Environmental, Social & Governance Zone
The importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in public procurement is rapidly growing as organisations and their supply chains are increasingly held accountable for their impact on the environment and society, and understanding their social value and sustainability requirements will be critical for organisations navigating the procurement process.
The Environmental, Social & Governance Zone at Procurex England will host several sessions dedicated to exploring the role of public procurement in delivering social and community benefits, and advise on how buyers and suppliers can play their part in helping the UK achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Confirmed speakers include
Malcolm Harbour
Chair of IPEC Research
Malcolm Harbour is an Associate Director of CPC, with an expert steering role in the ‘Challenging Procurement” programme and in the development of IPEC. Chairs the Consortium for Research in Innovative and Strategic Public Procurement (CRISPP).
Alex Holden
Assistant Head of Procurement Reform
Alex is the Comms and Engagement Lead, as well as also leading the L&D implementation roll out within the Procurement Reform team in MOD. Her role involves engaging with stakeholders from within the commercial function, as well as the wider Department and with Industry colleague alike, and ensuring that they are all fully aware of the reforms, and feel empowered and confident moving towards Go Live. Alex has been in the Procurement Reform team since February 2021, but before that has worked in Commercial Strategic roles, such as EU Exit, Def-Comrcl Covid19 crisis response and Strategic Supplier management. She also has experience in Commercial Delivery roles, having joined the Department under the Graduate commercial Scheme.
Benjamin English
Head of Procurement Reform
As Head of Procurement Reform, Ben is responsible for leading the MOD’s defence and security elements of the Cabinet Office led Procurement Bill. Working closely with the Cabinet Office, Ben leads a multi-functional team, bringing together commercial, legal and change delivery expertise ensuring the provisions within the Procurement Bill meet the requirements of Defence and that these provisions are fully scrutinised via the Parliamentary Process. An equal priority for Ben focuses on preparation for implementation of the new rules. Working alongside colleagues within the MOD and CO, but also with colleagues from industry, Ben recognises the success of the new rules is dependent on sufficient training, understand and preparation ahead of the go live date. Ben is a career civil servant, working in the MOD for the past three years programme managing the development of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy before joining Defence Commercial. Prior to the MOD Ben spent 10 years in the Ministry of Justice working in a variety of fields, including policy, strategy, operations, Private Office and estates. Ben has a proven track record of working in high-profile and pressured environments, bringing his enthusiasm and positivity to those challenges and always delivering on time.
Amy Noble
Director of Procurement
Amy Noble, an accomplished and dynamic leader, currently serves as the Director of Procurement at The University of Liverpool, shaping consistent and sustainable strategies across departments. Her emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, stakeholder understanding, and effective contract activities reflects her commitment to streamlining operations and creating a value-driven procurement ecosystem. Amy is known for fostering innovation, overcoming challenges, and bringing strategic foresight to create an effective and forward-thinking procurement framework at the University. Her journey is marked by a dedication to excellence, adaptability, and a focus on sustainability and efficiency, contributing to continuous process improvements within her team.”
Catherine Proudlove
SME Lead - Defence Commercial
We protect the security, independence and interests of the United Kingdom at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the UK’s Armed Forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Alison Kerfoot
Head of ICS Procurement Solutions
Alison started her Procurement career as a graduate with BAE systems working on complex and collaborative international joint ventures. This was a fascinating intro to the world of strategic supplier relationships and organisational partnering to achieve great success – both collaboration and excellence have continued to be at the heart of Alison’s values. As a working mum she sought out an equally challenging role, minus the international travel, in NHS procurement with the North West Collaborative Procurement Hub, later acquired by NHS SBS in 2011. She now has over 20 years experience in the complete procurement lifecycle, specialising in collaborative procurement and commissioning. Alison has always been immensely passionate and proud to be a leader in developing her approach to effectively procuring healthcare services. This led her to create NHS SBS’s Healthcare Improvement Solutions service designed to enable collaboration whilst navigating procurement law, which she believes is fundamental to transformation for ICSs. In 2019 as a strategic partner to Greater Manchester, she led the procurement support for NHS SBS to create the Nightingale hospital, building on years of service and partnership to this vast and complex ICS. With years of experience working with commissioners and providers nationally, across the whole patient pathway, Alison continues to support NHS systems in navigating procurement legislation and policy to achieve effective integration. In her role as ICS Solutions lead for NHS SBS, she is now also responsible for advising ICS finance and procurement leaders to design and create single integrated procurement functions to maximise the use of technology and data to unlock strategic procurement value.
Stuart McAndrew
Sales & Service Director
Cadence Marketing specialises in connecting your business with public sector buyers at the right time through data-driven and targeted marketing solutions. Based near MediaCityUK, Greater Manchester, our team of enthusiastic experts deliver B2G marketing campaigns to boost our clients public and private sector success.
Dawn MacTaggart
Key Account Manager
Tracker is the only end-to-end business development solution with the unique intelligence you need to find, bid for and win more business. With access to Europe’s largest database of opportunities and competitive insights – you can engage earlier to sell more effectively and win more business. And Tracker’s just got even better – now you can also upload opportunity documents and manage your bid responses all in the one place. Focus on winning business – not looking for it.
Gemma Waring
Procurement Consultant
Gemma Waring is a qualified bid writer, trainer, and coach. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Gemma has worked in the sector for 20 years and her career has been marked by exceptional achievements due to her determination to succeed and her passion for empowering others. A beacon of diligence and reliability, Gemma is recognised for setting and upholding high standards. Her enthusiasm for the procurement sector is infectious, propelling her to stay abreast of industry developments and generously share her knowledge, including being a key played in the roll out of the Procurement Act 2023. Gemma's dedication recently earned her the prestigious title of Runner Up in the APMP UK's annual awards in the Supplier of the Year category and seen her continuously develop her own skills as an advocate of life-long learning. At the helm of G Waring Consulting Ltd since 2019, Gemma orchestrates success in public sector tendering and procurement projects – securing new business and successful outcomes across the board. Notable accomplishments include bid writing endeavours for blue-chip companies, securing multimillion pound contracts, working with Scottish Government on a national training campaign, and securing successful outcomes in complex multi supplier / multi lot frameworks and DPSs. In her role as Lead Trainer and Skills Coach for the Bid Coordinator Apprenticeship, Gemma also runs multiple cohorts, shaping training content, and assessing learners for long term development and supporting new entrants to the sector to grow and flourish. Gemma Waring is not just a consultant and trainer; she is a driving force behind transformative change, infusing every project with unmatched enthusiasm and expertise.
Michael Murray
NEPRO Lead
Since 1976, NEPO has worked in partnership with North East local authorities on the strategic procurement of high value goods and services in order to deliver savings, maximise efficiencies and promote best practice. Collaboration is at the heart of everything that NEPO does. Our procurement solutions are the result of extensive consultation with the public sector, suppliers and end-users, so that we deliver positive outcomes for the communities we serve.
Francesca Bowers
Client Lead - Payments for Good
Blackhawk Network (BHN) delivers branded payment solutions through the prepaid products, technologies and network that connect brands and people. We collaborate with our partners to innovate, translating market trends in branded payments to increase reach, loyalty, and revenue, and we reliably execute security-minded solutions worldwide.
Jose Bachoir
Senior Business Development Manager
Blackhawk Network (BHN) delivers branded payment solutions through the prepaid products, technologies and network that connect brands and people. We collaborate with our partners to innovate, translating market trends in branded payments to increase reach, loyalty, and revenue, and we reliably execute security-minded solutions worldwide.
Darren Shenkin
Head of Network Strategy
Darren is a telecoms industry specialist with extensive experience building company strategies in both start-up and blue chip organisations. At ITS Darren leads the network strategy, bringing industry knowledge, market intel, exceptional analytical skills and commercial acumen to evolve the ITS network offering in the marketplace. He supports all activities that include collaborating with local authorities, government bodies and frameworks to drive the rollout of full fibre infrastructure in the UK.
Tracey Dawes
Solutions Director
Tracey Dawes, Solutions Director at Reed Talent Solutions, has over 20 years of recruitment experience, she partners with clients across the public sector to design and implement bespoke recruitment and resourcing solutions to meet clients current and future workforce plans.
Lucy Simpson
Category Manager - HR and People
As a leading public sector procurement organisation with 50 years’ experience, YPO not only has a huge range of products and services at market-leading prices, but most importantly, the expertise to help you find the best solution.