In this episode of Powering Procurement, host Sian Lloyd is joined by Sam Pickford, Head of Procurement at British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution. With over 15 years of experience spanning transport, social care, finance, and international investment, Sam brings a rare blend of public sector depth and commercial edge.
From leading a £320 million rolling stock renewal for London Underground to building a procurement function that now supports investments across Africa and Asia, Sam’s career offers powerful lessons on resilience, risk, and purpose-driven procurement.
Together, Sian and Sam explore:
The unique challenges of procurement in emerging markets
Balancing commercial priorities with social and development impact
What Brexit, Covid and global supply shocks have taught us about resilience
How AI and technology are reshaping procurement strategies
Why saying “yes” to opportunities can unlock a truly diverse career
Candid, insightful, and refreshingly pragmatic, this episode shines a light on the evolving role of procurement and why it’s a career path worth celebrating.
In this episode of Powering Procurement, host Sian Lloyd is joined by Dominic Hastings, Chief Procurement Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
With a career spanning public and private sectors - from the Foreign Office to NATS and now leading procurement at one of the UK’s most influential regulators - Dominic brings a wealth of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management and team leadership.
Together, Sian and Dominic explore:
How to build and sustain high-performing procurement teams in fast-changing environments
What the UK’s procurement reform means in practice, and how to embrace the new freedoms
The role of digital transformation in creating space for strategic impact
Why procurement’s voice must be heard in the language of business, not just procurement
The opportunities (and realities) of AI for procurement professionals today
From Oxford PPE graduate to global development, consultancy and now regulatory leadership, Dominic’s career is a testament to curiosity, adaptability and a passion for people. This conversation shines a light on why procurement remains such a rewarding and impactful profession.
In this episode of Powering Procurement, host Sian Lloyd is joined by Harinder Bansal, Head of Procurement and Third Party Risk Management at Motability Operations.
Harinder has built his career across retail, pharma, consulting and now one of the UK’s largest fleet operators, supporting more than 800,000 disabled customers.
Beyond procurement and risk, he also leads Motability’s Reach Network, championing equity and inclusion, and serves as Chair of Steps Charity. His work sits at the intersection of purpose, innovation and sustainability.
Together, Sian and Harinder explore how procurement teams can drive genuine environmental and social impact, from embedding ESG into supplier relationships to championing circular economy practices.
Harinder also shares candid insights on setting ambitious net zero targets, building psychological safety in teams, and why diversifying experience beyond procurement can strengthen leadership.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Motability is using its scale to embed ESG and lead the way on sustainability.
Practical approaches for balancing cost pressures with long-term social and environmental value.
The role of data in managing Scope 3 emissions and shaping supplier transparency.
Why networks like Reach matter for building inclusive workplaces.
How charitable and community work can shape leadership style.
If you’re interested in the future of procurement as a driver of change - not just savings - this episode is a must-listen.