We’re proud to announce that Argon & Co has won the CIPS Procurement Consultancy Project of the Year at the 2025 CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards.
This prestigious accolade recognises the success of Project STEP (Savings Through Engaged Procurement), delivered in partnership with the University of Queensland (UQ)—a project that delivered significant savings and importantly really improved the way procurement and the rest of business worked together.
Working side-by-side with faculties and divisions, Argon & Co took an embedded, hands-on approach. Through detailed spend analysis, the introduction of category-specific SME groups, streamlined procurement tools, and strong stakeholder engagement, the project drove $8.3 million in annual savings across 26 strategic sourcing initiatives.
Crucially, Project STEP also strengthened procurement governance, reduced off-contract spend, and embedded sustainability and Indigenous supplier engagement into procurement processes—ensuring alignment with UQ’s broader ESG objectives.
“This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when procurement is elevated to a strategic function,” said Daniel Williams Procurement Partner at Argon & Co. “From enhancing supplier relationships to delivering measurable savings and long-term impact, Project STEP showcases the role consultancies can play in helping organisations deliver sustainable value.”
Key achievements include:
- $8.3 million in annual savings realised across two waves of implementation (2023–2024)
- Increased supplier compliance and visibility across decentralised faculties and units
- Implementation of category management frameworks and performance tracking systems
- Prioritisation of sustainable and Indigenous suppliers in key categories
- Strong endorsement from UQ’s Vice-Chancellor, CFO, and business units
This recognition from CIPS highlights not only the success of the project but also Argon & Co’s commitment to embedding lasting change for clients. Project STEP is now considered a model for strategic procurement transformation in the higher education sector.
We extend our congratulations and thanks to the entire University of Queensland team for their collaborative spirit—and to our own team for continuing to push the boundaries of what procurement excellence looks like.
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