CIPS Futures | The Procurement and Supply Chain Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

• CIPS Salary Guide hub, in partnership with Hays
• CIPS Code of Conduct
• Watch highlights from the 2024 CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards
• Watch highlights from the 2024 CIPS Africa Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards

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

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

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

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:

• Nationwide Oakfield Community Housing Project
• Social Enterprise UK
• CIPS Futures Conference highlights

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

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.