KEOLISAMEY DOCKLANDS
Pickett ’ s partnerships extend beyond London . The joint venture between Keolis and Amey expanded in 2017 , landing the contract for the Manchester Metrolink , a light rail network that is the largest of its kind in the UK . Procurement played a central role in the project , but it was largely invisible - and that was by design .
“ We began by providing numbers and what we can achieve with suppliers , but procurement ’ s real role in the launch of this service was in the realisation . Our job was to ensure that day one looked no different to the previous day . So when the new franchise started on 1 April this year , nobody noticed . The suppliers delivered on time , the network didn ’ t stop , and that was our real achievement . The purpose of my role is to make sure that everything works and I ’ m not noticeable . It ’ s similar to HR : why should anyone notice if everything runs nice and smooth ? So well done to us .”
When KeolisAmey Docklands was awarded the ISO 55001 asset management certificate , “ we were very proud of it ”, Pickett says . “ And I ' m particularly proud of the fact that to get this certificate , we as a procurement function didn ' t need to do anything extra .”
Pickett hopes to remain quietly exceeding expectations and out of the limelight in the coming year , when commuters begin returning to work and cities reopen to tourists . “ I think in 2022 , we will be back to business as usual . And I will do all my standard efficiencies projects , and we have taken over maintenance of the Lewisham extension - seven stations in south London . It will be a time to achieve efficiencies . Nothing is certain , but this is the plan .”
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