Talent Talks Podcast

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Talent Talks Podcast

Talent Drive

113 episodes

4 weeks ago

How does someone with no procurement background end up building one of Europe’s fastest-growing procure-tech companies? In this episode of Talent Talks, Martin Smith sits down with Ben Freeman, co-founder and CEO of Omnea, the AI-native intake and orchestration platform transforming how companies like Spotify, Wise, Monzo and Adecco manage spend, supplier risk and procurement workflows. Ben shares his unexpected path into procurement tech, from founding cybersecurity scale-up Tessian to spend...

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How does someone with no procurement background end up building one of Europe’s fastest-growing procure-tech companies? In this episode of Talent Talks, Martin Smith sits down with Ben Freeman, co-founder and CEO of Omnea, the AI-native intake and orchestration platform transforming how companies like Spotify, Wise, Monzo and Adecco manage spend, supplier risk and procurement workflows. Ben shares his unexpected path into procurement tech, from founding cybersecurity scale-up Tessian to spend...

Show more...

Episodes (20/113)

Talent Talks Podcast

Ben Freeman on AI, Procurement and Scaling Omnea

How does someone with no procurement background end up building one of Europe’s fastest-growing procure-tech companies? In this episode of Talent Talks, Martin Smith sits down with Ben Freeman, co-founder and CEO of Omnea, the AI-native intake and orchestration platform transforming how companies like Spotify, Wise, Monzo and Adecco manage spend, supplier risk and procurement workflows. Ben shares his unexpected path into procurement tech, from founding cybersecurity scale-up Tessian to spend...

4 weeks ago

36 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

From Apprentice to Procurement Director: Leigh Hurrell's Journey

What does it take to grow from a young apprentice to leading global procurement transformation? In this episode of Talent Talks, Leigh Hurrell, Director of Indirect Procurement at Entrust, joins Martin Smith to discuss his two-decade journey through aerospace, defence and technology. From BAE Systems, Thales, Onfido and now Entrust. Leigh shares how he built a career grounded in curiosity, long-term planning and a deep belief in the value of trust and relationships. Leigh offers practic...

1 month ago

39 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

Building Procurement Influence, Insights from Rob Douglas

On this episode of Talent Talks, Rob Douglas joins Martin Smith to share lessons from a remarkable 30-year career spanning Ford, Capgemini, Barclays, Currys, National Grid, and Direct Line Group. From his first role in “purchasing” to his evolution as Chief Procurement Officer, Rob reveals what it takes to build influence, lead through change and stay curious in a fast-evolving profession. He discusses leadership lessons learned from the Army, the art of supplier relationships, the challenges...

2 months ago

41 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

The Power of Sport in Business with Stuart Farrell

Summary What happens when you bring sport, leadership, and purpose into procurement? In this episode of Talent Talks, host Martin Smith sits down with Stuart Farrell, Group Procurement Director across the FFTL portfolio (including All Points, Cuckoo Broadband and FFTL itself). With more than 25 years of global procurement experience at companies like Vodafone, Fujitsu and HPE, Stuart shares his journey from “falling into procurement” to leading transformation across multiple industries....

2 months ago

52 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 the procurement profession. Ben emphasises the need for CIPS to evolve and better represent procurement professionals globally, while also highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment for career development in procurement. They...

8 months ago

48 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 NHS, the importance of purpose in his work, and the challenges faced by the NHS Supply Chain. He emphasises the need for collaboration, effective team management, and the evolving landscape of procurement, particularly in the healthcare sector. Rich...

11 months ago

38 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 transition, particularly during the company's bankruptcy, and how he navigated these difficult times while maintaining team morale and supplier relationships. Fraser emphasises the importance of building a high-performance culture, adapting to technological change...

11 months ago

37 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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. They delve into the challenges faced by procurement professionals, the risks associated with AI implementation, and the importance of addressing resistance to change. The conversation also highlights the evolving skills required for procurement profess...

1 year ago

25 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 right talent. He discusses the evolving procurement landscape, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the industry. John emphasises the need for agility in procurement and offers valuable insights for...

1 year ago

27 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 understanding the end-to-end value chain, and the challenges of navigating external factors like COVID and Brexit. He emphasises the need for a balance between globalisation and local support, the significance of soft skills in talent management, and the changing...

1 year ago

25 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 sector. She discusses the complexities of navigating procurement within a heavily regulated environment, the balance between compliance and agility, and the evolution of procurement roles. Nikki emphasises the importance of diversi...

1 year ago

47 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 positions.He discusses the evolution of procurement, highlighting the increasing responsibilities and skills required in the field, and offers valuable advice for aspiring procurement leaders, encouraging curiosity and consistency in their careers. The convers...

1 year ago

39 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 importance of building communities, listening to stakeholders and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Jonathan discusses the evolution of procurement practices, the impact of AI and the need to address geopolitical challenges. He also hig...

1 year ago

44 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 process, the importance of ethical business, and how B Corp helps attract talent and engage clients.Suzanna shares her personal passion for sustainability and how businesses can implement sustainable practices to help create a better future.The Key Areas of Convers...

1 year ago

43 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 group of businesses. Martin shares his early experiences in recruitment, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth of his company, Talent Drive. He discusses his aspirations to be a market disruptor and his passion for the...

1 year ago

51 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 landscape of the market. They also touch on the importance of embracing technology and focusing on value-add, as well as the role of ESG in business. Emir provides advice for hiring managers and shares the plans for Talent Finance in 2024.Takeaways●&nbs...

1 year ago

13 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 property market. Shifa shares her insights into the procurement industry and offers advice for candidates looking for new roles. She also discusses the importance of branding and marketing oneself in the procurement field.TakeawaysNetworking is a power...

1 year ago

11 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 insights based on his 25 years of experience in procurement, with 15 years in industry and the last 10 years in consultancy. He discusses the differences in thought processes, responsibilities and timeframes between the two roles, and explores the concept of adapti...

1 year ago

35 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 procurement professionals. They also explore the value proposition of procurement and the different methods used to deliver cost reduction and value optimisation. Gavin discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with leading transformation efforts in d...

1 year ago

26 minutes

Talent Talks Podcast

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 transformation. Claire emphasises the importance of building relationships with stakeholders and proving the value of procurement. She shares her advice for aspiring procurement leaders, including taking every opportunity to learn and grow, and the importance of hiring the ...

1 year ago

31 minutes