The PASA Annual Procurement in Practice Awards, named The Nigels in honour of the founder of PASA, Nigel Wardropper, are now open for entries.
The 2023 winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at the region’s most influential procurement event, The 11th Annual PASA Premier ConfeX on 19th October 2023, live at Flemington Racecourse Conference Centre, Melbourne.
Established in 2013 and re-named after Nigel’s sudden passing in 2020, the awards recognise the extraordinary achievements of successful procurement professionals throughout Australasia.
New award categories for 2023
Each year two award categories rotate to reflect current challenges the profession face. This year’s two new award categories are sponsored by GEP – the Procurement Stakeholder Alignment Award, acknowledging the alignment of value delivery with organisational priorities, and the Procurement Value Generation & Tracking Award, which focuses on measuring and reporting value to stakeholders.
The most prestigious award, last year won by Vodafone NZ, is the Most Improved Procurement Team Award and is not sponsored but presented solely in PASA’s name. It recognises teams that have shown significant growth and development in their capabilities, whether through people, process, technology, strategic initiatives, or exceptional leadership.
Competition is keen
The owner of PASA, Nigel’s wife and PASA Managing Director Lesley Wardropper said due to the amazing response for the 2022 awards, the 2023 nomination process had been opened earlier.
Lesley explained that The Nigels were growing in prominence for the procurement profession and focussed on practical improvements and best practice over simple highest standards.
“This annual awards programme is a testament to Nigel’s passion for recognising and applauding practical improvements in the procurement profession, not just the best procurement teams, she said.
“Nigel dedicated his working life to advancing best practice and inspiring others to strive for higher standards and better outcomes. Varying two categories each year makes this a most relevant way to achieve this aim.”
Judges only shortlist
A new Chair for the independent judging panel, Paul Rogers FCIPS, has been appointed to lead a new panel of judges this year, drawn from across the profession and the ANZ region, to further strengthen the independence of the judging in 2023.
The judging panel will only shortlist three entries for each of the three categories, who will each present a ten-minute case study summary of their entry live on stage in the plenary session of the Premier Confex in Melbourne on 18th October. The audience members then vote the actual winners in each category using the conference APP and effectively peer-review the shortlisted entries. The winners are presented with special engraved trophies on Day Two of the conference, 19th October.
Last year’s winners in each category benefitted enormously from their award and most were invited to represent their case study at PASA events this year. The overall winner, Vodafone NZ, has received an invitation to present their winning entry at the PASA COnnect Big Breakfast event in Auckland on 31st August this year.
Lesley urged procurement teams of all sizes from across the region to get their submissions in and highlight their recent achievements both internally and externally. “Our unique format allows for learnings to be shared with everyone and clear play a role in the development of the profession.”
“The extended opening dates this year allow time-pressed buyers extra opportunity to submit their entry on our user-friendly online entry forms which are quick and easy to complete.”
Nominate for a Nigel
Submitting your nomination is quick and easy with pre-set word limits for each element of the submission: Simply go to the Nigels Awards website and fill out a nomination form by the closing date, 8th September 2023.
