CIPS Futures | The Procurement and Supply Chain Podcast

Mike Soutar on "three storms of change" reshaping procurement (and everything else)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100

The AI revolution, shifting geopolitical alliances, and a new generation in the workforce. Mike Soutar, author of Next Gen CEO and star from the BBC’s The Apprentice describes these as "the three storms". What does this mean for the next generation of leaders? Mike has 60 lessons, but here are just two: it's a leader's job to maintain momentum; and people don't follow pessimists.

Plus, why procurement and supply chain professionals are in a unique position to lead organisations in an uncertain, fast-moving world.

From creating space for constructive dissent to building culture in remote organisations, this revealing conversation with CIPS CEO Ben Farrell is a fascinating insight into the future of leadership.

This episode is sponsored by Vantify, the vantage point for connected compliance. You can find out more about them at Vantify.com

Confronting nature loss and climate change: why it’s a procurement problem

Tue, 26 May 2026 07:05:00 +0100

At a point where biodiversity loss is higher now than at any other time in human history, the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) New Zealand CEO Kayla Kingdon-Bebb has an urgent message for procurement: every sourcing decision you make is a chance to shift the needle.

The picture is stark. Wildlife populations are in sharp decline, while nature loss and climate change are amplifying each other. The consequences are playing out before our eyes. For procurement and supply chain professionals, this is an economic risk as much as it is an environmental one. Economies are heavily dependent on nature – its destruction creates new risk exposure.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, assures Kayla. Sustainable procurement practices are a critical part of the solution to protecting nature and improving business resilience. This is “procurement’s moment” concluded CIPS’ global head of sustainability, Maxfield Weiss.

Plus: why the whales should offer us hope...

Chokepoints, supply webs and risk concentration: is your organisation resilient enough?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:30:00 +0100

As CIPS launches The Great Conversation – a world-wide dialogue about the future of the profession – we talk to David Shillingford, a leading investor in supply chain innovation. His message to procurement and supply chain professionals: extreme complexity is here to stay.

Also on the agenda: why procurement professionals must learn cross-functional scenario planning; where your hidden vulnerabilities lie; why conflict zones are everywhere; and the most important company you've never heard of.

Managing supply chain challenges: insights from NHS Supply Chain

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

A critical supplier goes into administration. There are only eight weeks of stock left, yet it will take nine months to switch to a new supplier. What would you do? In this episode, we hear how the NHS Supply Chain's head of supply chain resilience, Tom Brailsford, and his team responded to ensure hospitals and healthcare providers never ran out of the stock they needed after an essential hand hygiene supplier went bust.

Brailsford also explains how the NHS Supply Chain have transitioned to a sophisticated resilience model to ensure that 600,000 healthcare products and services a year make it to the frontline of patient care. Plus, we uncover the "cliff-edge" risks keeping healthcare procurement professionals up at night and how a UK cross-government initiative is helping to map multi-tier supplier risk.

Further reading:

Find out more about the NHS Supply Chain
Read the full story on how the NHS Supply Chain navigated supply disruption
Get more insight into managing risk - watch CIPS Risk & Resilience webinar week 2025 on-demand

From back office to boardroom: why supply chain leadership is now business critical

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

We're joined by Nick Nanos, chief supply chain officer and SVP of wholesale at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), an organisation on the frontline of navigating tariffs, labour disruption and complex global logistics. Hear how his team is spearheading change and innovation in practice to become the strategic lever the crown agency now relies on to respond to challenges and consistently deliver value.

Nick reflects on the qualities required of procurement and supply chain leaders amidst today's volatility. And, as a member and advocate for both the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL) and CIPS, the role he feels professional bodies play in developing those skills.

"Play the game in front of you": steering through trade and commodity price turbulence – without a rulebook

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Are we witnessing a "rupture" of the rules-based international order? How have tariffs and geopolitical events played out on the ground? And what does this all mean for procurement and supply chain professionals? CIPS global economist Dr John Glen and Fastmarkets commodities expert Ross Yeo make sense of all the noise.

Modern slavery: a survivor's story

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Modern slavery survivor Moe Turaga shares his personal story of forced labour in the Australian horticulture sector. Moe offers a rare and vital insight into this complex crime as part of his mission to place people with lived experience at the centre of the global response to modern slavery.

His message for procurement and supply professionals is clear: you hold the leverage to make a real difference in the fight against human exploitation in supply chains. His advice? Ask uncomfortable questions, look deeper into your suppliers and partner with expert remediation services when you do encounter potential victims.

A time of change: why co-innovation and resilience will define procurement success

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:30:00 +0000

Departing CIPS Chair Alison Barto on horizon scanning, co-innovation with suppliers and why procurement's role is now about bringing the outside world in. Plus, the remarkable sense of belonging that CIPS members enjoy as part of a global community.

Alison also shares her proudest achievement as CIPS' Chair and the biggest changes she's made during her tenure.

CIPS Foundation tackles modern slavery: the five hundred billion dollar crime in your supply chain

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0100

An estimated 28 million people are employed in forced labour in supply chains. Procurement professionals are on the frontline of this global crime - one estimated to be worth half a trillion dollars. It is a challenge the CIPS Foundation is working with UK-based modern slavery charity Unseen to tackle head on by providing funding to turn data from its Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline into actionable insights for procurement professionals.

In this CIPS Foundation special we lift the lid on an issue that exposes organisations to significant financial, legal and reputational risks - where "plausible deniability" is no longer an option and fundamental human rights are at stake. Andrew Wallis OBE, CEO of Unseen, and Sodexo's Madeline Fitton MCIPS, founder and chair of the BSA Modern Slavery Council, share what progress has been made 10 years on from the UK's landmark Modern Slavery Act.

We uncover the scale of the challenge facing procurement, address why effective legislation must be designed as a "spiky carrot", and provide essential advice on how to identify and respond to modern slavery in your own supply chain.

Further reading:

Learn more about the CIPS Foundation
Read: How the CIPS Foundation is supporting Unseen
Watch: CIPS Foundation & Unseen tackling modern slavery together
Find out more about Unseen and the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

Navigating supplier disputes, part 3: dispute intelligence with AI

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0100

Is AI the answer to resolving disputes with your suppliers? Yes... and no - as we find out in the final instalment of this mini-series. While the human input and experience of professionals remains critical to forging and maintaining supplier relationships that keep businesses running, we explore where AI is reshaping procurement roles when it comes to negotiation, contract management and resolving conflict.

Hear from resolutiion's Fayola-Maria Jack and Katarzyna Hewelt on how AI is reducing costs caused by disputes by up to a third, and making contract management faster and more accurate at identifying risks - removing future sources of conflict at source. Acting as a co-pilot, AI gives procurement the time to focus on the strategy and relationships that drive true value for their organisations, explain our guests.

Additional reading:

This podcast mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), in partnership with resolutiion.

Navigating supplier disputes, part 2: mastering resolution skills

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Part two of the CIPS Futures navigating supplier disputes mini-series puts conflict resolution skills and capabilities in the spotlight. We're once more joined by CIPS trainer, Kurt Warren, as he reveals the foundational strategies that procurement and supply professionals must hone to better manage commercial conflict. Realignment of responsibilities and expectations, understanding your "walk away point" and a strong grasp of accurate data are all critical, he advises.

Plus, how do you spot the signs of a dispute early? Fayola-Maria Jack, CEO and founder of resolutiion and experienced dispute negotiator reveals the key indicators to watch out for.

Additional reading:

This podcast mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), in partnership with resolutiion.

Navigating supplier disputes, part 1: the anatomy of disputes

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Commercial conflicts are increasing, taking longer to resolve and costing more. And it is procurement and supply professionals on the frontline of supplier disputes. Listen to part one of this CIPS Futures mini-series where we delve into this critical challenge facing the profession. We unravel the common causes behind supplier disputes and ask whether this is a result of bad practices, or simply an inevitability of complex commercial contracts...

CIPS fellow and experienced global trainer in conflict management and negotiation, Kurt Warren, joins us for the first episode of this three-part series, alongside Joanna Ingram, chief revenue officer at resolutiion. Both guests underline the evolving role procurement practitioners are playing in conflict management and why effective resolution helps professionals demonstrate true value to their organisations.

Additional reading:

This podcast mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), in partnership with resolutiion.

Think like a futurist: how to make decisions with certainty

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 06:05:00 +0100

How do you bridge the gap between today's urgent requests and your long-term, strategic goals? What tools and strategies can you use to plan and lead change better? And why is the simple act of writing things down the best habit to learn to become more confident in your decision making? Procurement futurist and leadership keynote speaker Dr Graham Norris is our guest for this episode. He offers practical and plain-speaking answers to those challenging questions.

A guru in organisational psychology, Norris shares how practical strategies like 'backcasting' and 'mental time travel' can help procurement and supply professionals unlock their inner strategists, even amidst a backdrop of uncertainty.

Further reading:

Find out more about Graham Norris
DOWNLOAD: the CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply 2025 report, supported by GEP
READ: The seven skills of strategic foresight
READ: Graham Norris' emerging AI trends in procurement

Professionalising procurement, part 3: a career of choice

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0100

The third episode of the Professionalising Procurement series, brought to you by the CIPS ANZ team, features quickfire interviews from public-sector practitioners from across Australia and New Zealand. Head of Procurement at ABC, Sarah Collins, shares a candid story of why procurement should always be in the room, while Emma Morrow, Manager Commissioning for Outcomes at New Zealand's Department of Corrections, offers a fascinating insight into an ongoing procurement process that focuses on engaging and collaborating with Māori communities for better outcomes. Finally, Gareth Williams gives a passionate pitch to the opportunities the profession gives people and why procurement should find you - rather than the other way round. Why wouldn't you want to get paid to spend someone else's money...?

We ask each guest what makes procurement such an exciting career choice; the influence professionals have to drive positive change; and the lessons they've learned from mistakes they've made.

Further reading:

Have you seen the new and improved CIPS Professional Register? The directory shares the professional status of procurement and supply chain practitioners around the world, and you can now personalise your profile with specialisms and expertise.

Check out your listing on the Professional Register

Pursuing profit responsibly: how to protect human rights in global supply chains

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0100

What do businesses owe to faraway workers who make their products? That's the question put by Professor Michael Posner from the NYU Stern School of Business in his new book, Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights. Posner is a world expert in human rights with extensive experience as a human rights lawyer, State Department official under the Obama administration and chair of the Fair Labor Association. He offers a unique perspective on what we can learn from the significant progress the apparel sector has made, the complexities of the solar panel industry, and why human rights should be a business priority alongside performance and revenue. Plus, the evolving risks to human rights coming from the AI space.

His message to procurement and supply professionals facing these issues on the frontline is clear: you must find ways of meaningfully delivering on the promises companies are making.

Further reading:

Professionalising procurement, part 2: raising the bar for all

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:00:00 +0100

In our second episode of the CIPS Futures podcast mini-series brought to you by the CIPS ANZ team, we talk to Jane Wagner and Samir El-Sabagh, both procurement professionals from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care. As a former CIPS Leader of the Year, Jane explains what procurement can learn from the finance profession in following a maturity path to develop capability and ensure that the value of highly qualified procurement and contract management professionals is recognised in strategic roles.

And we get under the skin of how professional qualifications translate to being better at your job. Samir shares his journey to becoming CIPS qualified, why it's opened new doors in his career and offers candid examples of how he's delivered improved outcomes for the Australian public sector as a direct result of embarking on a learning pathway.

Further reading:

Check out your listing on the Professional Register

Professionalising procurement, part 1: recognition as a value driver

Tue, 27 May 2025 01:00:00 +0100

In this CIPS Futures podcast mini-series brought to you by the CIPS ANZ team, CIPS Australia & New Zealand general manager Charlotte Payne hosts Julia Pickworth and Richard Windeyer, co-heads of the Australian Public Service Commission's Procurement and Contract Management (PCM) Profession, launched in 2024. What is the PCM Profession and why now? How will the initiative drive capability to accelerate the professionalisation of the workforce? And what is Julia and Richard's vision for the future of Australian procurement and contract management professionals?

Plus, ever thought of buying submarines and robots? Public sector procurement might be the place for you...

Further reading:

Check out your listing on the Professional Register

Trump's tariffs, global trade and what all this means for procurement and supply

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:29:16 +0100

"This is VUCA on steroids." The Trump administration's constantly-changing US tariffs are wreaking havoc on the markets – and on procurement professionals' planning. To find out what it means and how you can mitigate the risks, we speak to CIPS global economist, Dr John Glen.

Could the turmoil forge fresh connections between the UK and EU post Brexit? Will we see opportunities in emerging markets in Africa and South America? John explains the fundamentals of tariffs and answers your burning questions in this special edition of the podcast.

Further reading:

CIPS resources and events:

Get to know your CEO: what's next for CIPS and the profession

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:30:00 +0100

CIPS CEO Ben Farrell reflects on his first 100 days in the role. After connecting with the global CIPS community across the world, Ben unveils his exciting vision for the future of CIPS and the wider profession. His message: today's procurement and supply professionals are tomorrow's business leaders.

Plus, hear Ben's thoughts on the transformational impact AI is having on procurement; the role CIPS must play in amplifying global best practice; and leadership lessons from his time serving in the British army and leading John Lewis' pandemic response.

Further reading:

Overcome imposter syndrome and be curious to free your potential

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

To celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we hear from two inspiring female procurement leaders. Lauren Feery, group procurement director of global packaging company DS Smith, shares why curiosity and speaking up are valuable tools in your career arsenal.

Plus, you might have more in common with David Bowie than you think… Executive coach, CIPS trustee and ex-procurement and sustainability leader Juliet Sotnick reveals the common signs of imposter syndrome and offers five ways to overcome it.

Additional links and further reading:

Unlocking procurement superpowers: how diverse skills and inclusive practices can drive team success

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Findings from the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2024, supported by Hays, showed hiring procurement and supply talent remains a critical challenge globally. So, how can you think differently to recruit and develop a well-rounded and capable team?

Dave Jones, Head of Procurement – IT & Digital, Virgin Media & O2; and Dan Robertson, Global MD, Fairer Consulting, discuss the positive impact an inclusive culture has for recruitment, retention and talent development. Plus, why diverse skills and perspectives set your procurement function apart to drive future success.

The CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Survey 2025 is now live! Share your views on inclusive practices and other important areas to contribute to this year's findings. Just follow the link below:

Take the CIPS Procurement & Salary Survey 2025, supported by Hays, here >>

To find out more about the 2024 findings at the CIPS Salary Guide hub, use the Salary Calculator, or explore the findings on ED&I in procurement and supply, follow the links below:

Procurement's great enabler: unlocking potential with AI and digital technology

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000

How do you build capacity within your procurement function to deliver the value now expected? Sebastien Bals, CPO at Merck Group, reveals how his team is using digital solutions and AI at scale to create new ways of working, enable process orchestration and meet the pharmaceutical and technology giant's wider sustainability goals.

Further reading:

CIPS Sustainable Procurement Pioneers - 30 innovators shaping the future of sustainable procurement
CIPS AI in Procurement and Supply Report - How automation will change your career and the function, supported by Posterity Global

Procurement Act, part 4: opening up public sector procurement

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Good procurement is not just about initial cost, but also about whole life value. The Procurement Act has been designed to transform procurement and create engaging, competitive and open marketplaces, says the UK's Cabinet Office. Rebecca Rees and Alan Heron explore the mechanisms that have been put in place to enable practitioners to create more competition and flexibility in their procurement processes. Will new skills be required of practitioners to take full advantage of the opportunities?

Plus, hear Rebecca and Alan's final thoughts on the expected impact of the Procurement Act 2023 once it goes live in February 2025.

Further reading:

An Essential Guide to the Procurement Act 2023, from Procurement Hub
Procurement Act guidance documents from the Cabinet Office
What is Public Sector Procurement?
Procurement Hub

This mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in partnership with the Procurement Hub, part of Places for People.

Procurement Act, part 3: building a culture of integrity

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

With around £300 billion a year spent on public sector procurement each year, professionalism and integrity are essential characteristics of good procurement officers. How is this being addressed in the new Procurement Act? Will the new regulations drive further use of framework providers? And, how will the debarment list of suppliers work in practice?

Rebecca Rees and Alan Heron help unravel these very questions for you on episode three of the CIPS Preparing for the Procurement Act podcast series.

Further reading:

An Essential Guide to the Procurement Act 2023, from Procurement Hub
Procurement Act guidance documents from the Cabinet Office
What is Public Sector Procurement?
Procurement Hub

This mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in partnership with the Procurement Hub, part of Places for People.

Procurement Act, part 2: the requirement for transparency

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Transparency is 'hard baked' throughout the Procurement Act, but what does this mean in practice? Episode two of the CIPS Preparing for the Procurement Act series focuses on the new notice requirements, the resulting practical implications for contracting authorities and how you can prepare for the changes.

Rebecca Rees, partner and head of public procurement at Trowers & Hamlins joins the Procurement Hub's Alan Heron to provide you with an expert perspective.

Further reading:

An Essential Guide to the Procurement Act 2023, from Procurement Hub
Procurement Act guidance documents from the Cabinet Office
What is Public Sector Procurement?
Procurement Hub

This mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in partnership with the Procurement Hub, part of Places for People.

Procurement Act, part 1: how we got here

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0100

A new CIPS Futures Podcast mini-series to help UK public sector practitioners and suppliers prepare for the incoming Procurement Act. Lindsay Maguire, deputy director for procurement reform at the Cabinet Office shares the motivations behind the new Act, the opportunities it will create for public sector practitioners and the long term ambitions for public procurement.

Plus, the Procurement Hub's Alan Heron offers a practitioner's perspective.

Further reading:

An Essential Guide to the Procurement Act 2023, from Procurement Hub
Procurement Act guidance documents from the Cabinet Office
What is Public Sector Procurement?
Procurement Hub

This mini-series is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in partnership with the Procurement Hub, part of Places for People.

Uncovering corruption in procurement: red flags and remedies

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0100

What are the telltale signs of corruption? Lenushka Parannath MCIPS explains what red flags to watch out for. And shares how to take control of the procurement process to avoid becoming a 'mailbox' between suppliers and the business – leaving the door open for corrupt deals. Plus, is a hierarchical structure to decision-making holding your function back?

Mentioned in this podcast:

Time for new risk management strategies? Building resilience in an age of relentless change

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:30:00 +0100

Geopolitical risk consultant and author of Zero Sum Charles Hecker has an uncompromising message for procurement and supply chain professionals: geopolitics is now in your job spec. Borders are returning and "there is nothing to get used to anymore". So, how do practitioners and businesses respond?

Mentioned in this podcast:

CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply 2024, supported by GEP
Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, Charles Hecker
CIPS Risk & Resilience webinar series - Sessions available to watch on-demand

Procurement leadership 101: How to be an agent of change and value

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0100

A revealing interview with CIPS MENA Leader of the Year, Sulaiman Abdulla MCIPS, director at the UAE Federal Tax Authority. What are the traits of a successful leader? How do you use influence to drive change? And, is it time procurement had a rebrand…?

Mentioned in this podcast:

CIPS MENA Procurement & Supply Excellence Awards 2024

Driving positive social change through procurement - the Nationwide story

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0100

Why should social value be at the heart of a cost transformation programme? How can you find and engage social enterprises? And, is it possible to drive positive social change through your supply chain in the highly regulated financial industry?

Laura Faulkner FCIPS, of the market-leading UK mutual building society Nationwide, has the answers in this special episode of Futures recorded live at the CIPS Procurement & Supply Futures Conference in London.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"It's our job to sell this profession": how to attract and retain the best procurement talent

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 11:08:50 +0100

Stephen Day, chief procurement officer at Kantar, is on a mission to bring a new, diverse generation into procurement. He's calling on other procurement and supply leaders to join him in breaking traditional recruitment cycles to create a truly accessible profession fit for the future.

Eliminating waste: the secrets of lean management for procurement

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:00:00 +0100

Step into the world of lean management as Professor Danny Samson from the University of Melbourne explains how you can reenergise your procurement function by adopting lean principles. Where can you find wasteful processes holding you back? Why do most companies fail in implementing lean principles? How does technology play a role in success?

Why (and how) procurement must think differently to drive sustainability performance

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:01:01 +0100

How can you think differently to build better supply chain relationships? Why do we need a culture shift to really embed meaningful change? What does the 'broken windows' theory have to do with sustainable procurement? George Mosey and Rossella Nicolin from global construction firm, Laing O'Rourke, delve into this critical subject.

Creating a world-class procurement function: Anna Spinelli, DHL

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

DHL's chief procurement officer and head of mobility on transforming a 700-strong global team to world-class standards. Plus: electric planes, anyone?

Women in leadership: Embedding gender equality into procurement and supply

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:37:33 +0000

In the third episode of CIPS Futures we hear from CIPS' own Alison Barto, chair of our global board of trustees and chief partnership officer at Carbonaires, and Jane Wagner, assistant secretary of the Vaccine Supply Management Branch at the Australian Department of Health. Leaders in their field, Alison and Jane share their personal career journeys, offer advice on leadership and discuss what it takes to carve out a successful career. We also explore the importance of global initiatives like International Women's Day, and how to build a strong talent pipeline for the profession – with equality, diversity and inclusivity at its core.

Find out more:

International Women’s Day CIPS

‘Don’t wait for the data’: Sustainability priorities for the procurement and supply professional

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 11:09:57 +0000

How can procurement and supply professionals tackle the sustainability challenges facing them today? In this episode, Oliver Hurrey, Sustainability Procurement Pledge champion, discusses everything from Scope 3 emissions and incoming legislation to value chain collaboration and carbon reporting mechanisms. His message? Act now, don’t delay.

Procurement and sustainability: our role in combating climate change

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:08:38 +0000

A revealing conversation with Amanda Davies, chief procurement and sustainability officer, Mars Wrigley