About Mr. David Smith CB MCIPS

David is the Commercial Director for the Department for Work and Pensions (the biggest Central Department) which is regarded as government's best performing 'procurement' department and he is accountable for its overall external spend of in excess of £4 billion per year.

He has specialised in procurement and commercial matters in the Public Sector for nearly 25 years. Before moving to DWP, he was Head of Procurement for the Inland Revenue and has previously held senior commercial posts in the Home Office and HM Treasury's Central Unit on Procurement (now OGC).

He is a member of the Government Procurement Service Council, the Strategic Stakeholder Forum, HM Treasury's Major Projects Review Group and many other inter-departmental committees. He is also a past member of the CIPS Board of Management and the CIPS Council.

David has supported and worked actively with CIPS in both the UK and overseas to promote procurement excellence particularly in the public sector.

David was presented with the coveted 'Government Opportunities Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Procurement Excellence' in June 2006 and was also made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of Bath (CB) in the Queen's New Year Honours 2009.

David is a well known and respected speaker on commercial strategy, delivery, e-commerce, and outsourcing and acted as Commercial Adviser to the E-Envoy on the 'Government Gateway', to the European Institute for Public Affairs (EIPA) and the Royal Institute for Public Affairs (RIPA).

David has a close working association with the Office for Government Commerce (OGC). He is a member of the Chief Executive's Procurement Advisory Group (CEPAG), the Government Procurement Service Management Board, and various other inter-departmental committees. He is also a member of the CIPS Board of Management.
In the Queen's New Year's Honours List David was made a Commander of the Bath for his civil and charitable work.