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FCO Circular No. 280/89
Date: 30 August 1989
For Information: All Staff
THE DIRECTORATE OF PURCHASING
1. In late August the Directorate of Purchasing moved from Finance Department to be brigaded with Management Review Staff. Michael Gower, the Director of Purchasing, continues to work direct to me. The change reflects the close relationship between the purchasing function and other value
An amendment to for money initiatives which lie with MRS.
the Office Directory will issue in due course.
2. The Directorate's responsibilities cover all the Diplomatic Wing. They continue to be:
(a) to advise and where appropriate negotiate on all contracts and purchases worth over £250,000;
(b)
(c)
to coordinate and promulgate 'best practice' in purchasing and contracting;
to act as a focal point for all contact between the FCO and the Central Unit on Purchasing in the Treasury (to whom the FCO makes regular returns).
In addition the Directorate will henceforth act as a central clearing house on the hiring of consultants - another function on which we are obliged to keep central records.
3. It is now two years since Michael Gower joined us on contract from Shell. Earlier this year Alan Green returned Since as his Deputy from a year's attachment to Rank Xerox. 1987, our record on purchasing has steadily improved; this year's Progress Report for the Prime Minister is likely to show savings of about 9% on a spend of £129 million in the financial year 1988/89 - much better than the target of 3.3% we set ourselves in late 1987.
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