A long-serving and much-loved team member is preparing to bid farewell to the Scottish Procurement Alliance after nearly a decade of helping shape its success.
Office Manager, Angela Banner, has played a central role in the growth and evolution of The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) since its formation in 2016, becoming a trusted presence and a familiar face at the heart of the team.
Joining SPA in its earliest days, Angela has been a constant throughout its journey, witnessing both SPA and LHC Procurement Group grow from a small operation into a high-performing, 70-strong team.
Angela said: “When I started, it really was a baptism of fire. We were just a small team then and I must have worn every hat possible, from procurement and marketing to board admin and events. It was hard work, but we’ve built something special from the ground up.
“Since then, the team has more than doubled in size, and SPA has gone from strength to strength. We've introduced new roles, new expertise, and a much more structured way of working, but it’s never lost that people-focussed approach, close collaboration and purpose that made me want to stay ever since my first day.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. I know I’m leaving SPA in a brilliant position, and I’m excited to watch it continue to grow and make an even bigger impact in the years ahead.”
Angela has been a cornerstone of SPA for more than nine years. Her career journey has been far from linear. Before SPA, Angela worked across sectors including banking, PR, education, and interior design - a varied path that she says made her adaptable and resourceful.
As SPA expanded, Angela took on a new role as mentor and trainer, helping onboard generations of new staff. From her own self-taught beginnings, she developed a series of internal guides that remain in daily use.
Lesley Peaty, Regional Director at SPA, Scotland’s largest free-to-join not for profit procurement organisation said: “Angela has been an integral part of our team for almost a decade, and I can confidently say she’ll leave behind a legacy that’s difficult to match. We’re all going to miss her deeply.
“She’s been instrumental in shaping the culture we’re so proud of at SPA, bringing a sense of calm and humour to everything she does.
“That influence has touched every corner of the organisation. Angela has also been a guiding hand for so many new colleagues over the years, always the first to offer reassurance, a practical solution, or a much-needed laugh. Her presence has been truly one of a kind.”
Angela’s support for SPA’s wider values has been just as impactful as her day-to-day role. A passionate advocate for the organisation’s social value mission, she was front and centre during the team’s unforgettable participation in the Sleep in the Park initiative, enduring sub-zero temperatures to raise awareness of homelessness.
Angela said: “Moments like that capture what SPA is truly about, supporting communities and making a difference.”
Now looking ahead to retirement, Angela is ready to embrace a slower pace of life, with holidays, home improvements and time spent in the garden high on the agenda.
