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.
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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:
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