SA Productivity Commission review of Government Procurement: recommendations that affect our industry

Industry Advocate, Office of the Industry Advocate

In 2013 South Australia was the first State to establish an Industry Advocate with the role to provide independent advice to the Government on how government expenditure could be used to maximise the economic benefit to the State.

Since that time there has been overwhelming support from business and industry groups. They have seen the success local businesses have had in getting a fair share of State Government expenditure. This provides a huge boost for businesses and the community through the flow-on benefits of jobs and additional economic activity.

The success of the role has also been recognised at local and national level with the State government enacting the Industry Advocate Act in January 2018.

Prior to the role of Industry Advocate Ian’s career achievements have been diverse – as the previous Chief Executive for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA and also Chief Executive of the former Department of Planning and Local Government (DPLG) plus a range of other senior positions in the State Government.

Executive Director Procurement at South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF)

MBA qualified procurement expert with over twenty years’ experience including leading transformational change, e-procurement business implementation, setting up shared services and P2P operations, outsourcing, supply chain re-engineering and redesigning procurement policy and process. High energy and persuasive with strong interpersonal and team building skills who can switch between strategic and ‘hands on’ seamlessly. A seasoned presenter at International conferences who can inspire and engage audiences about procurement and its potential for adding value to an organisation’s commercial and corporate objectives.