Lisa Cowpe

I am an experienced procurement and contracts professional with a strong track record of delivering successful outcomes in large, complex public sector organisations. With expertise in public sector purchasing legislation and a deep understanding of the social, economic, legislative, technological, political environment in which the public sector operates, I have consistently driven efficiency and cost-saving initiatives across multiple sectors, including NHS, Blue Light, and local government.

I have significant experience in category management, successfully rationalising supplier bases and managing high-value contracts across digital and ICT. My ability to develop and implement effective systems for supplier performance management and measurement has been demonstrated through my work in managing KPIs, SLAs, and contract governance.

As a customer-focused team player with excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, I have built and maintained strong relationships with senior managers, service providers, key stakeholders and suppliers. I have led market engagement events, managed end-to-end procurement processes and drafted commercial strategies and contracts that meet organisational needs while mitigating risks.

In addition to my procurement expertise, I possess strong analytical skills, having conducted spend analysis to identify savings opportunities and utilised frameworks that deliver collaborative outcomes. I am proficient in MS Office and contract management tools and I have led teams effectively, fostering a motivated and positive organisational culture.

I can multi-task and deliver objectives to tight deadlines. I'm reliable, have a positive outlook, actively listen, is open & transparent with colleagues, stakeholders and suppliers providing a good working relationship. I respect and value other peoples views and agree that everyone should have the opportunity to put their ideas forward. I can be flexible and am happy to adapt to change – its a healthy challenge! 

Overall, my experience, skills and proven leadership in managing collaborative frameworks and complex procurement projects make me well-equipped to contribute to your team and drive the success of your public sector initiatives.

2024 – To present      BlueLight Commercial – Commercial Lead ICT

• Pre-Procurement (Discovery) work with 10 x Police Forces in respect of Media Digitisation

o Develop survey to Forces on analogue video footage practices

o Draft Commercial Strategy

o Draft & publish PIN for Market Engagement

o Lead on Market Engagement

• Pre-Procurement (Discovery & scoping) M365 software with Home Office for 43 x Forces

o Aggregate and analyse annual spend (estimated £100 million)

• Leading on contract management, governance & compliance on a selection of Blue Light Commercial ICT frameworks

o Cyber Security Penetration Testing Service (8 x suppliers) monitoring KPI’s

o Identity Access Management Software & Service - MoU Agreement (1 Reseller & 1 x Vendor)

2020 – 2024      Doncaster NHS (Digital Transformation) - Digital Contracts & Purchasing Manager

• Cleansed Contracts Register to make it fit for purpose

• Used Category Management tools such as Kraljic (supply v’s risk) to prioritise critical suppliers

• Spend analysis undertaken to identify patterns and aggregate spend to provide saving opportunities

• Worked with stakeholders to draft Prior Information Notice (PIN)

• Led on market engagement events

• Populated framework documentation with NHS SBS, CCS, GCloudand Health Trust Europe

• Collaborated with local Health Trusts led by SYBICS

• Engaged with supplier to provide Professional Service on Unified Communications (ASIS/TOBE)

• Drafted specification working closely with internal stakeholders such as Head of Digital, Infrastructure Manager, Network Manager GDPR Manager, Cyber Security Manager

• Prepared ITT documents for publishing (Spec, Quality Questions, Finance Schedule & Instructions to Bidders)

• Evaluated bid responses and moderated sessions to gain a consensus

• Classified contracts to aggregate requirements to reduce supply base:

o Telephony /Emergency Bleep / Contact Centre (3 x suppliers reduced to 1 x partner)

o Microsoft products / End User Compute / Server Licensing (7 x suppliers reduced to 1 x partner)

• Future proof contracts by including Exit Management Strategy,introducing break clauses and license ‘true up’, ‘true down’ mechanisms

• Maintained catalogue for IT Hardware

• Contract Management meetings held regularly with critical suppliers to the NHS & Blue Light sector to manage Change Control Notices, SLA, KPI’s, Compliments & Complaints, Sustainability, Future Road Map, etc.

• Used Oracle for the Procure to Pay process – raise purchase orders from requisitions, receipt goods/services. Deal with invoice queries.

• Manage the ICT Site Help Desk for all Hardware & Software required by office and clinical staff

• Manage 2 members of staff (Digital Buyer & Digital Contracts Officer)

2013 – 2020     Doncaster Council - Senior Procure to Pay Officer

• Worked with Strategic Procurement Team:

o Analyse category spend e.g ICT to determine ‘on’ contract and ‘off’ contract spend

o Renewed existing ICT contracts under Procurement Frameworks

o Progressed with Framework Mini Competitions

o Contracts Management, periodic reviews against Key Performance Indicators

• Part of the EPR Project Implementation Team, Procure to Pay workstream to deliver:

o Communication to internal stakeholders & suppliers via newsletters

o Pre, during & post implementation working with internal stakeholders & supplier

o Delivered Procure to Pay Training to Requisitioners & Budget Holders

o Maintained P2P Catalogue with current contracts in ERP - E5 system

o Led Directorate Liaison Meetings to provide problem solving solutions

 2011 – 2013     Doncaster Council - Procure to Pay Officer

• Management of Council & School Purchase Cards

• Delivered Purchase Card Training on reconciliation to cardholder & Budget Holders

• Maintained Purchase Card Policies & Procedures

• Analyzed & reported Dept. compliance of Contract Procedure Rules to Procurement Category Manager

2006 – 2011     Doncaster Council - Senior Creditors Officer

• Administered Construction Industry Scheme

• Delivered training & prepared Policies, Procedures & Training documentation for One World users

1991 – 2006      Doncaster Council – Finance & ICT Assistant

• Admin & Accounts Payable processing

2024 - Government Commercial Function – Procurement Act 2023 Deep Dive Knowledge Drops

2024 - Government Commercial Function – Procurement Act 2023

2024 - CIPS – Ethical Procurement & Supply 2024

2017 - Sheffield Chamber of Commerce – CIPS Level 5

2015 - Sheffield Chamber of Commerce 2015 – CIPS Level 4

2006 - ECDL – Level 1

2005 - Doncaster Council NVQ Customer Service Level 3 / Business Administration - Level 4

1990 - Hatfield High School GCSE x 8 @ Grade C

CIPS Membership until 20/05/25