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 discusses leadership lessons learned from the Army, the art of supplier relationships, the challenges of attracting new procurement talent and how AI will shape the future of commercial decision-making.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea.

Tune in for a masterclass in leadership, strategy and staying adaptable in an ever-changing procurement landscape.

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Some of the key moments during this podcast include:

How Rob started his career in procurement after the Army

Lessons learned from Ford’s legendary graduate program

Building lasting supplier relationships and trust

Adapting across industries: retail, energy and financial services

What defines “the buyer’s instinct” and how to spot it

How procurement has evolved over three decades

The growing role of risk management and cyber resilience

Why graduate programs are disappearing, and why that’s a problem

Rob’s advice for aspiring CPOs

How AI and automation could enhance, not replace, procurement

Soundbites

“You can be fact-driven without being horrible.”

“The buyer’s instinct. You either have it or you don’t.”

“Procurement isn’t just about savings anymore. It’s about resilience and relationships.”

“As a leader, it’s not about winning every argument. It’s about helping your team make great decisions.”

“Treat suppliers well. It’s a small industry, you’ll meet them again.”

“We’ve lost too many graduate programs, and the profession will feel that gap.”

“Curiosity has taken me further than ambition ever did.”

“AI will enhance procurement. It won’t replace human instinct.”

“Preparation is everything. You can’t fake being ready.”

“If you want to be a great CPO, keep lifting the bonnet and stay curious.”

Chapters

00:00 – Intro

01:00 – Early Career and Army lessons

03:00 – Learning the Foundations at Ford

05:20 – Building Strong Supplier Relationships

08:10 – Adapting Across Industries

11:50 – How Procurement has Evolved

13:10 – Buyer’s Instinct

18:00 – Balancing Risk and Commerciality

20:40 – Leadership Lessons and Developing Teams

24:30 – The Future of Procurement Talent

30:10 – Advice for Aspiring CPOs

37:00 – Quickfire Questions

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 of creating a supportive environment for career development in procurement.

They explore the challenges and opportunities facing procurement professionals today, particularly in the context of global supply chains and the integration of AI. Additionally, the conversation touches on Ben’s involvement with the Invictus Games Foundation.

Some of the key moments during this podcast include:

Ben Farrell joined CIPS to drive change in procurement.

Human emotion plays a crucial role in leadership effectiveness.

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging but rewarding.

CIPS has the potential to be a global leader in procurement.

Ben aims to make CIPS more inclusive and relevant to all stages of a procurement career.

The future of procurement requires adapting to changing global dynamics.

Marketing the procurement profession is crucial for attracting new talent.

Procurement must shift from a process-oriented mindset to a strategic one.

Global supply chains require resilience and adaptability in the face of disruptions.

The Invictus Games Foundation supports the recovery of wounded servicemen and women.

Talent in procurement is about finding the right fit for individuals.

Continuous improvement is essential for professional bodies to remain relevant.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ben Farrell

01:15 Early Career and Military Background

04:37 Leadership Lessons from the Army

08:00 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

12:17 Experiences at John Lewis

15:33 Becoming CEO of CIPS

18:40 Global Perspectives on Procurement

20:17 Challenges and Opportunities for CIPS

25:26 Marketing the Procurement Profession

30:11 The Future of Procurement

34:22 Navigating Challenges in Procurement

38:50 Global Supply Chains

43:01 Invictus Games Foundation

45:58 Defining Talent in Procurement

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, and the evolving landscape of procurement, particularly in the healthcare sector.

Richard also reflects on his career and the skills he values in procurement talent, concluding with quickfire questions about his inspirations and views on the future of procurement.

Takeaways

Collaboration and people management are key to successful procurement.

Integrating previously separate organisations into one cohesive unit has been a challenge for the NHS Supply Chain.

Value-based procurement is essential for improving patient outcomes.

Richard advocates for a people-first approach in leadership.

Adaptability and agility are crucial in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.

The future of procurement is pivotal, with a focus on innovation and technology.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:55 From Consultancy to NHS Supply Chain

05:49 Purpose in Procurement

09:10 Challenges in NHS Supply Chain

12:05 Team Management

15:02 Change in the NHS

17:52 Qualities in Procurement Talent

21:13 Future of Procurement

24:02 Reflections on Career

26:47 Quickfire Questions