Anticipating and adapting to future trends is not just advantageous – it's imperative. The ability to future-proof your procurement strategy determines your organisation's resilience and competitive edge. How do we think about the future? Crucially, how can we think about it better? How do we create compelling visions to navigate today’s volatile business environment? In this keynote, Dr. Graham Norris reveals how to elevate the strategic importance of procurement in your organisation by applying the techniques that futurists use.

Communications and storytelling guru Anthony ‘Tas’ Tasgal shares the tools you need to weave narrative into your communications and make your pitches more persuasive. How can procurement better influence stakeholders? Why does emotive storytelling often work better than sheer facts and data? Discover the power of storytelling and the key principles of how to structure your message from a CIPS trainer and acclaimed TEDx speaker.

Procurement is changing. Young people entering the profession are making an impact beyond just the bottom line. New skillsets and perspectives are required to make a success of the role. What are the new markers for success? Does the profession need to rethink its role in an organisation? Hear from young leaders who are creating a new blueprint for procurement and supply in exciting sectors such as sport and fintech. You’ll learn what it means to be a procurement and supply innovator in 2024.

Getting a supplier to do what you ask is one thing; mobilising your colleagues and internal stakeholders can be much tougher. Three experienced CPOs, with very different backgrounds, share insights on how to tell stories, position change, and influence decision-making in the organisation. Learn practical ways to improve the capability that separates the good from the great.

Procurement’s role as a business support function is over. Tomorrow's teams must be able to anticipate and drive change in line with their company’s key objectives – to “create movement”, as IKEA’s leaders explain it. How do you move the dial on sustainability, even at a multinational retailer? What role should procurement play in a company’s digital transformation ambitions? And why must you be able to transform a corporate strategy into meaningful and realistic objectives for the procurement function to take ownership of? Listen to IKEA’s story, and be inspired by procurement’s position to lead change within an organisation.

The public sector has the power to be a beacon for innovative procurement practices that not only drive efficiency but also create significant social value. Can a digital transformation programme unlock public sector procurement’s true strategic value? How can you inspire your procurement team to recognise their role in driving social value and supporting communities? Watch two trailblazing professionals share their stories. Specifically, how DEFRA automated tail spend of suppliers to unlock their team’s full potential to drive strategic value, while Essex County Council showcase the crucial role procurement played in improving patient outcomes in their community.

Procurement and supply functions will need a new mix of skills in the future. In-depth digital and sustainability literacy will be non-negotiables; leaders will need to understand their role in delivering a broader value proposition beyond cost. What mix does your team need? What does good look like? How do you embed a ‘beyond cost’ culture? Hear from pioneer and CIPS 2023 Leader of the Year, Anna Spinelli, on how to build a world-class procurement team to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.

Just having a dedicated department doesn’t make your organisation aware of the benefits that procurement and supply can bring. You need to build cultural understanding, embed good practice, and tackle resistance and “outlaw” behaviours. If you want to raise the profile of procurement and supply in your organisation, what are the critical first steps? And what are the main obstacles you’ll need to navigate? In these two first-hand presentations, you’ll hear from a global media group that centralised procurement to gain huge operational efficiency and enable people to “think differently” about procurement; and a pioneering technology company that’s embarking on a programme to create a “cost-conscious culture”.

The choices facing procurement and supply professionals can be excruciatingly complex. How do you balance multiple stakeholder interests? What’s most important: cost or environmental impact? Speed or reliability? In this keynote address, hear from one of the world’s pre-eminent ethical thinkers about navigating complexity in uniquely turbulent conditions.

Diversity comes in many forms. People who are neurodivergent or who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds can face significant obstacles in building a career. Is procurement and supply truly accessible to everyone? Is your organisation reaching into all corners of society to find great talent? How diverse is your own thinking? In this inspirational conversation, you will hear from procurement professionals who have faced adversity and, through careers in procurement, altered the trajectory of their lives.

Public procurement is changing. The new Procurement Act will “shake up the UK’s outdated system”, says the government. But where will public-sector professionals see the most immediate change? How should you be preparing your teams? And what new skills will public-sector procurement professionals need? Hear from a panel of public-sector procurement professionals and experts at the sharp end of the new legislation.

Imagine if purpose were at the core of every project you worked on – what could be achieved? The development of emergency vaccination programmes require purpose beyond measure to achieve success, as demonstrated by a global pandemic. Working at the heart of vaccine manufacturing operations, Alice Kan has important lessons to share from her experiences – lessons that will resonate strongly with the daily challenges faced by procurement and supply professionals. How do you best communicate with data and keep stakeholder’s attentions? How do you get the right people around the table to make decisions? Listen to a unique perspective of operating during Covid and be inspired by how purpose can be the driver of success for your own projects.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping work – and will probably transform the roles of procurement and supply professionals. What challenges and opportunities should you be considering? Where is AI being deployed well today, and what might be possible tomorrow? How do you embrace its potential while navigating complex ethical questions? A panel of practitioners and experts address these big questions, and try to answer that all-important question – will AI take my job?

Time is in short supply for procurement professionals. Technology is there to overcome this key challenge, yet many functions have yet to invest and take advantage of the efficiencies created. What are the obstacles to adoption? Where is a good starting point to begin digitising your function? And, what can specific procurement tech, such as e-procurement systems, automation and AI, practically do for you? Learn from RS as they reveal the findings of the 2024 Indirect Procurement Report and share tips on how to adopt and harness the power of technology to drive performance in your team.

Unlocking the future of inventory management requires AI functionality to ensure your business can meet demand with agility, speed, and precision. How can AI functionality accelerate inventory forecasting? What are the benefits of AI in optimising inventory? And, how does AI help when there are changes in demand and supply? Hear from global inventory management and demand planning experts on how AI functionality will unlock value from your inventory data to identify opportunities to reduce excess stock or stock-outs in real-time and rectify these situations before they even occur.

Smarter, agile and connected supply chains are the future, and digitalisation is the catalyst to achieving this goal. Yet the theoretical must now become the reality. What technology is available to procurement and supply professionals now, and in the future? How do you broaden your tech horizons and take advantage of innovative start-ups? And why does procurement need to empower itself and prioritise digitalisation? Learn the role of the UK’s Digital Catapult in accelerating the advent of digital supply chains and uncover the opportunities of technology such as AI for procurement from one of its pioneering start-up partners.

Your organisation is only as cyber-secure as your supply chain. The frequency and severity of cyber-attacks are accelerating at pace, and procurement leaders must ensure their supply chain remains resilient. How are high-profile organisations responding? Where are the emerging risks? What should you be doing to prepare? On this panel: an internal lead safeguarding a defence and aerospace giant; and a leading IoT and cyber expert.

The choices facing procurement and supply professionals can be excruciatingly complex. How do you balance multiple stakeholder interests? What’s most important: cost or environmental impact? Speed or reliability? In this keynote address, hear from one of the world’s pre-eminent ethical thinkers about navigating complexity in uniquely turbulent conditions.

Diversity comes in many forms. People who are neurodivergent or who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds can face significant obstacles in building a career. Is procurement and supply truly accessible to everyone? Is your organisation reaching into all corners of society to find great talent? How diverse is your own thinking? In this inspirational conversation, you will hear from procurement professionals who have faced adversity and, through careers in procurement, altered the trajectory of their lives.

Public procurement is changing. The new Procurement Act will “shake up the UK’s outdated system”, says the government. But where will public-sector professionals see the most immediate change? How should you be preparing your teams? And what new skills will public-sector procurement professionals need? Hear from a panel of public-sector procurement professionals and experts at the sharp end of the new legislation.

Imagine if purpose were at the core of every project you worked on – what could be achieved? The development of emergency vaccination programmes require purpose beyond measure to achieve success, as demonstrated by a global pandemic. Working at the heart of vaccine manufacturing operations, Alice Kan has important lessons to share from her experiences – lessons that will resonate strongly with the daily challenges faced by procurement and supply professionals. How do you best communicate with data and keep stakeholder’s attentions? How do you get the right people around the table to make decisions? Listen to a unique perspective of operating during Covid and be inspired by how purpose can be the driver of success for your own projects.

Geopolitical uncertainty, a move towards protectionism and environmental disasters have put pressure on procurement to reconfigure their global supply chains to minimise risk and increase security of supply. Is bringing the production of goods and products closer to the point of supply the answer? Is the example being set in Mexico going to be replicated in Europe? And what is the likely long-term impact on supply chains? CIPS' global economist will share new data from our recent State of Supply report and present his thoughts for the future.

Your organisation is only as cyber-secure as your supply chain. The frequency and severity of cyber-attacks are accelerating at pace, and procurement leaders must ensure their supply chain remains resilient. How are high-profile organisations responding? Where are the emerging risks? What should you be doing to prepare? On this panel: an internal lead safeguarding a defence and aerospace giant; and a leading IoT and cyber expert.

In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and climate challenges, the traditional supply chain model is facing unprecedented pressures. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for building resilient and adaptive supply chains. How are current geopolitical events reshaping global supply chains – and what’s coming down the track? In what ways might economic instability impact procurement planning? How is the global shipping community responding to uncertain times? This session brings together experts to dissect the global picture and help procurement and supply professionals navigate the multifaceted challenges they face.

Localising your supply chain and engaging SMEs has emerged as a key strategic approach to building resilience. Strengthening local supplier networks not only enhances supply chain stability, but also supports local economies and fosters innovation. How easy is this to do though? What are the specific benefits of engaging with local suppliers and what challenges might you face? How can you ensure that localisation and using SMEs doesn’t open up new risks in your supply chain? Hear from an inspiring project where local suppliers were a prerequisite from the start and have been fundamental to success, and learn the critical considerations when building a resilient supply chain through local partnerships from an expert tech provider.

The choices facing procurement and supply professionals can be excruciatingly complex. How do you balance multiple stakeholder interests? What’s most important: cost or environmental impact? Speed or reliability? In this keynote address, hear from one of the world’s pre-eminent ethical thinkers about navigating complexity in uniquely turbulent conditions.

Diversity comes in many forms. People who are neurodivergent or who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds can face significant obstacles in building a career. Is procurement and supply truly accessible to everyone? Is your organisation reaching into all corners of society to find great talent? How diverse is your own thinking? In this inspirational conversation, you will hear from procurement professionals who have faced adversity and, through careers in procurement, altered the trajectory of their lives.

Public procurement is changing. The new Procurement Act will “shake up the UK’s outdated system”, says the government. But where will public-sector professionals see the most immediate change? How should you be preparing your teams? And what new skills will public-sector procurement professionals need? Hear from a panel of public-sector procurement professionals and experts at the sharp end of the new legislation.

Imagine if purpose were at the core of every project you worked on – what could be achieved? The development of emergency vaccination programmes require purpose beyond measure to achieve success, as demonstrated by a global pandemic. Working at the heart of vaccine manufacturing operations, Alice Kan has important lessons to share from her experiences – lessons that will resonate strongly with the daily challenges faced by procurement and supply professionals. How do you best communicate with data and keep stakeholder’s attentions? How do you get the right people around the table to make decisions? Listen to a unique perspective of operating during Covid and be inspired by how purpose can be the driver of success for your own projects.

The challenges around modern slavery are intensifying as climate change leaves new populations vulnerable to exploitation. How should procurement and supply professionals respond and stay ahead of the curve? Where can you look for support in managing supply chain risk and ensure ethical behaviours are being adhered to further down the tiers? New research is revealed in this expert panel discussion, and you’ll learn how to challenge suppliers and go beyond surface data provided by third-party platforms.  

Localising your supply chain and engaging SMEs has emerged as a key strategic approach to building resilience. Strengthening local supplier networks not only enhances supply chain stability, but also supports local economies and fosters innovation. How easy is this to do though? What are the specific benefits of engaging with local suppliers and what challenges might you face? How can you ensure that localisation and using SMEs doesn’t open up new risks in your supply chain? Hear about an inspiring project where local suppliers were a prerequisite from the start and have been fundamental to success, and learn the critical considerations when building a resilient supply chain through local partnerships from an expert tech provider.

Procurement holds significant potential in combatting climate change, serving as a powerful lever for driving sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. Its role extends beyond mere transactional activities to become a strategic force for environmental stewardship and resilience. But what specific actions can procurement take to make a difference? Embedding minimum sustainability standards into contracts is one option, but what’s beyond this? How can you influence and support your suppliers’ suppliers to take action? A panel of those at the forefront of this fight offer their view and learn why procurement can be the catalyst to drive transformative change.

There is growing pressure on organisations to be a positive social force. And procurement and supply professionals will make this a reality. What are the most impactful actions in driving social value through your supply chain? What does good look like? And how can you convince your organisation to look beyond cost and insert social value into decision-making? In this live recording of the CIPS Futures Podcast, we explore what’s possible, even in the highly regulated financial services sector.  

Scope 3 measurement and reporting is now integral to procurement’s sustainability roadmap. But what’s coming next? Could generative AI be about to play its part? And what does current best practice look like? In this session, world-leading organisations share their lessons for success – from running supplier workshops to partnerships that create meaningful reductions in their carbon outputs.

The social in ESG has been trailing behind while businesses have been tackling the environmental impact of their organisation. Yet recent legislation has brought the social impact of businesses to the fore, and procurement teams play a critical role in this. What does the ‘S’ mean for procurement and the supply chain? Why is it becoming ever more urgent to address it? And what does best practice look like in doing so? This session will delve into the world of ‘S’, as you learn from a subject matter expert on how businesses across sectors are applying a social lens to step up their procurement game – from supplier diversity and sourcing, to vendor due diligence and management.

Estimating and tracking the carbon output of complex, multi-layered supply chains is no easy task. How do you best measure and report this data? Why are carbon emissions so difficult to measure? And how do you engage suppliers? Watch back this Scope 3 workshop, where one leading organisation will share their story, and get practical advice to help you get started on your own journey.  

Opening up opportunities to diverse suppliers isn’t just a moral imperative; it can give your organisation a strategic advantage. A genuinely diverse supply chain can be the engine of innovation, growth and positive brand reputation. How do you make sure diversity is embedded in decision-making? How do you support your own suppliers to escalate good practice? Hear powerful stories and actionable insights from procurement leaders who have successfully managed the complexities of supply chain diversification – and are reaping the benefits.

The choices facing procurement and supply professionals can be excruciatingly complex. How do you balance multiple stakeholder interests? What’s most important: cost or environmental impact? Speed or reliability? In this keynote address, hear from one of the world’s pre-eminent ethical thinkers about navigating complexity in uniquely turbulent conditions.

Diversity comes in many forms. People who are neurodivergent or who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds can face significant obstacles in building a career. Is procurement and supply truly accessible to everyone? Is your organisation reaching into all corners of society to find great talent? How diverse is your own thinking? In this inspirational conversation, you will hear from procurement professionals who have faced adversity and, through careers in procurement, altered the trajectory of their lives.

Public procurement is changing. The new Procurement Act will “shake up the UK’s outdated system”, says the government. But where will public-sector professionals see the most immediate change? How should you be preparing your teams? And what new skills will public-sector procurement professionals need? Hear from a panel of public-sector procurement professionals and experts at the sharp end of the new legislation.

Imagine if purpose were at the core of every project you worked on – what could be achieved? The development of emergency vaccination programmes require purpose beyond measure to achieve success, as demonstrated by a global pandemic. Working at the heart of vaccine manufacturing operations, Alice Kan has important lessons to share from her experiences – lessons that will resonate strongly with the daily challenges faced by procurement and supply professionals. How do you best communicate with data and keep stakeholder’s attentions? How do you get the right people around the table to make decisions? Listen to a unique perspective of operating during Covid and be inspired by how purpose can be the driver of success for your own projects.