Talent Talks Podcast

Procurement has a reputation problem, but what if it could become one of the most strategic, human-led functions in a modern business? In this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, we sit down with Darren Bosman , an experienced procurement leader who has built and scaled functions across continents and industries. From South Africa and the Seychelles to the UK, Darren brings a global perspective s...

How does someone with no procurement background end up building one of Europe’s fastest-growing procure-tech companies? In this episode of Talent Talks, Martin Smith sits down with Ben Freeman, co-founder and CEO of Omnea, the AI-native intake and orchestration platform transforming how companies like Spotify, Wise, Monzo and Adecco manage spend, supplier risk and procurement workflows. Ben shares...

What does it take to grow from a young apprentice to leading global procurement transformation? In this episode of Talent Talks, Leigh Hurrell, Director of Indirect Procurement at Entrust, joins Martin Smith to discuss his two-decade journey through aerospace, defence and technology. From BAE Systems, Thales, Onfido and now Entrust.  Leigh shares how he built a career grounded in curiosity, long-t...

On this episode of Talent Talks, Rob Douglas joins Martin Smith to share lessons from a remarkable 30-year career spanning Ford, Capgemini, Barclays, Currys, National Grid, and Direct Line Group. From his first role in “purchasing” to his evolution as Chief Procurement Officer, Rob reveals what it takes to build influence, lead through change and stay curious in a fast-evolving profession. He disc...

Summary What happens when you bring sport, leadership, and purpose into procurement? In this episode of Talent Talks, host Martin Smith sits down with Stuart Farrell, Group Procurement Director across the FFTL portfolio (including All Points, Cuckoo Broadband and FFTL itself).  With more than 25 years of global procurement experience at companies like Vodafone, Fujitsu and HPE, Stuart shares his j...

On this episode, Ben Farrell MBE, discusses his journey from a 23-year military career to becoming the CEO of CIPS.  He shares insights on leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the challenges and opportunities in the procurement profession.  Ben emphasises the need for CIPS to evolve and better represent procurement professionals globally, while also highlighting the importance...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Richard Evans, Executive Commercial Director for NHS Supply Chain.  Richard shares valuable insights from his extensive career in procurement, discussing his transition from consultancy to the NHS, the importance of purpose in his work, and the challenges faced by the NHS Supply Chain.  He emphasises the need for collaboration, effective team management, an...

On this episode, Fraser McBeth, Procurement Director at Volta Trucks, shares his journey from working in established OEMs to leading procurement in a startup environment.  He discusses the unique challenges faced during the transition, particularly during the company's bankruptcy, and how he navigated these difficult times while maintaining team morale and supplier relationships.  Fraser emph...

On this episode of Talent Talks, Samuel De Frates, Kathryn Thompson and Bilal Shaykh discuss the transformative role of AI in procurement, exploring its potential to enhance supplier selection, risk management, and overall efficiency.  They delve into the challenges faced by procurement professionals, the risks associated with AI implementation, and the importance of addressing resistance to chang...

On this episode, Martin Smith interviews John Butcher, the Procurement Director at Just Eat Takeaway.  John shares his journey of building a procurement team from scratch, the challenges he faced, and the importance of hiring the right talent.  He discusses the evolving procurement landscape, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the industry. ...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Canberk Incekara, Head of Indirect Procurement at OCS. Canberk shares his extensive experience in procurement and supply chains, discussing the evolution of the industry, the importance of understanding the end-to-end value chain, and the challenges of navigating external factors like COVID and Brexit.  He emphasises the need for a balance between globalisa...

On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin sits down with Nikki Wright, Director of Operations at 10X Banking, as she shares her extensive experience in procurement and operations across various industries, particularly in the banking sector.    She discusses the complexities of navigating procurement within a heavily regulated environment, the balance between compliance and agility, and...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Carl Ferrand, Head of Procurement at Specsavers.  Carl shares his journey into procurement, emphasising the importance of people in leadership and the need to stand out when applying for positions. He discusses the evolution of procurement, highlighting the increasing responsibilities and skills required in the field, and offers valuable advice for aspiring...

On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin talks to Jonathan Wharfe, Director of Procurement and Commercial Operations at Transport for London. Jonathan shares insights from his extensive career in procurement. He emphasises the importance of building communities, listening to stakeholders and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.  Jonathan discusses the evolution of procurement...

On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin speaks with Suzanna Hinnell, Operations and Marketing Director at 4C Associates, about B Corp and its impact on sustainable business practices.  They discuss the certification process, the importance of ethical business, and how B Corp helps attract talent and engage clients. Suzanna shares her personal passion for sustainability and how business...

In this special episode of the Talent Talks podcast, we have a new host, Warren Munson, founder of Evolve and The Evolve to Succeed Podcast interview our normal host Martin Smith, about his journey as an entrepreneur and running a recruitment group of businesses.  Martin shares his early experiences in recruitment, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth of his company...

In this episode Martin Smith interviews Emir Allen, the Managing Director of Talent Finance.  They discuss Emir's background in the accountancy and finance world, the challenges and opportunities in the profession and the current landscape of the market.  They also touch on the importance of embracing technology and focusing on value-add, as well as the role of ESG in business.  Emir provides...

In this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, our host Martin Smith speaks to Shifa Nasir, a procurement recruitment consultant at Talent Drive.  Shifa discusses the power of networking and the current trends in the real estate and property market.  Shifa shares her insights into the procurement industry and offers advice for candidates looking for new roles.  She also discusses the importance of b...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews James Ball, Associate Director at Infosys Portland. James discusses the differences between working in industry and working in consultancy in the procurement field.  James shares his insights based on his 25 years of experience in procurement, with 15 years in industry and the last 10 years in consultancy.  He discusses the differences in thought processes,...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Gavin Boswell, the Director of Procurement at Serco.  They discuss Gavin’s 10-year career at Serco and the evolution of procurement over the past 30 years and the changing role of procurement professionals.  They also explore the value proposition of procurement and the different methods used to deliver cost reduction and value optimisation.  Gavin discusse...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Claire Bevan, Global Procurement Director at Dentsu.  Claire discusses her career journey and the challenges and opportunities she has faced in driving a global procurement transformation.  Claire emphasises the importance of building relationships with stakeholders and proving the value of procurement. She shares her advice for aspiring procurement leaders...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Alex Jennings, an experienced procurement and commercial professional who has worked for companies such as GE and Toyota. They discuss Alex's career journey, his experience in managing teams, and the changes in the procurement profession.  They also delve into Alex's entrepreneurial journey and the launch of his procurement platform, the Alchemie...

In this episode, Martin Smith speaks to Tom Hajek, an independent consultant and head of strategic procurement at Checkatrade. They discuss the key ingredients for successful procurement transformation.  Tom emphasises the importance of aligning procurement with high-level business objectives and applying a framework of people, processes, and technology. Tom also shares his methodology for priorit...

Summary In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Brad Mills, the first recruit of Talent Drive, about his experience in procurement recruitment.  They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the retail and hospitality sector, the market outlook for 2024, and the changes in procurement recruitment over the years.  Brad shares tips for hiring and emphasises the importance of diversity and agilit...

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Ben Paynter, Procurement Director of Burberry, about his journey into procurement and the challenges and opportunities in the industry.  Ben shares his transition from sales to procurement and his passion for bringing non-procurement professionals into the field. He discusses the unique challenges of procurement in the retail sector and the need for skill s...