Michael Lennox

Government Commercial Function

The Government Commercial Function (GCF) aims to be the best commercial function in the UK. This goal is being achieved by transforming the commercial capability across the Civil Service. GCF includes commercial professionals and colleagues from a range of functional disciplines. The Commercial Directors and their Commercial Directorates deliver the agenda set by their department. The GCF is led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer Gareth Rhys Williams. The GCF has central teams that offer specialist support for departments. These teams are as follows: Complex Transactions Team supports departments with complex procurements, negotiations with suppliers and cross-government disputes. Markets and Suppliers Team provide supplier relationship management and market intelligence to departments. Continuous Improvement Team offers guidance, standards and assurance to improve commercial practice. Commercial Capability Team are developing the commercial capability of colleagues across government. As part of the government's commitment to enhancing commercial expertise across the Civil Service the GCF has built a team of highly skilled and experienced senior commercial professionals. These professionals are aligned to the GCF People Standards for the profession. The Government Commercial Organisation (GCO) has been established as a single employer for senior commercial professionals deployed to departments to lead the most complex and innovative projects. The GCF and GCO are both part of the Civil Service and based in the Cabinet Office.