Consultancy Services

Question 1

How have I procured a consultant?

Answer 1

• Discussed opportunities openly
• Put wheels in motion
• Draft a plan with objectives, timelines, etc
• Create an agreement which is checked with all legal teams

Question 2

How do I manage relationships with consultants?

Answer 2

• Be professional
• Touch base often
• Effective communication
• Reiterate the brief

Question 3

How do you ensure you do not have a conflict with a consultant?

Answer 3

Self-assess on whether I have a personal, financial of commercial conflict

Question 4

What is contained within a memorandum of understanding?

Answer 4

This is not a legal document, but a morally binding one. It is a statement on intent by two mutual parties on resources and commitment

It stated that Groundwork UK would delivery 15 biodiversity improvement projects for us for £10,000 plus VAT each. Payment would be done after each project was identified

Question 5

Limitations of a memorandum of understanding?

Answer 5

Not a legal document

Question 6

How do you manage the relationship with Groundwork UK?

Answer 6

• Be professional
• Touch base often (as this is set up stage)
• Effective communication
• Reiterate the brief

Question 7

How did you agree a fee with MSES to review CarboniCa models?

Answer 7

I suggested when with the CarboniCa team that there should be a system for MSES to be procured to do a CarboniCa review. I assisted in creating a checklist they could follow

The fee was agreed at Morgan Sindall Group

Question 8

How do you organise for the payment of consultants? What is the MSC supplier set up process for consultants? How do you raise a PO?

Answer 8

The supplier set up process is firstly getting the details, which are:
Full name and address of registered office on letter headed paper, this needs to include:

o Bank Details along with address etc
o Letter needs to be signed by a Director, of the company, preferably

This would then be sent to the Procurement Manager who sets them up. I can then raise a requisition on the materials desk which has to be approved by my line manager. This generates a PO which consultants can invoice against.

Question 9

What is the difference between a strategic and advisory consultant?

Answer 9

Strategic consultants are likely to engage companies on their overall approach in line with company strategies whereas an advisory consultant is likely to advise on financial aspects