Blogs

Rosie Bates, the South West Procurement Alliance's (SWPA) Client Support Manager celebrates her first year with the South West team! Here is what Rosie had to say about her first year at SWPA and how her previous experience in the South West has helped cement her role within the team...

"I have been working at SWPA for a whole 12 months now. My role is focussed on supporting our clients across the public sector – Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Education, NHS Trusts and Blue Light Services – to access the services they need through our frameworks for their housing, corporate property and building requirements."

"I support clients to identify their requirements and which of our frameworks can then best meet their needs. I then work with them to get their works registered with us, handing seamlessly to the rest of the team to then support with the procurement process and smooth running of the contracts that are put in to place."

"I have previously worked in the public sector in the South West, holding roles in Economic Development at both Devon County Council and Exeter City Council. I have also worked in the education sector, with a focus on education and employer relationships."

"With my experience I have a good understanding of procurement from the client perspective, meaning that I am able to support our clients with finding the most efficient and effective route to market for them. All of my previous roles have had a focus on managing relationships and partnerships which is invaluable to my role at SWPA."

"I had previously worked within the construction sector when at Exeter City Council, and was involved in setting up the Building Greater Exeter initiative, so I was able to bring my knowledge and experience of working in the sector locally to this role. Coupled with my public sector background this has provided me with a good grounding and understanding to take on this role."

"I was most attracted to SWPA though, by the not-for-profit status of the organisation and the commitment to Social Value, through the delivery of the Community Benefit Fund projects and grant funding to clients to support local priorities and communities. I have been lucky enough to undertake my ‘Social Return on Investment’ training with Social Value UK since joining SWPA, giving me a deeper understanding of how I can support our clients to deliver value through their contracts."

"2025 is shaping up to be a busy year with the introduction of the new Procurement Act in February, so there will be a series of events to support our clients with this. We also have our rolling programme of new frameworks that we will be introducing."

"I’m looking forward to getting out and about across the South West and supporting more of our clients with their requirements through our quality procurement solutions."

To contact Rosie, in regards to Client Queries, please use this link.