The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has appointed a new chief executive to lead its transformation agenda.

It announced that Nigel Smith, president of Invensys Rail Systems, will take on the role.

Smith replaces John Oughton, who stepped down at the end of March to allow his successor a full term in office to implement the Transforming Government Procurement report.

Peter Fanning, former deputy chief executive of the OGC, has been acting chief executive in the interim.

John Healey, financial secretary to the Treasury, said: "Nigel has a wealth of commercial and procurement experience and a proven track record leading successful national and global businesses. He will play an essential role driving up standards in government procurement."

As head of the OGC, Smith's priorities will be to:

• Set out a clear procurement framework for all government departments, and carry out capability reviews to monitor performance against that framework
• Lead the relationship with key suppliers, to ensure consistent management of them across a range of projects and sectors
• Raise the skills and status of the Government Procurement Service
• Work with the Treasury in scrutinising and supporting the government's largest and most complex procurement projects
• Drive through more government-wide procurement deals through a rigorous strategy of single sourcing
• Develop and lead a strategy to maximise the effective use of the government's property estate

As president of Invensys Rail Systems, Smith managed the strategic direction and business performance of its global rail industry activities. He was previously chief executive of holding company Charter and has also worked in senior management in GEC-Marconi and Dowty Aerospace.

He will join the OGC as a civil servant on 3 September 2007, on a three-year contract, at permanent secretary level.

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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