The Public Sector Working Group is made up of members of the MCA who help public sector organisations to become more effective and more efficient by improving how they operate, reducing costs and changing the way they do their business.
Small, medium and large firms are all engaged by government, both at a national and local level, to support projects which require people with expertise in digital technology, supply chain, logistics, procurement and in delivering major government projects. The consulting sector provides multi-disciplinary capabilities and senior experience very quickly to support government and has helped deal with complex negotiations around data, infrastructure and procurement at pace.
All MCA member firms used by government have been procured through competitively tendered Crown Commercial Service frameworks which evaluate bidding firms against quality and cost criteria. As part of these contracts, consultancy firms are required to upskill civil servants and transfer knowledge to increase capability for the future.
The group meets regularly to discuss the key issues affecting the public sector that impact the consulting sector and to assist with messaging for press releases. The group has recently been involved in helping develop the Government Playbook which provides guidance on when consultants can add the most value and how government can be a more effective client of consultants to ensure excellent results for society are delivered.
The group meets regularly to discuss the key issues affecting the public sector and how they relate to consulting and to assist with media messaging. Guest speakers from across the public sector, including from Cabinet Office, the Crown Commercial Service, the Ministry of Defence, the NHS, and more are regularly invited to give updates on their respective areas.
The MCA’s role is to establish the UK consulting sector as critical to the UK economy and society. Our role is to promote greater public and business understanding of the range and depth of consulting and to enhance public trust in consulting through Consulting Excellence.
The Co-Chairs of the Working Group are Sean Hanson from IMPOWER and Mike Harrington from PwC.
The full objectives of the Public Sector Working Group are:
- Supporting the MCA as the voice of the industry and providing feedback and guidance on external MCA communications relating to public sector consulting, including to the media and government.
- Providing insight and commentary on public sector consulting in support of MCA publications such as the Annual Industry Report.
- Sharing best practice and discussing common challenges in public sector consulting, including highlighting issues that may require raising with government.
- Promoting participation in public sector- and government-related MCA activity among firms, including for the MCA Awards.
- Contributing ideas and suggestions to the MCA’s regular calendar of events relating to public sector consulting, including topics and potential speakers