Government Chief Commercial Officer Appointed

The UK government has appointed Bill Crothers, who led the creation of the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), as its new government chief commercial officer.

According to the Cabinet Office, Crothers will be leading the wider programme of commercial reform across government.

He will be expected to strengthen commercial capability throughout the civil service, improve the management of complex contracts and ensure the government acts as a responsible, intelligent and experienced client.

“Attracting private sector experience of this calibre is vital in helping us not only to manage and negotiate with our biggest suppliers but also to continue to improve the commercial skills of the civil service,” claimed Crothers.

“We have made improvements in contract management and upskilling across government though there is much more to do,” he added.

Continuation Of New Faces In Government

CCS has also handed the role of non-executive chair to former chief operating officer (COO) of PwC’s global assurance business Ed Smith.

It also has a new non-executive director chairing its Audit Committee, Dan Wakefield and Lawrence Christensen CBE to the Crown Representatives team.

According to Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, this programme of “relentless commercial reform” has already saved taxpayer money and will continue to do so.

These latest appointments come as part of a long line of changes to the government line-up in recent weeks.

Earlier this week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) replaced its former CIO with a new director general of technology.

Last week, a deputy government CTO was appointed, along with a variety of new experts roles focused on digital and technology to improve Whitehall’s skills and knowledge in these areas.

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