Nigel Smith to leave OGC

His departure will come at the end of a three year contract, which began in 2007. He intends to return to the private sector. Smith led the OGC's effort to reform procurement in Whitehall. These included changes to procurement capability, on which it published a series of Procurement Capability Reviews of government departments, and in conjunction with the Treasury, the setting up of the Major Projects Review Group. In addition, Smith has overseen reforms of the procurement of goods and services, including setting up an e-auction Centre of Excellence, and a Pre-Qualification Tool designed to reduce risk and increase the chances of success for complex programmes. "It has been a privilege to lead OGC over the last three years and to have served as a permanent secretary on the Treasury Board," said Smith. "I am immensely proud of the progress made by the OGC team working with departments in putting procurement, estates management and commercial capability on the top table of government. "It is a tremendous foundation on which to build in supporting the Efficiency and Reform Group agenda." Last week the OGC was transferred from HM Treasury to the Cabinet Office. Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said Smith had been an "excellent leader" and had led the OGC in a strong position as it seeks greater savings. Speaking at the SmartGov Live conference and exhibition earlier in June, Smith predicted that government would eventually be mandated to use interoperable shared services.