Purpose

The purpose of the forum is not to discuss in detail commercial or contract terms specifically agreed with current suppliers, nor is it to seek to influence the market price of any commodity or service. However, the forum may discuss terms generically to indicate best practice and understand different approaches or possibilities.

Objective

The forum's objective is to drive the development of collective xCellence through sharing & learning from the practical approach, knowledge and experience retained within the forum membership.

Participation

The forum is open to executives within end-user businesses, which are Global 2000 or equivalent organisations. No consultants or vendors are allowed within the forum unless specifically invited or agreed by the participating members.

Engagement

Member engagements are driven by the forum steering group or by individual requirements of ‘Champion’ members. Non-Member’s may participate within forum activities through direct invitation only.

Membership

The ITPO forum steering group consists of executives from the founding member organisations including:

ABN AMRO * AON * AstraZeneca * BP * DWP

HBOS * Royal Mail Group * Rolls Royce * Zurich.

Organisations may participate in the steering group and assist in directing the ITPO forum activities if they join as an annual member.

A number of organisations have joined the forum and participated in various conferences, focus groups and one to one collaborations via meeting membership. These companies include: 3M, Aviva, BBC, CitiGroup, Centrica, Diageo, MOD, Office of Government Commerce, Johnson & Johnson, Virgin and Unilever.

Discussion & Collaboration Topics

Some of the discussion topics being addressed for the coming year include: Supplier Management, Score-Cards, Innovation, Project Services, Contract Best Practices, Governance, Relationship Management, Asset Management, Asset Leasing v Ownership, Vendor Market Analysis, Programme Performance, Supplier Incentive & Motivation Management, Service Level Agreements, Insource v Outsource, Multi & Single Source Management, Offshore v Near Shore or Best Shore, Internal Structure Models, Retained IT, Risk Management & Benefits Management.

Confidentiality

Member confidentiality is secured through the signing of a mutual non-disclosure agreement at the point of registration and serves to protect the interests of all members. Organisations not currently members of the forum may join a discussion through direct invitation from the discussion ‘Champion’. All participants are required to sign the forum Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).