Powering Procurement

In this episode of Powering Procurement , we’re joined by Tomos Lewis, Partner at Blake Morgan, who brings a grounded, real-world legal perspective to one of the most complex and evolving areas in the profession. Tomos’ journey into procurement law didn’t follow a typical path. From learning the basics the night before an interview to advising NHS England on nationally critical projects from day o...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , we’re joined by Simon Brindle, Director of Commercial and Procurement at Welsh Government, to explore how procurement is evolving into one of the most powerful levers for public sector impact. With over 30 years’ experience across government, HM Treasury and the private sector, Simon brings a unique perspective on how procurement can go far beyond buying g...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by Emma Briggs , Director of Procurement and Sustainability at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing , to explore the evolving role of procurement in the housing sector and why the profession is entering a new era of influence. Emma shares how she “fell into” procurement early in her career but quickly discovered the variety, problem solving and r...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by Olivia Hughes , Social Value Manager at Liverpool City Council , to explore how social value has evolved from policy ambition into a daily delivery requirement within local government. Olivia shares her journey from the private sector into public service, bringing a unique dual perspective from both supplier and client sides of procurement....

In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by Lorraine Sawyer , Procurement Director at Orbit Group , to explore what modern procurement leadership really looks like across regulated, purpose-led organisations. Lorraine shares her deliberately chosen journey into procurement, from studying the discipline at university through to senior leadership roles spanning heavy industry and housin...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by Nicola Cullen and Tom Beard from Capital Law to explore how procurement teams can manage legal risk with confidence under the new UK Procurement Act. Nicola and Tom bring complementary perspectives from non-contentious procurement advisory work and frontline procurement disputes. Together, they unpack what has really changed under the new le...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, we’re joined by Luke Banks , Global Head of Contracts and Procurement at Plastic Energy , a business at the forefront of transforming plastic waste into a truly circular economy. Luke shares his journey from engineering into procurement, explaining why his move was a deliberate career choice rather than an accident. With experience spanning manufacturing, c...

Welcome to a festive edition of Powering Procurement. To close out 2025, Sian and Gareth unwrap the top 12 myths that continue to shape perceptions of procurement across both public and private sectors. Drawing on insights from this year’s standout guests, including leaders from the FCA and the Cabinet Office, they explore why procurement is far more than cost cutting, why strong supplier relation...

The UK’s biggest procurement transformation in a generation is now live - but what does it really mean in practice? In this episode of Powering Procurement , host Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch sit down with Lindsay Maguire , Deputy Director for Procurement Reform at the UK Cabinet Office , to unpack the thinking, ambition and real-world impact behind the new Procurement Act . Lindsay has played a ce...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , host Sian Lloyd is joined by Paula Corfield , Senior Procurement Manager at Monmouthshire Building Society . With more than 20 years of experience spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, policing and finance, Paula has led procurement through complex change, cultural transformation and strategy development across multiple sectors. Together, Sian and Paula...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , host Sian Lloyd is joined by Sam Pickford , Head of Procurement at British International Investment (BII) , the UK’s development finance institution. With over 15 years of experience spanning transport, social care, finance, and international investment, Sam brings a rare blend of public sector depth and commercial edge . From leading a £320 million rollin...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , host Sian Lloyd is joined by Dominic Hastings , Chief Procurement Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) . With a career spanning public and private sectors - from the Foreign Office to NATS and now leading procurement at one of the UK’s most influential regulators - Dominic brings a wealth of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , host Sian Lloyd is joined by Harinder Bansal , Head of Procurement and Third Party Risk Management at Motability Operations . Harinder has built his career across retail, pharma, consulting and now one of the UK’s largest fleet operators, supporting more than 800,000 disabled customers. Beyond procurement and risk, he also leads Motability’s Reach Network,...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch sit down with Chris McLellan, Group Head of Procurement at Admiral Group, Wales’ only FTSE 100 company. Together, they explore critical challenges in modern procurement risk management. What You’ll Learn How to balance speed and due diligence through effective supplier segmentation and risk classification Why technology pla...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Travis Crouch sit down with Milind Tailor, Global Head of Resale Products and Services Procurement at Diebold Nixdorf. Together, they navigate "The 4 P's of Procurement" framework: Purpose, People, Planet, and Performance, as well as how AI, sustainability, and skill transformation are reshaping the function. What You’ll Learn: How to e...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Travis Crouch sit down with Sabrina Kelly, Contracts Management Specialist and Founder and Managing Director of B Plus Management Consultancy. Together, they explore the delicate balance between supplier collaboration and performance accountability, the transformative potential of AI in contract management, and practical strategies for...

In this episode of Powering Procurement , hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch sit down with sustainability expert Oliver Hurrey to explore the intersection of procurement and environmental responsibility. They discuss supplier engagement, data-driven solutions for scope three emissions, AI’s role in sustainability, and the importance of biodiversity. Tune in to discover how procurement professionals...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Nadia Stoykov, Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer at Tesca Group, to share her unconventional journey from law to procurement, why procurement deserves a seat at the strategic table, and how companies can unlock massive value by rethinking their procurement approach. With decades of experience spanning...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by John Coyne, Director of Commercial and Procurement at Birmingham City Council. Together, they dive into John's decades-long career, the power of procurement in driving social and economic impact, his vision for Birmingham’s future, and why AI and data are the next frontiers for public sector procurement. John'...

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Amy Anslow, Principal Consultant at Procurement Heads. Together, they dive into Amy's journey into procurement recruitment and her insights into the evolving landscape of the industry. She highlights the importance of attracting top talent, tackling challenges like unconscious bias, and leveraging AI in recrui...

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 susta...

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) t...

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...

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 tra...

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...