Innovation 2023 five minutes with…. Martin Ledolter of Austria’s Federal Procurement Agency
In this sister series to our ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the civil and public service leaders that will be speaking at our free Innovation conference. Taking place in London on 21 March 2023, and available to stream on demand, during the event officials from all over the world will promote and develop new approaches to policymaking and service delivery.
In this interview, Martin Ledolter, managing director of Austria’s Federal Procurement Agency – who will join the conference session on innovation in procurement – talks perseverance, the Austrian approach to procurement that marries sustainability and innovation, and his love of the Alps.
Click here to register for Innovation 2023
What are you most interested in discussing at Innovation 2023?
Innovative examples of how governments are utilising their purchasing and contracting power so as to catalyse broader social and economic outcomes.
What drew you to a career in the civil service?
The possibility to pursue a meaningful career and to be able to contribute to a greater good.
What have you achieved in your career that you’re most proud of?
To bear witness to both tangible and sustainable improvements in the lives of people.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your working life?
Life is not about how many times you fall down. It’s about how many times you get back up.
Can you name one lesson that has helped you and your colleagues?
Rigorous perseverance will ultimately yield rewards.
Can you name one Austrian project that might be valuable to your peers overseas?
The integration of sustainability (Platform Sustainable Procurement) and innovation (Platform Innovative Public Procurement) into the very core process of the Austrian Federal Procurement Agency BBG.
What attributes do you most value in people?
Honesty, loyalty, reliability.
What is your favourite thing to do at the weekend?
Enjoying the Austrian Alps on foot, skis or mountain bike.
What is your favourite book?
Tai Pan by James Clavell.
More from this series:
Laura Gilbert, 10 Downing Street chief analyst
Peter Pogačar, director general of Slovenia’s Ministry of Public Administration
Ann Dunkin, US Department of Energy CIO
Want to write for GGF? We are always looking to hear from public and civil servants on the latest developments in their organisation – please get in touch below or email [email protected]
About Mia Hunt
Mia is a journalist and editor with a background in covering commercial property, having been market reports and supplements editor at trade title Property Week and deputy editor of Shopping Centre magazine, now known as Retail Destination. She has also undertaken freelance work for several publications including the preview magazine of international trade show, MAPIC, and TES Global (formerly the Times Educational Supplement) and has produced a white paper on energy efficiency in business for E.ON. Between 2014 and 2016, she was a member of the Revo Customer Experience Committee and an ACE Awards judge. Mia graduated from Kingston University with a first-class degree in journalism and was part of the team that produced The River newspaper, which won Publication of the Year at the Guardian Student Media Awards in 2010.
Related Posts
Join this webinar to find out:
- How digital tools and skills can be used to improve government procurement, from better understanding of spending to predictive analytics.
- How government and suppliers can work together to use technology to improve public service provision.
- How big data can better drive performance management across government services.