Hello, my name is Jacqui Rock and I am the Defence Infrastructure Organisation's (DIO) Commercial Director. I wanted to give you a quick run-down of the DIO Commercial Strategy which is the focus of a speech I recently delivered at the Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) Conference , the UK’s leading annual defence procurement and supply chain event.
First, a bit about me. I joined the DIO three months ago following a 30-year career in investment banking, where I had a diverse career, with the last 15 years being in Chief Procurement Officer roles. Moving to the public sector, the Civil Service and the Ministry of Defence was therefore quite a big change from a cultural perspective, however delivering best in class commercial and procurement capability remains the same regardless of public or private sector.
![Jacqui Rock, DIO Commercial Director [Crown Copyright, MOD 2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/03/Rock-bio.jpg)
A key priority in this role is delivering against our new Commercial Strategy both internally and externally.
You might be wondering what the Commercial Strategy actually is. In short, it’s setting out DIO’s vision for future ways of working with suppliers in the soft and hard facilities management, construction and property advisory sectors.
![New service family accommodation on Ashdown Estate, Wiltshire [Crown Copyright, MOD 2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/02/IMG_1218-e1519737242324.jpg)
The strategy aims to transform the way DIO does business. It provides information on the types of opportunities available to prospective suppliers and outlines plans to create and sustain a competitive market.
Our vision is central to DIO’s role as a strategic advisor and commissioning agent, supporting our customers and our suppliers by being more transparent, responsive and easier to do business with in support of the delivery of a better estate, a better service, and a better business.
The Commercial Strategy has five guiding principles, which are intended to make us a key client in the infrastructure and facilities management market and support effective work from our suppliers. These are known as the ‘we will’ principles and are: we will be easier to do business with, we will work faster and smarter for our customers, we will have a broader and more diverse supplier base, We Will engage meaningfully with our suppliers and customers, and finally, we will focus on value not just price.
![An RAF F-35B flying over RAF Marham. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/01/45162426-1.jpg)
We’re going to adopt a regionalised approach, through which we will be able to develop a competitive environment based on continuous comparison. This will enable us to ensure effective supplier performance and that the needs of our customers are met. The new ways of working outlined in the strategy offer greater opportunities for our suppliers, and we will actively engage with small and medium enterprises as well as the larger players, looking for innovative ideas.
There’s another benefit too. Making defence easier to work with will increase the number of suppliers – and therefore have a wider and deeper economic impact both nationally and regionally.
It’s an exciting time of transformation for the DIO commercial team and I am privileged to lead a group of highly qualified and experienced professionals who have such a significant impact on the future success of DIO.
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