Talent Talks Podcast
The Talent Talks Podcast provides regular insights and guidance to procurement and supply chain professionals. Host, Martin Smith interviews CPO's within large corporations and brands in the UK such as John Lewis, Mars, Babcock International, Managing Directors of procurement specialist companies including as Procurement Excellence and Embedded IT as well as thought-leaders and authors from the sector. Martin Smith, founder of Talent Drive is a specialist procurement and supply chain recruiter. He uses his network and expertise to provide insightful, thought provoking discussions, as well as providing tips on building your own career in the industry. The podcast is just one area of #projectprocurement; Martin's network of like-minded procurement professionals including webinars, content and events. Register your email to find out about our next meet-up and get involved: https://bit.ly/talenttalksmailinglist We'd love to hear your thoughts on the podcast, and do please reach out if you'd like to be a guest; martin@talentdrive.co.uk. All links and references at https://talentdrive.co.uk/
Episodes
109 episodes
Marching Forward: Ben Farrell’s Mission to Modernise Global Procurement
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 ...
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Episode 109
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48:43
The Future of NHS Procurement: Challenges, Leadership, and Patient Outcomes, with Richard Evans
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...
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Episode 108
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38:12
Leading Through Crisis: Procurement in a Startup World with Fraser McBeth
On this episode, Fraser McBeth, Procurement Director at Volta Trucks, shares his journey from working in established OEMs to leading procurement in a startup environment. He discusses the unique challenges faced during the transitio...
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Episode 107
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37:14
Talent Talks Live 2024: How Al is Shaping the Future of Procurement
On this episode of Talent Talks, Samuel De Frates, Kathryn Thompson and Bilal Shaykh discuss the transformative role of AI in procurement, exploring its potential to enhance supplier selection, risk management, and overall efficiency. ...
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Episode 106
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25:15
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Continuous learning and adaptation: Steps to success from John Butcher, Just Eat
On this episode, Martin Smith interviews John Butcher, the Procurement Director at Just Eat Takeaway. John shares his journey of building a procurement team from scratch, the challenges he faced, and the importance of hiring the rig...
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Episode 105
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27:18
Cultural Adaptability and Soft Skills: A New Era in Procurement with Canberk Incekara
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Canberk Incekara, Head of Indirect Procurement at OCS.Canberk shares his extensive experience in procurement and supply chains, discussing the evolution of the industry, the importance of understa...
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Episode 104
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25:21
Breaking Barriers: Diversity, Soft Skills and Rebranding Procurement with Nikki Wright
On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin sits down with Nikki Wright, Director of Operations at 10X Banking, as she shares her extensive experience in procurement and operations across various industries, particularly in the banking ...
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Episode 103
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47:18
Conscious Choices: Navigating Mental Health with Carl Ferrand
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Carl Ferrand, Head of Procurement at Specsavers. Carl shares his journey into procurement, emphasising the importance of people in leadership and the need to stand out when applying for posit...
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Episode 102
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39:56
Listening in Leadership: How to Build Trust in Procurement, with Jonathan Wharfe
On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin talks to Jonathan Wharfe, Director of Procurement and Commercial Operations at Transport for London.Jonathan shares insights from his extensive career in procurement. He emphasises the ...
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Episode 101
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44:21
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How to Make Money and be a Force for Good: 4C Associates B Corp story with Suzanna Hinnell
On this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, Martin speaks with Suzanna Hinnell, Operations and Marketing Director at 4C Associates, about B Corp and its impact on sustainable business practices. They discuss the certification proce...
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Episode 100
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43:57
Behind the Mic: The Talent Drive Story Ep #99
In this special episode of the Talent Talks podcast, we have a new host, Warren Munson, founder of Evolve and The Evolve to Succeed Podcast interview our normal host Martin Smith, about his journey as an entrepreneur and running a recruitment g...
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Episode 99
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51:52
Technology and ESG: Embracing Change with Emir Allen #98
In this episode Martin Smith interviews Emir Allen, the Managing Director of Talent Finance. They discuss Emir's background in the accountancy and finance world, the challenges and opportunities in the profession and the current lan...
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Episode 98
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13:04
Empowering Professionals with Shifa Nasir: Networking, Branding and Market Trends #97
In this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, our host Martin Smith speaks to Shifa Nasir, a procurement recruitment consultant at Talent Drive. Shifa discusses the power of networking and the current trends in the real estate and pr...
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Episode 97
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11:01
Procurement Evolution: From Industry to Consultancy with James Ball #96
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews James Ball, Associate Director at Infosys Portland.James discusses the differences between working in industry and working in consultancy in the procurement field. James shares his ins...
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Episode 96
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35:25
Sustaining Longevity and Success within Procurement Leadership, with Gavin Boswell #95
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Gavin Boswell, the Director of Procurement at Serco. They discuss Gavin’s 10-year career at Serco and the evolution of procurement over the past 30 years and the changing role of proc...
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Episode 95
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26:58
Building Relationships and Proving Value: Claire Bevan's Journey in Procurement at Dentsu #94
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Claire Bevan, Global Procurement Director at Dentsu. Claire discusses her career journey and the challenges and opportunities she has faced in driving a global procurement trans...
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Episode 94
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31:28
Empowering Procurement Professionals: Lessons Learned Over 40 Years Within Procurement With Alex Jennings #93
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Alex Jennings, an experienced procurement and commercial professional who has worked for companies such as GE and Toyota.They discuss Alex's career journey, his experience in managing teams, and t...
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Episode 93
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29:44
Procurement Perspectives: Unveiling Procurement's Strategic Value with Tom Hajek #92
In this episode, Martin Smith speaks to Tom Hajek, an independent consultant and head of strategic procurement at Checkatrade. They discuss the key ingredients for successful procurement transformation. Tom emphasises the importance...
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Episode 92
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29:29
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Diversity and Agility: Successful Hiring in Procurement with Brad Mills #91
SummaryIn this episode, Martin Smith interviews Brad Mills, the first recruit of Talent Drive, about his experience in procurement recruitment. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the retail and hospitalit...
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Episode 91
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16:06
From Sales to Procurement: Unveiling New Perspectives with Burberry's Ben Paynter #90
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Ben Paynter, Procurement Director of Burberry, about his journey into procurement and the challenges and opportunities in the industry. Ben shares his transition from sales to procurement an...
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Episode 90
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38:11
Procurement Power Moves: Strategies for Success in the Interim Market with Brian Lombard #89
In this episode of the Talent Talks podcast, Martin Smith interviews Brian Lombard, a manager at Talent Drive. Brian shares his background and how he transitioned from procurement into procurement recruitment. He primarily focuses ...
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Episode 89
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12:00
Embracing Challenges and Change to Succeed in the Ever-Evolving World of Procurement with Tim Elliott, Head of Procurement at Leaders Romans Group #88
“The most critical thing right now is to really develop the relationships with the people you work with, spend time with them understand them really well and form as trusting a relationship as you possibly can”...
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Episode 88
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36:37
Why Supplier Relationship Management is Second-to-None in Today’s Market with Head of SRM at Coventry Building Society, Rebecca Howard #87
“We need suppliers who understand what it's like from underrepresented groups’ perspectives, because those often are the groups that we're looking to speak to.”Supplier diversity is essential to any good procurement professional...
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Episode 87
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45:39
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Push the Comfort Zone and Stand Out: Part 2 with Head of Procurement & Properties at Bibby Financial Services, Tom Mills #86
“Really push yourself out there - pushing your comfort zone is where you really feel alive.”Soft skills in procurement are one thing, but employing them to become one of procurement’s most prominent names on social media is anot...
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Episode 86
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20:23
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The Evolution of Soft Skills & How to Flip the Narrative: Part 1 with Head of Procurement & Properties at Bibby Financial Services, Tom Mills #85
“Everyone should be learning right through their career. It's actually the power of saying very little, and listening.”Soft skills are an undoubtedly vital part of any procurement professional’s skillset, but it’s such a vague t...
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Episode 85
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22:24
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