The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) has appointed renowned expert Lesley Anderson as its permanent head.

Now she will drive the development of the SPA, which has £1.1billion of contracts under management and is also delivering a benefits scheme worth millions of pounds for local communities.

Lesley, who has 27 years in the public and private procurement sector and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, said: "Our role in supporting the delivery of projects for public sector organisations is crucial in the growth of communities.

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"The projects procured through our solutions offer access to facilities and provides opportunities for children and adults of all ages to thrive within their improved surroundings.

"SPA supports councils, housing associations, blue light services, the NHS, further and higher education providers and many other public bodies to build, maintain and refurbish vital social housing and public buildings.

"Across the supply chain that means hundreds of Scottish SMEs get the chance to bid for and win lucrative work that creates jobs and employment across the country.

"But the most rewarding part is that, as a proud not for profit organisation, we also put our surpluses back into the communities where we operate, through our innovative Community Benefit Fund, which enriches and improves thousands of lives.

"It makes me incredibly proud to take up this role and to further this commitment to Scottish communities, our partners and to lead a team of people who consistently impress me."