CIPS Futures | The Procurement and Supply Chain Podcast — Podkast

Confronting nature loss and climate change: why it’s a procurement problem 26.05.2026 36min

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... Related links... Join The Great Conversation - share your perspectives with CIPS on the future of the profession Find out more about WWF New Zealand and the global WWF mission Useful CIPS resources for sustainable procurement Connect with CIPS Global Head of Sustainability, Maxfield Weiss

Chokepoints, supply webs and risk concentration: is your organisation resilient enough? 29.04.2026 31min

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. Related links: Join The Great Conversation - share your perspectives on the future of the profession Visit the CIPS Situation Room - get more advice and insight on how current events are affecting procurement and supply professionals Watch the CIPS Webinar assessing the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict Follow David Shillingford for more insight

Managing supply chain challenges: insights from NHS Supply Chain 31.03.2026 32min

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 02.03.2026 32min

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. Related links: Discover more about the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL) Find out how you can achieve NISCL-CSCL and MCIPS dual designation and what it can do for you About the Liquor Control Board of Ontario

"Play the game in front of you": steering through trade and commodity price turbulence – without a rulebook 09.02.2026 28min

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. Related links CIPS Pulse results Q4 2025: Procurement professionals sound the alarm for sustained consumer price increases in 2026 Find out more about commodity-pricing experts Fastmarkets, a CIPS Official Knowledge Partner Read Canadian Prime Minister's Mark Carney's full speech at Davos

Modern slavery: a survivor's story 18.12.2025 26min

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. Further reading Find out more about modern slavery support services Domus 8.7 and Unseen Read more about the work the CIPS Foundation does

A time of change: why co-innovation and resilience will define procurement success 27.10.2025 27min

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. Related links Find out more about becoming part of the global CIPS community Meet the CIPS Global Board of Trustees

CIPS Foundation tackles modern slavery: the five hundred billion dollar crime in your supply chain 06.10.2025 28min

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 26.09.2025 27min

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: Download: CIPS & resolutiion Breaking the Deadlock report Read: CIPS Intelligence hub - supplier relationship management Watch: Leveraging AI to improve conflict management in procurement Read: Interview with resolutiion CEO, Fayola Maria-Jack on how AI is benefitting procurement and supply 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 19.09.2025 25min

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: Download: CIPS & resolutiion Breaking the Deadlock report Read: CIPS Intelligence hub - supplier relationship management Watch: Leveraging AI to improve conflict management in procurement Read: Interview with resolutiion CEO, Fayola Maria-Jack on how AI is benefitting procurement and supply 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 12.09.2025 18min

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: Download: CIPS & resolutiion Breaking the Deadlock report Read: CIPS Intelligence hub - supplier relationship management Watch: Leveraging AI to improve conflict management in procurement 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 01.09.2025 30min

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 30.06.2025 38min

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: Cool heads in the storm: CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply 2025, supported by GEP CIPS ANZ regional hub Make CIPS your career companion - become a member 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 16.06.2025 32min

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: Purchase Professor Posner's new book - Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights CIPS Ethics eLearning and Test Read: demand fair pay and a living wage for your supply chain CIPS Foundation supports development of Modern Slavery Helpline

Professionalising procurement, part 2: raising the bar for all 09.06.2025 25min

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: About the Australian Public Service Commission's Procurement and Contract Management Profession CIPS ANZ regional hub Make CIPS your career companion - become a member 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

Professionalising procurement, part 1: recognition as a value driver 27.05.2025 32min

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: About the Australian Public Service Commission's Procurement and Contract Management Profession CIPS welcomes the announcement of Procurement and Contract Management as a professional stream CIPS ANZ regional hub Make CIPS your career companion - become a member 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

Trump's tariffs, global trade and what all this means for procurement and supply 30.04.2025 32min

"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: Join the discussion thread on the CIPS Community platform Dr John Glen's analysis of the CIPS Pulse Q1 2025 results Watch Dr John Glen speaking to international media outlets about supply chain disruptions CBS article: "Walmart, Target CEOs privately warned Trump tariffs could lead to empty shelves soon" CIPS resources and events: CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply CIPS Futures Conference - London, 1 July

Get to know your CEO: what's next for CIPS and the profession 07.04.2025 40min

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: Ben Farrell shares his insights from conversations with CIPS members in the Asia Pacific region The CIPS Foundation Watch: CEO Ben Farrell shares his vision for CIPS

Overcome imposter syndrome and be curious to free your potential 03.03.2025 36min

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: International Women’s Day CIPS Global voices: Inspirational women in procurement and supply

Unlocking procurement superpowers: how diverse skills and inclusive practices can drive team success 03.02.2025 24min

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: Salary guide hub Driving equality, diversity and inclusion: time to make this a priority