Based in Andover in Hampshire, Rookwood School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school serving pupils aged between 3 and 16 years of age. With an average class size of 14 they have a roll of more than 330 pupils.
The Background
Having worked with the Bursar, Jonathan Frost, in a previous life as a High Street bank Corporate Relationship Director, Rookwood was one of the first schools that Minerva worked with. Since the inception of the contract Minerva has reviewed seven categories of spend including utilities, stationery, IT consumables, printing and professional services (CRB checks).
We are now in the position where the school see Minerva as their outsourced procurement service. The Bursar calls on us in varying circumstances including, but not limited to, when contracts fall due for renewal, when a supplier is offering poor service or product quality or simply when he feels a spend category hasn’t been reviewed for some time. In his own words he says “Your work makes me look good” when it comes to presenting the successful reductions in cost to the Governors.
The Results
An average saving of 23% across numerous gas and electricity contracts resulting in annual savings in excess of £11,000.
The spend category of IT consumables (ink jet cartridges, photocopier toners) requires constant review as the suppliers offering best value change on a regular basis. In this instance we achieved savings of 26.5%.
Like all schools Rookwood need to conduct regular CRB checks. By moving them to a new service provider we were able to give Rookwood online access, much faster response times, notification when their balance needed topping up (the previous supplier just froze the account) and a saving of nearly 40%!
Customer Feedback
“Minerva Procurement Consultancy was commissioned by Rookwood School Trust Ltd to conduct a review and audit of the Schools procurement procedures, suppliers and pricing structure. Our assigned consultant had worked as a Relationship Director, with a high street bank, with an industry focus on the independent school sector and therefore had a wealth and depth of knowledge of our requirements.
From the outset it was evident that Minerva’s determined approach would root out any problems and ensure the School was achieving value for money in all key procurement areas. Consultants spent time on site with staff, gathered the relevant information and took it away for detailed analysis. This provided the benchmark from which options could be scrutinised.
The completed analysis was produced in a detailed, clear and concise report showing the current state, what options had been considered and recommendations. The process has not only identified immediate savings, amounting to £000’s but has shown areas within the procurement process for improvement.
Minerva Procurement Consultancy was thorough, detailed and analytical in their approach whilst not being intrusive. Their research was comprehensive and no stone was left unturned in looking for more economical alternatives. At the same time they considered other factors, such as current relationships with suppliers in making recommendations. They were happy to look at all expenditure lines from utilities to vehicle servicing to laundry.
I would have no hesitation in using Minerva again, for any audit, small or large, and would recommend their service to anyone. “
Jonathan Frost, Bursar, Rookwood School Trust Limited October 2010
