News

The South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) celebrated their five year anniversary with their Committee Partners, and Low Carbon Exchange. Low Carbon Exchange generously hosted the SWPA team with a celebration to mark the occasion, as SWPA reached their fifth official year of being in business, as LHC Procurement Group’s (LHCPG) South West hub.

The SWPA team also took the opportunity to hold one of their quarterly committee meetings during the celebration as well, kicking of the new year on a positive note. Included in the meeting was a presentation from Low Carbon Exchange’s Simon Spencer, who discussed social value, local supply chains and their Retrofit Training Academy.

SWPA and the Committee Partners also enjoyed a tour of the Retrofit Training Academy. Low Carbon Exchange and the Retrofit Training Academy are based in Weston-Super-Mare, which provided a great central point for the meeting in the South West.

All of SWPA’s Committee Partners attended and joined in on informative and useful discussions pertaining to the Community Benefit Fund, new Frameworks, further innovative solutions and regional opportunities in the South West.

Amongst the Committee Partners was Chair Ed Taylor from Gloucester NHS and Vice Chair Andy Mead from Wiltshire Council. David Carpenter from Somerset Council, Jonathan Quinn from Cornwall Housing, Max Scrymgeour from Magna Housing, Nick Fisher from BCP Council, Darren Holloway from Selwood Housing and Melanie Walsh from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service also joined as committee partners.

The day was a huge success, not only did SWPA enjoy celebrating their success in the South West, but they were able to understand the importance of the Retrofit Academy, and the need for regional and green upskilling. The committee members, supported by the chair and vice chair, were greatly useful in contributing to SWPA’s aims and precedencies for 2025, and beyond, with many exciting and promising future projects planned.