executives

Keith joined the North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOECPC) as Commercial Director in October 2011 and was appointed to the post of Managing Director in November 2012. His role within NOE CPC is to drive the organisation’s strategy by ensuring customers can gain clear and demonstrable value and cash releasing savings from a collaborative commercial relationship with NOE CPC. As Managing Director, Keith has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of NOE CPC and implementation of the organisation’s three-year Business Plan

Prior to joining the NOE CPC, Keith worked in the IT Services Sector for 14 years. His career has covered a wide spectrum of roles including procurement, sales, marketing and operations within this sector. In the last 3 years Keith held the post of Commercial Director, responsible for commercial and contract management.

Keith has a proven track record of turning around businesses, departments and cross-functional teams. As Service Director he has led cross-functional teams to deliver continual improvement, contract extensions, contract management, profit improvement, service quality and recovery programmes. He has re-negotiated underperforming contracts delivering 20% improvement in profitability, resulting in growth and contract extensions in term and scope.

Richard is Head of Procurement for Essex Partnership, a Community & Mental Health Trust.

Prior to this he was Head of Procurement at Mid Essex Hospitals, having previously held roles in the Ambulance Service, Primary Care, and in a Collaborative Procurement Hub.

Before moving to the public sector Richard worked in the manufacturing industry managing the procurement, supply chain, and production planning for a manufacturer of scientific equipment. He joined the HCSA in 2014 as the regional representative for the East of England before taking up the role of Deputy Chief Officer in 2021.

Outside of work Richard is involved with charitable work and is actively involved in several sports clubs.

Clara has more than 10 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across private and NHS multi-million healthcare organisations and has led major transformation programmes and strategies re-modelling procurement and functionality.

She has a passion for supporting talent and identifying the next generation of leaders within the procurement and supply chain community and is committed to driving change and improving equality around the issues women continue to face within the modern commercial world.

Alan is an experienced and qualified procurement professional with over 36 years of NHS experience. He began his procurement life at Southampton and Southwest Hampshire Health Authority as a buyer in 1986, eventually progressing to a Purchasing Supervisor.

In 1996 he moved into the role of Customer Care Manager for NHS Supplies, where he remained until 1999 before taking an opportunity to move and taking up a post at University Hospitals Southampton (UHS) as Head of Procurement.

In February 2004 he was appointed to his final role in the NHS as Director of Procurement and Commercial Services for NHS South of England Procurement Services (SoEPS), formerly Solent Supplies Team, a collaborative procurement organisation based in Hampshire serving the local population including Surrey, Sussex and the Isle of Wight retiring from the NHS in August 2021 to take up a consultancy role with HCSA as part of the Business Support Team.

Up until August 2021 he was also involved on a national basis supporting NHSI and NHS Supply Chain as HCSA Chief Officer and several CCGs including NHS England in addition to the extensive experience he has gained with organisations in Hampshire and the surrounding areas. Alan is now founder and owner of a vibrant new consultancy called ALS Business Support Ltd and is delivering services to clients regarding leadership and Business support.

Cathy is an experienced and qualified procurement professional with over 40 years of NHS experience. She has a passion for delivering L&D and supporting future leaders and colleagues and has always been involved with HCSA as either a regional or specialist L&D rep and a previous Taskforce trainer.

Cathy is Deputy Director of Procurement for Birmingham and Solihull Procurement Collaborative (BSOL PC) since July 2019 and looking to retire in March 2024 to pursue her passion for Learning & Development with HCSA.

BSOL PC is responsible for the procurement of the three Acute hospitals in Birmingham together with Birmingham Community Healthcare and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health.

Prior to working at BSOL PC she was Head of Procurement at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, also working at national, regional and Trust level.

Bruce is an experienced communications professional specialising in digital marketing and social media.

He has worked in the public and private sector and with industries including healthcare, hospitality, technology, financial and retail.

Previously he was a journalist and editor covering the public and private sector at organisations including Mirror Group Newspapers, Euromoney and Reed Business Information.

Mel in an experienced business administrator. She has worked across several sectors ranging from schools, local government, airlines, and the construction industry. 

Mel joined the HCSA in December 2022 following a spell with the NHS connected to the Covid Vaccination programme.

Jen has joined us to support all things Events.

Jen has worked in the public, private and charity sector over the last 12 years in Events and Communications. 

Jen previously worked with North-West Procurement Development pre-covid and is looking forward to supporting the HCSA with the events of the future

Sue is an experienced NHS professional with over 30 years procurement and supply chain experience. Sue started in her NHS journey in a Theatre Sterile Services department before moving into procurement.

Sue’s experience includes transforming and developing procurement teams to meet the changing needs of public sector procurement, including collaboration across multiple organisations.

Sue enjoys coaching and mentoring and as well as leading a busy Procurement Department was also a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian with her last NHS Trust before taking early retirement in 2023.

Since taking early retirement Sue has joined the HCSA Business Support Team to help others navigate their procurement journey as the HCSA had done for her in her early years.