Procurement LIVE: How CPOs are Shaping their Strategy

Chief Procurement Officers from Jabil, British Council, Centric and Beazley will discuss how they are shaping their strategy amidst the volatility.

Chief Procurement Officers are now responsible for so much of a company’s success.

From ensuring they get the best deal to making sure they are cutting emissions across the value chain, the procurement team, and the leaders spearheading them, are arguably the most important function within the company.

Navigating modern supply chain volatility

This task is made even more difficult with the intense volatility they have to handle – from geopolitical tension around the world closing vital shipping pathways to the implementation of tariffs or regulations changing the way they have to operate overnight.

According to ProcureAbility’s 2026 Annual ProcureCon CPO Report, the top priority for CPOs in 2026 is enhancing supplier relationships and strategic partnerships. 55% of respondents indicated this is a high priority; 42% of respondents indicated this is a moderate priority.

The following top priorities are implementing AI-driven procurement automation (45%) and leveraging strategic sourcing and market intelligence to drive business growth (42%).

The three primary challenges facing CPOs in 2026 are talent acquisition and retention (54%), balancing cost reduction and growth demands (52%) and meeting sustainability and ESG compliance demands (46%).

As part of Procurement LIVE 2026, CPOs from Jabil, British Council, Centric and Beazley will take part in The CPO Strategy Summit, in association with Jabil, on September 9 (Day Two) at 10:45 – 11:30 (BST) to share insights on shaping procurement strategy in a rapidly evolving business environment. Panellists will explore leadership, transformation initiatives and aligning procurement with organisational objectives.

Secure your tickets here.

Driving value through collaboration

One of those taking part in the panel is Graham Scott, CPO at Jabil.

Speaking to Procurement Magazine earlier this year, Graham outlined how he is responsible for more than US$26bn in annual spend and a supplier network of around 38,000 partners as the company’s Chief Procurement Officer. He leads a team of more than a thousand procurement professionals around the world and is accountable for aligning procurement strategy with Jabil’s growth.

He said: “I am not a salesperson, but I do love the art of negotiation and the human side of procurement.

“People are central to every decision we make. That’s why my strategy focuses on treating people like people: building real relationships, fostering transparency and enabling collaboration.”

For Graham, procurement is about creating value through people and partnerships that enable business, rather than just cost. He is inspired by the character of the many entrepreneurs he has met throughout his career: “people who have not only the vision, but the stamina and grit to take an idea and turn it into a thriving organisation”. This spirit, he says, inspires a desire to foster similar qualities in himself and his organisation.

Graham will be joined by Andrew Swift, Chief Procurement Officer, British Council, Gerard Fokkema, Chief Procurement Officer, Centric and Hiten Parmar, Chief Procurement Officer, Beazley Group.

The four will discuss leadership, transformation initiatives and strategic procurement alignment with organisational objectives.

Secure your tickets today.

Meet the panel

Graham Scott, Chief Procurement Officer, Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services

As Chief Procurement Officer at Jabil, Graham Scott oversees more than US$26bn in annual spend and a global network of roughly 38,000 supplier partners.

Leading a team of over 1,000 procurement professionals worldwide, he is responsible for driving procurement strategies that directly fuel the company’s growth.

Andrew Swift, Chief Procurement Officer, British Council

As a globally experienced Chief Procurement Officer, Andrew brings over three decades of leadership across complex, regulated sectors including financial services, consulting, media, telecoms, hospitality, FMCG and public procurement.

Currently, he leads global procurement at the British Council, overseeing a high-performing team of 110+ professionals across 100+ countries, driving strategic sourcing, supplier innovation and sustainable value creation.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (FCIPS), he has consistently delivered transformative procurement strategies that align with broader organisational goals, enhance resilience and unlock commercial advantage. Andrew’s leadership is grounded in data-driven decision-making, stakeholder collaboration and a relentless focus on ethical, sustainable and inclusive supply chains.

Gerard Fokkema, Chief Procurement Officer, Centric

With over 10 years of experience as a procurement leader, Gerard specialises in strategic sourcing, marketing, logistics and sustainability across the full supply chain. He leads teams to align procurement strategies with both business goals and sustainability objectives.

Gerard has a proven track record of creating, recruiting and building high-performing, multicultural teams. Through his global procurement roles at Jacobs Douwe Egberts and FrieslandCampina, he has successfully optimised supply chains, driven cost efficiencies and fostered innovation.

Hiten Parmar, Chief Procurement Officer, Beazley Group

Hiten specialises in introducing, transforming and reshaping organisations in order to deliver growth and valuable outcomes. He understands that agility, innovation, optimisation and resilience across third parties and suppliers are central to organisational success. This knowledge is vital in today's climate of unpredictable data and changing markets.

He has led, advised and mentored leaders, organisations and a range of professional bodies as they undergo transformation and innovation. For more than 25 years, Hiten has worked across FSI, consulting, data, FMCG, pharmaceutical and technology sectors, gaining strong expertise in leadership and the role of procurement across various industries.

As a result, Hiten can offer keen insights into what the future of procurement holds and how to ensure the unlocking of value.

To see this panel, and the full agenda of the incredible two day event, secure your tickets for Procurement LIVE 2026.