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News13 October 2020

Clarion Housing Group the first housing association to receives gold award for excellence in procurement

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) recognises Clarion’s effectiveness and efficiency in procurement.

Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest affordable housing provider, is the first UK housing association to be given a Gold level Procurement Excellence Programme (PEP) award by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), for recognised levels of effectiveness and efficiency within the organisation’s major business functions.

Clarion Housing Group, which comprises a social landlord with 125,000 properties nationwide, has contracts with a variety of national and local suppliers to acquire vital services for its residents.

Clarion’s procurement team is recognised as an integral part of the Group, and one that is fully embedded within the organisation, to manage the standard and performance of its procurement activity, and to support key functions.

Globally recognised

After the completion of the merger between Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing, the newly formed Clarion Housing Group underwent a stringent 18 months of assessment by CIPS.

The results showed Clarion had demonstrated they had well-structured and embedded procurement policies and procedures throughout the organisation.

The Procurement Excellence Programme (PEP) is a globally recognised award, which is presented to organisations that demonstrate excellence in their procurement and supply chain activities. The award drives regular improvement, building a competitive edge and highlighting procurement’s role as a fundamental part of an organisation’s business and strategy.

“Our top priority as a social landlord is to ensure our teams have the tools to manage a truly transparent process.”

Kirsty Bower, head of procurement at Clarion

Kirsty Bower, head of procurement at Clarion, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply for the implementation of our policies. Achieving the impressive Gold Award is a true testament to the hard work the team has done to improve and facilitate our policies all while merging two large organisations to form Clarion Housing Group.

“Our top priority as a social landlord is to ensure our teams have the tools to manage a truly transparent process, exercise greater control over spend, and identify new supply chains to help us deliver a quality service to residents.”

A ‘major accomplishment’

Alan Martin, head of procurement excellence at CIPS said: "As the first housing association to attain the Gold Award in CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme Advanced, Clarion has demonstrated the commitment required to grow the strategic influence, capacity and profile of its procurement function through delivering against clearly defined objectives.

“This is a major accomplishment for any organisation which recognises the value that its procurement function plays in enhancing the delivery of its business departments.”

Find our more information about CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme.