurement across the UK. These awards aim to recognise the accomplishments and successes of individuals and entities involved in delivering public sector services, whether from the public, private, or third sectors.
With the continuous evolution of public sector procurement and its associated supply chain, the UK National GO Awards maintain their crucial role as a benchmark for progress and development in a market worth £300 billion annually.
The 20th anniversary awards ceremony took place on 1st June at voco St John’s Solihull, with supply chain solutions company Wincanton as the evening’s sponsor. London Luton Airport emerged as the big winner of the night. After winning the Social Value Award (Other Organisations), they were honored with the prestigious GO Excellence Award. The airport impressed a panel of esteemed UK procurement figures with their project aimed at supporting the sustainable recovery of the airport, its supply chain, and the local community from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In total, 16 different organisations and individuals received trophies, claiming awards in various categories encompassing social value, infrastructure projects, procurement delivery, digital services, and net zero, among others.
Among the successful organisations were local authorities, government departments and agencies, NHS organisations, universities, buying consortiums, and construction firms from across the UK. Each of these entities demonstrated outstanding contributions in delivering public services.
Grahame Steed, Chair of the GO Awards Judging Panel and Director of Public Policy and Research at BiP Solutions, remarked, “In a year when the standards of the UK National GO Awards were higher than ever, London Luton Airport’s success is all the more remarkable. They have shown vision, audacity, and creativity in their procurement approach, making the recognition they are receiving well-deserved. They have set a new standard for others to emulate, so congratulations to everyone involved.”
“Throughout the past 20 years, amidst recessions, political upheaval, COVID-19, inflation, and Brexit, the GO Awards have consistently been a gauge of the health of this profession. Our current winners are accomplishing things that no one would have anticipated when these awards first began, and this is a tremendous credit to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
The GO Awards will return in the 2023/24 season to acknowledge the triumphs of the procurement sector in Scotland and Wales on 31st October and 8th November, respectively. Details regarding these events and the entry process will be announced soon.
