Powering Procurement

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Jane Lynch, Director of the Centre of Public Value Procurement at Cardiff Business School. Together, they explore how procurement can be a powerful tool for social impact and innovation, how the Well-being of Future Generations Act is shaping public spending in Wales, challenges and successes and driving sustainability and innovation in procurement, and why collaboration with small businesses and community organisations is essential for creating long-term impact.

Jane’s incredible career spans decades of research, teaching, and practical influence in procurement, with a special focus on delivering public value. She has been a driving force behind innovative projects, such as embedding social value into procurement and achieving net-zero social housing in Wales. Jane’s work is transforming how we think about procurement, not just as a transactional function but as a strategic lever for social, environmental, and economic change.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

• [09:32] - How Wales Is Shaping a Better Future: Wales' approach to embedding social and environmental principles has been truly transformative, driven by the Well-being of Future Generations Act, which acts as a North Star for public sector initiatives. The legislation empowers organisations to focus on long-term benefits rather than short-term gains, fostering collaboration, supporting local communities, and addressing systemic challenges like poverty.
  
  
• [19:12] - Sustainability and Social Value in Procurement: Embedding sustainability and social value into procurement requires a cultural shift across entire organisations. While budget constraints and procedural challenges remain, the upcoming Procurement Act presents a huge opportunity to simplify processes, create pipelines for better planning, and ensure a fairer, more innovative playing field for suppliers of all sizes.

• [33:25] - Innovation in Procurement: Procurement is at the forefront of driving innovation, but achieving meaningful outcomes requires a shift from short-term cost-saving to long-term investment. Fostering fair competition for small businesses, leveraging economic stimulus packages, and aligning departmental initiatives allow procurement to shape the supply market to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions.
  
  

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
• Jane Lynch on LinkedIn
• Cardiff Business School Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this special Christmas episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch count down the 12 biggest challenges procurement professionals faced in 2024. With festive cheer and expert insights featuring John Wallace, Kate Stavrides, Emma Scot, and Filip Leonard, they tackle the year's most pressing topics, from navigating the complexities of Transforming Public Procurement (TPP) to embracing AI and automation and strengthening supplier relationships.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
• Sian Lloyd on LinkedIn
• Gareth Burch on LinkedIn
• John Wallace on LinkedIn
• Kate Stavrides on LinkedIn
• Emma Scott on LinkedIn
• Filip Leonard on LinkedIn

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Andra Fola, CEO and Procurement Architect of Solutionary Procurement. Together, they discuss Andra’s vision for transforming procurement into a force for global good. From leveraging human superpowers to creating frameworks like the Five Personas, Andra redefines what it means to be a procurement leader in the modern world.
With over 15 years of experience in procurement leadership roles at companies like Amazon and Vodafone, Andra has made a significant impact in the field by blending technological innovation with human-centric strategies. She is the driving force behind Solutionary Procurement, a platform that aims to amplify human superpowers within the procurement profession and harness the power of personas to create a positive global impact.

Andra’s expertise spans procurement innovation, digital transformation, and leadership development. Her 5 Personas framework helps procurement professionals navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI and automation while staying rooted in human values like ethics, adaptability, and collaboration. Beyond her work at Solutionary Procurement, she’s a mentor, startup accelerator, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech and procurement industries. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

• [02:40] - Falling into Procurement: Andra’s journey into procurement began with her passion for coding and problem-solving, which she channeled into building a stock management system for a restaurant she worked at. This experience ignited her interest in logistics and supply chain management, setting the foundation for her career. Although she initially dabbled in finance and business intelligence, Andra felt a strong “calling” to return to procurement when Vodafone established its supply chain management department. She describes her career in procurement as one of “destiny,” where her skills and passions found their perfect fit.
  
  
• [05:58] - The Evolution of Procurement: Procurement has evolved from a tactical role focused on transactions to a strategic pillar influencing sustainability, ecosystem management, and partnerships. Andra highlights the shift from basic purchasing and contracting to a more mature function that drives organizational impact. She sees procurement as a “growing baby becoming a full-grown adult,” ready to take ownership of its influence. This transformation, she notes, has enabled procurement to play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges like sustainability and supply chain resilience.
  
  
• [08:10] - What is Solutionary Procurement?: Solutionary Procurement is Andra’s vision for amplifying the untapped potential of procurement by combining purpose, human superpowers, and professional identity. The initiative aims to transform procurement into a force for good by aligning individual strengths with organizational goals. Andra believes that procurement professionals have the unique ability to influence global investments while creating systemic change. By blending technology and human-centric strategies, Solutionary Procurement fosters innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across industries.

• [12:32] - The Reason for Andra’s Five Personas Framework: Andra’s Five Personas framework provides a structured approach to unlocking human potential in procurement by focusing on purpose, innate abilities, and identity. She emphasizes that professionals excel when their roles align with their unique strengths and the impact they aspire to create. The framework simplifies the complexities of talent development and helps organizations implement targeted strategies for growth. Andra believes this approach not only drives performance within procurement but also enables professionals to pivot across industries, expanding their influence and opportunities.

• [28:31] - Lessons from Amazon: During her time at Amazon, Andra was instrumental in setting up a supplier management program designed to handle black swan events like the COVID-19 pandemic. She marveled at Amazon’s decentralized procurement structure, which fosters innovation while maintaining operational excellence. Andra’s strategy focused on preparing for unforeseen challenges by building processes and technology that enabled proactive risk management. Her experience at Amazon underscored the importance of blending agility with structure to drive resilience and long-term success in procurement.
  
  

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
• Andra Fola on LinkedIn
• Solutionary Procurement Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Filip Leonard, Group Head of Supply Chain, Procurement, and Social Value at Maximus UK. Together, they dive into the strategic changes Filip is spearheading at Maximus and what he envisions for the future of procurement.

With over a decade of experience in both the public and private sectors, Filip has led transformative procurement initiatives, playing a key role in revolutionising how procurement is approached at Maximus. Under his leadership, Maximus has implemented cutting-edge procurement technology, driving greater efficiency, risk management, and social value within their supply chain.

Filip’s experience extends to not only the operational challenges of large-scale procurement but also the ethical side, where he’s been instrumental in embedding policies such as the Real Living Wage across Maximus’ supply chain. His focus on sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility has made him a leading voice in procurement transformation.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

• [09:03] - Turning Data Chaos into Clarity: Switching to a single source of truth has transformed Maximus' procurement approach from reactive to proactive. By centralising data, Filip and his team eliminated countless hours lost to spreadsheets and manual tracking, freeing them to focus on strategic, value-driven decisions. Now, the team is able to monitor renewals and risk alerts in real time, enabling mature discussions with stakeholders and allowing them to spot and address issues early.
  
  
• [14:36] - Ethics Meets Efficiency: Aligning social value and cost-efficiency in procurement doesn't have to be a trade-off. Engaging with suppliers, sharing your organisation's values, and working together to find solutions allow you to reduce costs while advancing responsible business practices. Moreover, this approach attracts like-minded vendors, supports talent retention, and helps the company align with future legislation.

• [30:50] - Staying Ahead of Supply Chain Risks: Maximus has embraced data-driven procurement transformation to stay ahead of supply chain risks. Leveraging dashboards that highlight trends instead of just historical data offers Maximus the possibility to proactively identify potential risks with vendors, such as financial issues or operational changes. This enables more informed, risk-focused conversations with suppliers, leading to better responses and quicker identification of emerging threats.

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
• Filip Leonard on LinkedIn
• Maximus UK Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Lisa Stubbs, Head of Open and Transparent Contracting at Cabinet Office. Together, they discuss how the Procurement Act (TPP) will transform UK public procurement, enhance transparency, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Lisa began her career in the civil service at 23, unsure of her future path. She quickly adapted, starting in telecoms and technology procurement for a centralised procurement organisation. Here, Lisa found space to learn and grow, with work that was both engaging and challenging.

She quickly rose to a management role and, by chance, discovered procurement policy, a field that allowed her to create new methods, rules, and legislation. Lisa was part of the team that adjusted UK procurement regulations post-Brexit, contributing to the development of a new regulatory framework.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

• [06:21] - The Procurement Reform Act Takes Center Stage: The Procurement Reform Act marks a key step in transforming public procurement by introducing a flexible, data-driven framework that aligns with government policy priorities while being adaptable to future needs. The Act is designed to streamline the procurement process, enhancing efficiency and transparency for both public sector buyers and suppliers. Through the implementation of a central digital platform, data will be consolidated, simplifying processes and reducing redundant requirements for suppliers.
  
  
• [17:09] - Unleashing Flexibility in Public Procurement: The competitive flexible procedure is a game-changer for public procurement, allowing professionals to tailor procurement processes to fit specific needs, drive innovation, and enhance supplier diversity. Giving procurement specialists more freedom to apply their expertise and design customer approaches within a clear regulatory framework can lead to more impactful and creative solutions.
  
  
• [23:30] - How Transparency in Procurement Drives Success: Understanding and sticking to regulations is essential for fostering innovation while maintaining accountability. Publishing clear and structured notices throughout the procurement lifecycle allows organisations to ensure that everyone involved has access to essential information, creating a culture of accountability. This level of transparency helps compliance while encouraging innovation, as it allows companies to standardise data structures, streamline workflows, and adapt to changes more efficiently.

• [38:45] - Simplifying Procurement with The Central Digital Platform: The Cabinet Office is focused on leveraging technology to enhance procurement processes through the new Procurement Reform Act. A central digital platform will streamline data publication, ensuring that all procurement notices are publicly accessible while protecting sensitive information when necessary. Starting soon, the Cabinet Office will initiate extensive beta testing with users and suppliers to ensure the platform is fully operational by its February launch.

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
• Lisa Stubbs on LinkedIn
• Cabinet Office Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Savita Mace, the Chief Procurement Officer for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Together they explore the critical role of risk management in procurement, the transformative impact of technology, and the importance of mentoring the next generation of professionals. 

As the Chief Procurement Officer at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSFT), Savita leads a team of eighty procurement and supply professionals who deliver value for money, quality, and efficiency across the health system. With over twenty years of experience in procurement and supply chain management, Savita has directed world-class procurement functions for global companies such as AstraZeneca, Roche, and Sony, driving and accelerating business growth and innovation.

Savita is passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of procurement leaders, and she shares her expertise and insights as a visiting lecturer and course mentor at University of Sussex and Durham University. She is also the UK representative of the Membership Committee at CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, the leading professional body for procurement and supply chain management. She holds a Master's degree in Strategic Procurement from University of South Wales, and is a chartered fellow of CIPS. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners.

Episode Highlights:

• [13:11] The Humbling Experience of Public Sector Procurement - Savita discusses her transition from the private sector to the NHS, describing it as a humbling experience that deepened her understanding of accountability in procurement. She says  that “This is the real world. This is the most vulnerable people”, emphasising the critical role her position plays in ensuring that patients receive necessary care and services. This shift brought her closer to the end-users of her work, forcing her to confront the pressures of timely supply chain management and the impact of procurement decisions on patient outcomes. Savita’s experience underscores the importance of being directly connected to the customers served and understanding the real-world implications of procurement decisions.
  
  
• [27:48] Importance of Adaptability and Self-Reflection in Leadership - In today's fast-paced environment, effective leadership in procurement necessitates a commitment to adaptability and self-reflection. Savita emphasises the significance of checking in with one's resilience and energy levels to avoid overstretching oneself and letting down both professional responsibilities and personal commitments. This proactive approach fosters a supportive team culture where members feel empowered to express their challenges and collaborate on solutions. Furthermore, maintaining a forward-looking perspective enables leaders to stay informed about evolving legislation, such as the CS Triple D EU regulations, which impact supply chain management and corporate responsibility. Savita asserts that understanding these developments not only aids compliance but also contributes to improving living standards, showcasing a leader’s role in driving positive change within their organisation and beyond. 
  
  
• [33:05] Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity - Savita articulates that embracing a "fail fast" mentality is crucial in procurement, as it fosters a culture of innovation and learning. She underscores the need for organisations to view failure not as a setback but as an essential component of growth and development. This approach encourages teams to experiment and iterate without fear, leading to quicker problem-solving and adaptability in response to challenges. Moreover, by engaging in quality circles that promote collective learning from mistakes, procurement professionals can enhance collaboration and resilience. As Savita points out, failure is inevitable, but the key lies in how organisations respond—by failing fast, learning quickly, and moving forward with renewed insights.

• [49:00] Technology's Role in Procurement - Savita highlights the transformative power of technology in procurement, particularly in managing reputational risk and enhancing decision-making through data analytics. She emphasises that utilising sentiment data can protect organisations from aligning with companies that pose a reputational threat, whether due to cultural misalignment or negative media coverage. This approach not only influences purchasing decisions but also impacts share prices, illustrating how critical it is for procurement professionals to leverage technology for comprehensive risk assessment and informed decision-making. She remembers evaluating craft sentiment data software using 400 different data points to generate one report in about 2 minutes, and highlights how that would be near impossible to do on pen and paper. 

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is bought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• Savita Mace on LinkedIn
• University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by John Wallace, Director of Procurement at Clarion Housing Group. Together, they navigate procurement challenges in social housing, how Clarion is driving social value beyond cost, the role of sustainability in social housing procurement, and how procurement can drive innovation.

In his role, John leads the procurement strategy for an organisation that provides homes for 350,000 people and builds over 2,000 new homes annually. His work is central to Clarion’s mission of addressing the housing crisis by ensuring the delivery of affordable homes and improving communities across the country.

John brings over 35 years of procurement experience from both the public and private sectors, having held senior positions across healthcare, housing, and F&B. His previous roles include Procurement Director at Metropolitan Thames Valley and Head of Procurement at Anchor Trust.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners 🙂

Episode Highlights:

• [14:36] - Driving Value in Social Housing: Balancing cost reduction with core values is crucial in social housing. John highlights the importance of integrating sustainability, social value, and effective contract management into procurement strategies, as well as focusing on developing commercial skills and understanding market dynamics. As the industry shifts, this is an opportunity for procurement teams to respond proactively, ensuring they contribute significantly to their organisations and communities.
  
  
• [25:08] - Mastering Compliance in the New Procurement Act: Compliance with the new Procurement Act 2023 is essential for housing associations, but it can be a challenge. To succeed despite the new administrative requirements, procurement teams should focus on streamlining processes to free up resources for strategic initiatives. To enhance procurement outcomes without losing momentum, organisations must stay proactive and be transparent.
  
  
• [33:35] - The Role of Sustainability in Social Housing Procurement: Sustainability in the social housing sector is becoming increasingly important, especially in procurement. Organisations like Clarion are taking significant steps to understand and reduce their carbon footprints by focusing on new builds and repairs. Collaborating closely with sustainability teams, they integrate sustainability criteria into their procurement processes, ensuring that projects, like property regeneration, align with environmental goals.
  
  
• [46:22] - How Procurement Can Drive Change: Procurement plays a key role in driving innovation within organisations, acting as a catalyst rather than an incubator. To foster innovation, it's essential to break down silos and encourage open collaboration across various teams, from sustainability to compliance. This means shifting from traditional requests for information to requests for outcomes, focusing on the desired results.

Episode Resources:

• Powering Procurement is bought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
• John Wallace on LinkedIn
• Clarion Housing Group Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Travis Crouch, Head of Commercial Systems and Intelligence for the UK Department of Health and Social Care. Together, they dive into the transformative power of procurement in the public health sector. Travis shares insights on why data is key for smart procurement strategies, how to navigate compliance challenges in a rapidly changing landscape, the importance of leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics to enhance procurement processes across the NHS, and how AI is set to transform public procurement.

Travis is a skilled expert in procurement, combining rich experience from both public and private sectors. He's led teams at Aviva and NHS Digital and has significantly impacted the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Now, at the DHSC and NHS, he's transforming procurement processes by harnessing advanced technologies and data-driven strategies to improve public health outcomes. Additionally, as an Associate Commercial Specialist for the Government Commercial Function, he shares his expertise to strengthen procurement capabilities across the government.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Highlights:

• [06:31] - How DHSC Is Leveraging Procurement to Save Big: Driving digital transformation in procurement at DHSC goes down to focusing on compliance with regulations while leveraging technology for strategic outcomes. The main priority for the team is to create efficient workflows and templates to ensure compliance, enabling them to gather aggregate data that reveals opportunities and risks in the supply chain. Success is measured through tough targets, adoption rates, and significant savings, like the £34 million identified from contract aggregation.
  
  
• [12:20] - Why Data Is Key for Smart Procurement Strategies: Harnessing quality data is essential for driving effective strategies and minimising risks. Without solid data, businesses face significant challenges in predicting potential issues. Implementing the right controls and using data-driven insights allows procurement teams to enhance their sourcing and supplier management efforts. Travis also notes that good data is key for making informed decisions, such as optimising team sizes and understanding spending trends.

• [19:10] - Innovating Within Regulatory Frameworks: To successfully introduce innovative practices in procurement within a regulatory framework, it's essential to strike a balance between compliance and creativity. Leveraging technology like automation can streamline processes while ensuring adherence to standards. Engaging commercial teams with training programs on new regulations empowers them and fosters excitement for the opportunities these changes present.

• [32:37] - How AI Is Set to Transform Public Procurement: AI is poised to revolutionise public procurement, enhancing efficiency and outcomes by leveraging advanced data analysis, automating documentation tasks, and enabling professionals to focus on strategic value. However, for this transformation to succeed, we need high-quality data, widespread adoption among users, and robust security measures to protect sensitive information.

Episode Resources:

• Travis Crouch on LinkedIn
• UK Department of Health and Social Care Website
• Government Commercial Function Website

Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Join hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch on Powering Procurement, a podcast by Atamis, as they dive into the evolving world of procurement. Hear from industry leaders and innovators on how digital technologies, AI, and data-driven decisions are reshaping the field. Get actionable strategies to enhance your procurement processes and stay ahead of the curve. Subscribe now and don't miss an episode! Powering Procurement is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so