An Interview With...

🌟 Spotlight On… Andy H

Deputy Head of Operational Procurement & Category Manager
(a.k.a. NEUPC’s go-to guy for Estates, eProcurement, and a whole lot more!)

 🧭 What’s your role at NEUPC and how long have you been here?
I look after all things Estates, eProcurement, and systems — plus a few extra bits and pieces! I’ve been at NEUPC for 10 years now, after 15 years at the University of Huddersfield. You could say procurement is in my DNA by this point.

 😄 What do you enjoy most about your job?
Definitely the challenge of finding new ways to save our members money — especially when it means exploring areas that haven’t been tapped into before. There’s always something new to solve, and I like that.

 🏆 What’s been your proudest moment or biggest achievement so far?
Passing CIPS was a huge relief (as anyone who’s done it will understand!). But I’d say my proudest moments were being part of two different teams that were Highly Commended at the GO Awards — and being invited to sit on a Q&A panel at a national conference to talk about the new Procurement Act. That was a real honour.

📅 What does a typical day look like for you?
A good mix of the planned and the unpredictable! I usually start by tackling emails and calls, then it’s on to the frameworks and tenders I lead. Over the past year, a lot of my time’s also been spent working with other consortia on system changes — like moving to the new contracts database. And of course, helping out colleagues wherever I can.

🎖 What’s one thing your colleagues might not know about you?
I’ve had a few unexpected hobbies over the years — I started out as a church organist when I was at school, and more recently I won a bronze medal in the triple jump at the national championships for my age group. Not the most obvious pairing, but I like to keep things interesting!

💭 If you weren’t in this role, what would your dream job be?
Probably something hands-on — a practical trade where I can fix things and see the results. I like that sense of tangible progress.

🍽 If you could have dinner with any historical or famous figure, who would it be and why?
Toss-up between:
🗣 Brian Blessed – I read his autobiography and honestly, the man’s done everything. He’s wild in the best way.
🎭 Robin Williams – such a talented, generous spirit. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say a bad word about him.

🧠 Go-to productivity hack or way to stay organised?
Nothing too fancy — I just live by my calendar! I use my diary and reminders to block out time and make sure I stay on top of priorities. Structure is key (even if the day doesn't always go to plan!