The UK’s largest transport operator, FirstGroup, has been awarded the coveted CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply) ‘Standard of Excellence’ accreditation for its procurement and supplier management activity in the UK and becoming the first public transport operator to do so.
Ian Grindlay, FirstGroup’s Procurement and Supplier Management Director, led his team through a thorough assessment programme that reviewed the company’s procurement and supplier management processes, policies and procedures against strict criteria in key areas such as strategy, sustainability, environment, ethics and competitiveness. “I am delighted we have achieved the CIPS Standard of Excellence,” said Mr Grindlay. “It is a positive endorsement of FirstGroup’s commitment to best practice procurement & supplier management.”
He continued: “We are the first public transport operator to have received such accreditation – it’s pleasing to be in a position where we set new standards for the industry.
“The award reflects the passion for improvement of the FirstGroup Procurement & Supplier Management team. They richly deserve the credit that this accolade brings given the incredible amount of hard work and expertise they provide.”
Chris Gallagher, Strategic Development Director of CIPS, said: “FirstGroup has developed an outstanding approach to procurement and now join an elite group of organisations who can boast CIPS accreditation. Knowing their commitment and passion, I have every confidence that FirstGroup’s procurement team will continue to set new standards.
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is the leading body representing the field of procurement and supply chain management and its certification programme is an established benchmark of excellence in organisational procurement competence.