Closing a Chapter, Celebrating a Journey
After almost 20 years with Local Government Procurement, including nine years as a member of the leadership team, the time has come for me to close this chapter of my professional journey and begin a new one.
I leave LGP with immense gratitude and pride. As one of six foundational employees, I had the privilege of helping open the doors to the public on 28 August 2006 and contributing to the establishment of an organisation that has become a trusted procurement and business partner to councils across New South Wales.
In those early days, we were driven by a shared vision: to help councils achieve better outcomes through collaboration, innovation and the collective strength of local government. Few of us could have imagined the scale of what would be achieved over the following two decades.
As one of LGP's inaugural procurement managers, I helped establish many of the panel contracts that continue to deliver value today, while building strong relationships with councils, suppliers and industry partners that remain central to LGP's success. One successful partnership was saying yes to VendorPanel to manage our heavy and small plant panel contracts.
Looking back, I am proud to have contributed to significant milestones in LGP's history, from supporting councils through the Global Financial Crisis to being part of the executive team that enabled LGP to transition seamlessly to a fully remote workforce during COVID-19. I was also privileged to lead the group that negotiated the ten-year local government agreement with Microsoft, an innovative first for our sector that demonstrated the value of strategic partnerships and collective procurement.
One of my greatest passions has been building capability across local government. Whether delivering procurement awareness training, facilitating workshops, mentoring emerging professionals or providing strategic advice to executives and leaders, I have valued every opportunity to contribute to the growth and professionalism of procurement within the sector.
Mentorship has been a defining part of that journey. I have been fortunate to learn from generous leaders, colleagues and industry professionals who invested their time, shared their knowledge and challenged me to think differently. In turn, I have tried to pay that investment forward by supporting emerging professionals, mentoring future leaders and creating opportunities for others to build confidence, capability and experience
My leadership philosophy has always been grounded in service. I have never seen leadership as being about position or authority, but about enabling others to succeed.
Whether leading teams, supporting colleagues, partnering with councils or working with suppliers, I have sought to create an environment where people feel trusted, valued and empowered to contribute their best. If there is one aspect of my leadership legacy that I hope endures, it is the belief that success is strongest when it is shared.
Another highlight has been helping create and grow the NSW Local Government Procurement Conference. What began as a vision to provide a dedicated procurement forum for councils has become an important annual event where procurement professionals come together to learn, share experiences, build connections and celebrate achievements.
As I leave LGP, I do so with confidence in its future and gratitude for the relationships that have enriched my career. To the councils, suppliers, colleagues, board members and industry partners who have shared this journey with me, thank you for your trust, support and friendship.
Organisations evolve, contracts change and careers take new directions, but the relationships we build endure. Looking back over the past 20 years, it is the people I will remember most: colleagues who became friends, council officers who became trusted partners, suppliers who shared our commitment to delivering value, and the many individuals whose paths have crossed mine along the way.
To future LGP employees, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities this organisation provides. The contracts, systems and services are important, but it is the people, relationships and shared purpose that make LGP special. Be curious, support one another, invest in relationships and never lose sight of the value LGP creates for councils and their communities. The organisation you see today has been built through the dedication, expertise and commitment of many people over many years. You now have the opportunity to shape its next chapter.
I look forward to reconnecting with many of you at the LGP Conference Dinner in October as I return as a proud member of the LGP alumni community.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. It has been an honour to be part of the LGP legacy from the very beginning.
Margret Szanto
Director, Strategic Procurement Solutions
Local Government Procurement