Scotland Excel Annual Conference 2026 explores public service reform

Council procurement leaders from across Scotland came together at the Scotland Excel Annual Conference 2026 to explore public service reform, collaboration and innovation, and the important role procurement can play in delivering better outcomes for communities.

The conference provided an opportunity for delegates to hear from national leaders, share experiences and discuss how organisations can respond to the challenges facing public services while continuing to deliver value for residents.

The event opened with a keynote address from the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, Ivan McKee MSP, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving reform across Scotland's public sector. Addressing delegates, he said: "Public services are central to this administration's agenda, and Scotland Excel demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together."

Welcoming delegates to the conference, Scotland Excel Chief Executive Julie Welsh reflected on the importance of partnership working in addressing increasingly complex challenges facing public services.

She said: "At its heart, public service is about people. It's about working together to solve complex challenges, making the best use of the resources available to us, and delivering meaningful outcomes for citizens and communities across Scotland. While the challenges we face are significant, there is also a real opportunity. An opportunity to think differently, to strengthen partnerships, to learn from one another and to explore new ways of working that can help us meet future demands."

Throughout the day, speakers shared a range of perspectives on public service reform, service transformation, social care commissioning and commercial innovation.

Greg Colgan, Chief Executive of Dundee City Council, outlined the council's ambitious transformation programme, focusing on service redesign, digital transformation, workforce modernisation, property rationalisation and financial sustainability.

Delegates also heard from Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive of the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS), who explored how public service reform principles can be applied to the funding of social care and support services, highlighting the importance of partnership working and sustainable approaches to delivering outcomes for communities.

Scotland Excel's Strategic Commissioning Manager, Jennifer McKerrall, provided an update on the organisation's Social Care Future Options Project, while Angus Bodie, Market Director at AMEY Scotland, shared lessons from public service reform programmes across the wider UK.

The afternoon programme focused on practical examples and interactive discussion, encouraging delegates to explore new approaches to procurement and public service delivery.

Scotland Excel's Director of Strategic Procurement and Commissioning, Hugh Carr, outlined the organisation's strategic priorities and the importance of improving customer experience through collaboration and innovation. He said: "Improving customer service is at the heart of our work. By embracing change and working in partnership, we can address the challenges ahead and deliver better outcomes for our members and communities."

Conference case studies included a presentation from Mel MacKenzie, Strategic Procurement Manager at Aberdeen City Council, on commercialisation and how councils can use place, infrastructure and data to create public value while helping to reduce financial pressures.

Delegates also heard from Scotland Excel Strategic Procurement Manager Laura Muir, who discussed approaches to food sourcing that support quality, sustainability and resilient supply chains, sharing the important message that ‘Good Food Nation ambitions will only be delivered through sustainable and resilient supply chains.’