P&SC LIVE: Q&A With Jacqui Rock, CCO at NHS Supply Chain

Jackie Rock, the Chief Commercial Officer for NHS England, oversees all procurement, governance and control for the NHS.

This involves managing approximately £30bn in spending and dealing with more than 80,000 suppliers. It's certainly a challenging role, but - as she outlines - immensely rewarding.

We caught her for a quick chat after her keynote speech at P&SC LIVE. 

What initially inspired you to get involved in procurement and how has your view of the field evolved over time?

Many people say they 'fell' into procurement, but that wasn’t the case for me. I made a conscious and deliberate choice to pursue a career in procurement.

While working in the private sector, I noticed how inefficient procurement processes could be and I realised there was a significant opportunity for improvement.

So, I decided to specialise in this area, obtaining the necessary qualifications and learning from others’ practices.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve built my career by focusing on commercial strategy and supply chain management, watching how both good and bad procurement practices unfold.

Looking ahead, what innovations or trends in procurement excite you the most?

It’s a truly exciting time for procurement and supply chain management, as the world is changing rapidly.

Recent global events, such as the pandemic, have shown us how essential it is to build resilient supply chains.

We need to be adaptable and that requires leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations. If we don’t keep pace with these technological changes, we risk being left behind.

I’m particularly enthusiastic about the potential for us not only to adapt but to lead in the field of supply chain resilience, setting the standard for others to follow.

What has been your highlight from the event so far?

The event has been fantastic. It’s been great to interact with various Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) and suppliers from different industries, gaining insights into how others approach procurement.

People are particularly interested in what we’re doing within the NHS, so I’ve had the opportunity to talk about our ongoing transformation journey.

The agenda has been quite diverse and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the event.

How do events like Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE contribute to the broader procurement community?

Events like this are crucial in reinforcing our community and solidifying procurement as a professional discipline.

After my keynote today, someone asked how we could encourage younger people to enter the field of procurement.

That’s something we need to focus on, going into schools and universities to communicate the career opportunities available.

When we gather at events like this, it’s a chance to publicly share ideas, showcase our work and explore creative ways to raise awareness about the vital role procurement plays across industries.

How do you see procurement practices within your organisation evolving over the next five years?

The NHS is undergoing a significant transformation, not only within procurement and supply chain but across the entire organisation.

Our transformation must align with the NHS's core objectives and broader reforms, which are set to unfold over the next decade.

From a procurement standpoint, our primary focus will be on ensuring that our technology architecture is up-to-date, equipping the 4,000 NHS staff involved in procurement with the best tools to perform their roles effectively.

We’re also committed to professionalising the workforce. With such a large team, we want to ensure that procurement becomes a career of choice within the NHS, from entry-level positions right through to senior roles. Retaining and developing talent is a priority.

Additionally, the NHS’s scale is a unique advantage, with £30bn of spending. As the largest government spender, we have a responsibility to ensure this money is used wisely. Part of our transformation strategy involves delving into specific areas where we can make targeted improvements.

One of the most exciting developments in the coming years is that the NHS procurement community has now come together with a unified strategy.

By aligning our approach, we’ll be able to achieve the best possible outcomes, which will directly benefit frontline services and, most importantly, patient care.

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE 2024. 

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