BlueLight Commercial team growing rapidly as key appointments made

BlueLight Commercial, the new national police commercial support organisation, has appointed Stuart Jose (left) as its first Regional Commercial Director. Mr Jose, previously Head of Regional Procurement in the South West of England and also chair of the National Police Procurement Executive, started his new job on 22 June.

Drawing on his expertise and contacts, Mr Jose will continue to work closely with forces in the South West while also advising police forces right across England and Wales on how they can maximise value for money in the People and Professional Services ‘pillar’ – things like recruitment, training, and financial services.

He said, “In my role as Regional Commercial Director I will ensure that we develop innovative and challenging commercial strategies for People and Professional Services. Working with, and influencing, key stakeholders from across policing we’ll ensure that we deliver value for money and meet forces’ business needs, whilst at all times acting as an ambassador for commercial excellence.

“My aspiration for BlueLight Commercial is that we quickly become the trusted partner for policing, and other blue light services, through demonstrating the value that we add by delivering further improved value for money, across a wide range of commercial activity.”

Mr Jose, who as Senior Responsible Officer for the Collaborative Law Enforcement Procurement Programme helped identify £100m of potential savings, added, “It is an exciting time for police procurement as we look to build on the good work that has been delivered, and I look forward to delivering further efficiencies, enabling our Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to continue to invest in providing excellent policing services to the public.”

In time, BlueLight Commercial will have seven Regional Commercial Directors working under Chief Executive Officer Lianne Deeming, who took up her role in May.

Mrs Deeming said, “It is great to have Stuart join our team. He has extensive experience and knowledge in policing in addition to a successful track record of delivering value and significant savings in the supply chain while also ensuring forces’ needs are met.

“I am delighted to say that today, we begin an external recruiting campaign for a further six roles in BlueLight Commercial for Regional Commercial Directors and Commercial Specialists across a range of different categories. Our aim remains to establish an agile, regionally-based structure with category expertise.”

For more information on the roles currently available with BlueLight Commercial, visit this dedicated recruitment microsite.