Vivien Bodnar is to head PACE, Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, the agency which advises Government departments on how to achieve best value for money in the procurement and management of their workspace. PACE also disposes of vacant Government property.

The appointment was announced by Peter Gershon, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce. Ms Bodnar joins PACE from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) where she is currently Head of Business Planning Unit and on loan from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Speaking about the appointment Mr Gershon said: "I am delighted that Vivien has agreed to join us, and she does so at an exciting time. PACE is entering a period of transition as it strives to develop itself from a self-contained organisation to one with a key role in the OGC's integrated agenda. I am sure that her public and private sector experience will be invaluable in driving forward PACE in its new relationship."

Vivien Bodnar said: "It is clear that exciting challenges lie ahead. I believe that the review of the Office of Government Commerce, including PACE, will bring a greater focus to what can be achieved across the whole of Government. I am particularly pleased to be joining an organisation at a key time of change."

Bodnar who takes up her post on 25 September, replaces John Locke who leaves at the end of this month.

The OGC was set in April 2000 to become the Government's centre of excellence in procurement for up to 200 Government departments, non-governmental bodies and agencies. The OGC brings together PACE, Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) and the Buying Agency (TBA).

Richard Byatt

Office of Government Commerce www.ogc.gov.uk