A Procurement Podcast - The Reform Rundown

Hosted by Chris Robinson and Fleur Summers

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Jun 2026

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About the show

With 40 years combined public sector procurement experience, Chris and Fleur discuss the key features that will impact this sector as we edge closer to the launch of the Procurement Act 2023 which will be one of the largest changes that has been seen in this area for a number of years. Each episode as part of this podcast series will cover a bite-sized topic that we think you will be interested to know more about. If there are any areas that you would like us to discuss as part of future episodes or be a guest, please contact us at podcast@thereformfundown.co.uk

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52 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 5159 min

Episode 51 - CIPS Essex Branch Event - Contract Management & Contract Leverage

"Podcast Live on Tour - CIPS Essex Branch Event - Contract Management & Contract Leverage"Join Chris and Fleur in this special live podcast episode in conjunction with the CIPS Essex Branch. In this live recording which focuses on the event topic of Contract Management & Contract Management, Chris and Fleur are joined by the CIPS Essex Branch Chair (Tony Morris), Nick Smith (Head of Procurement, Get Living) and Barry Messenger (Procurement Specialist, Essex County Council). As part of the conversation, we look to explore the importance of contract management and the benefits that it can bring across both private and public sector contracting. Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

June 1, 2026Episode 501 hr 53 min

Episode 50 - 50 Not Out: Procurement, Podcasts, and the Idiot's Guide to Surviving the Procurement Galaxy

"50 Not Out: Procurement, Podcasts, and the Idiot's Guide to Surviving the Procurement Galaxy"Join Chris and Fleur in this special celebratory podcast episode to mark the incredible milestone of 50 published episodes!In this episode, Chris and Fleur take a look back at their podcast journey since the very first episode and discuss some of their highlights and key takeaways. In addition, they look to answer questions received from our listeners as well as give some insights into what is next for the podcast and what you can expect to see with future episodes. This was a very special episode for both Chris and Fleur, who are also joined by some of our previous guests who have shared special messages to celebrate this incredible milestone. Make sure to also listen/watch to the end as there is a very special message that they received from someone very respected within the Procurement community. Thank you to everyone who has listened, watched and joined Chris and Fleur on this procurement journey as well as supported them to get to this incredible milestone. Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

May 6, 2026Episode 491 hr 7 min

Episode 49 - From Policy to Practice: Procurement Reform, Public Value and Leading Change in Local Government

"From Policy to Practice: Procurement Reform, Public Value and Leading Change in Local Government"Join us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome Lewis Sinkala, Head of Procurement at Leeds City Council. This episode takes us back to our podcast roots as it focuses on public sector procurement, reform and how policy change actually translates into real-world outcomes. Lewis is a senior public sector procurement leader with a reputation for combining technical expertise with a strong sense of purpose covering procurement, social value, contract management, and public value creation.Check out Lewis's LinkedIn page here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-sinkala-350a7896/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

April 29, 2026Episode 481 hr 18 min

Episode 48 - Purpose, People and Performance - A Global Perspective on Modern Procurement Leadership

"Purpose, People and Performance - A Global Perspective on Modern Procurement Leadership"Join us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome Suresh Keshaven FCIPS Chartered to the podcast to talk all about modern procurement leadership. Suresh has shaped, elevated, and energised the procurement profession across India and the wider region. He is known for his passion, generosity, and relentless commitment to capability building. Suresh is the Chair of the CIPS India Branch, a transformation specialist across Oil & Gas and EPC supply chains, keynote speaker, mentor, and a long‑standing champion of the global procurement community. Suresh has received multiple awards for excellence, change leadership, operational performance, and community impact — and has become one of the most recognisable voices championing professional standards and procurement credibility across India. Check out Suresh's LinkedIn page here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suresh-keshavan-fcips-chartered-7501aa21b/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

April 22, 2026Episode 471 hr 10 min

Episode 47 - Cutting through the noise: Circular economy, climate action and making sustainability actually happen

"Cutting through the noise: Circular economy, climate action and making sustainability actually happen"Join us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome James George, Chief Sustainability Strategist from The Vyne Group to the podcast where they dive straight into the epicentre of sustainability, systems change, and what it really takes to move from climate ambition to climate action. James as many of our listeners will know is a no-nonsense voice on sustainability, circular economy, climate strategy, and leadership across business, government, and the non-profit sector.Check out James's LinkedIn page here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-a-george/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

April 15, 2026Episode 461 hr 18 min

Episode 46 - United in our Procurement Principles

"United in our Procurement Principles"Join us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome Harold Nwariaku FCIPS to the podcast. Harold is the County Head (USA) for CIPS; Managing Partner, PSCC LLC; and Author & Speaker, and assessor who has helped organisations benchmark capability and delivery measurable procurement improvements. Check out Harold's LinkedIn page here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroldnwariaku/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

April 8, 2026Episode 451 hr 6 min

Episode 45 - From RFI to Contract Closeout - Procurement Excellence in Poland's Renewable Boom

"From RFI to Contract Closeour - Procurement Excellence in Poland's Renewable BoomJoin us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome Ula Woronowicz, a Procurement leader with over 20 years' experience, over 15 years in energy, and someone who now plays a pivotal role in renewables and large-scale CAPEX projects. The conversation as part of this episode takes us over to Poland where we discuss with Ula all about the Energy market which is currently undergoing a sigificant transformation. Check out Ula's LinkedIn page here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/urszulaworonowicz/ Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

March 25, 2026Episode 4448 min

Episode 44 - Procurement in Defence: Where Innovation Meets Security

"Procurement in Defence: Where innovation Meets Security"Join us in this episode where Chris and Fleur welcome Saema Jaffer from the UK Ministry of Defence to the podcast for a conversation packed with insight, honesty, and some seriously thought‑provoking perspectives on the procurement profession. From Parliament to the Cabinet Office to HS2, Saema has seen (and shaped) procurement at the highest levels, including playing a part in the formative stages of the Procurement Act 2023.As mentioned in the episode, Saema will be at the CIPS Birmingham & Coventry branch event on Thursday 26th March delivering a Social Value themese presentation. Registration details can be found here: https://events.cips.org/ProcurementwithPurposeMaximisingSocialValueMinimisingModernSlaveryRiskCheck out Saema's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/saema-jaffer/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

March 16, 2026Episode 4351 min

Episode 43 - Stephen Seki is back and the tables have turned

"Stephen Seki is back and the tables have turned"Following the success of Episode 37 where we were joined by Stephen Seki (CEO of SekiSpeaks Ltd), the tables have turned in this episode and Stephen becomes the host of the podcast! Find out from Chris and Fleur all about their career backgrounds and how they got into Procurement as well as the opportunities that the profession enables! This is an episode not to be missed, where Chris and Fleur find out what it is like to be interviewed on a podcast episode!Check out Stephen's LinkedIn page here for more details - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenseki-motivationalspeaker/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk

March 9, 2026Episode 4254 min

Episode 42 - Women Empowering Defence - Inclusion, Leadership & the Future of Procurement

"Women Empowering Defence - Inclusion, Leadership & the Future of Procurement"In this episode of the podcast, we are celebrating leadership, diversity, and empowerment in the run up to International Women's Day on 8th March 2026, taking a moment to recognise the exceptional woment transforming defence and security. Chris and Fleur are joined by two remarkable leaders, Natalie Maddox-Hussain and Jodie Evans, who are the co-founders of Women Empowering Defence (WED) which is a voluntary movement created in 2023 to champion gender equality, inclusion and leadership across the defence sector. Check out the Women Empowering Defence (WED) website - https://womenempoweringdefence.comCheck out the Women Empowering Defence (WED) LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-empowering-defence/Check out Natalie's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-maddox-hussain-9603b58a/Check out Jodie's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-evans100/Don't forget to follow the podcast over on LinkedIn as we continue the discussion all around the Procurement Act 2023 and wider - www.linkedin.com/company/a-procurement-podcast-the-reform-rundownFleur's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-summers-mcips-314b3817/Chris's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-robinson-mcips-chartered-16597240/Contact Chris and Fleur at - podcast@thereformrundown.co.uk