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

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

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.   

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.   

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.   

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  

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

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

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

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  

"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

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  

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

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  

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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