Talent Talks Podcast

Talent Drive
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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/

  1. What High-Growth Companies Need From Procurement, with Darren Bosman

    JAN 13

    What High-Growth Companies Need From Procurement, with Darren Bosman

    Procurement has a reputation problem, but what if it could become one of the most strategic, human-led functions in a modern business? In this episode of the Talent Talks Podcast, we sit down with Darren Bosman, an experienced procurement leader who has built and scaled functions across continents and industries. From South Africa and the Seychelles to the UK, Darren brings a global perspective shaped by fintech, professional services and high-growth organisations. He is currently Head of Procurement at Tide, where he is helping the business scale through better systems, stronger stakeholder partnerships and a clear route to commercial value. Darren shares practical insight into what it really takes to set up procurement in fast-growing businesses, how to overcome the “procurement as police” stereotype, and why trust and stakeholder experience matter more than perfect processes. The conversation also explores centralised versus decentralised models, supplier relationships, hiring the right talent, and how AI is reshaping procurement by removing admin and elevating strategic impact. This episode is full of grounded advice, real-world examples and a refreshing take on where the profession is heading. This podcast is proudly sponsored by Omnea. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the Talent Talks Podcast. What The Episode Covers Setting up procurement functions in scaling businessesOvercoming negative perceptions of procurementBuilding trust with stakeholders and suppliersCentralised vs centre-led procurement modelsManaging resistance to changeWhy procurement skills are highly transferableSimplifying procurement processes and languageThe role of AI in automating admin and enabling strategyWhat Darren looks for when hiring procurement talentThe future of procurement as a value-driving function Chapters 00:00 – Who is Darren Bosman and what is his background? 01:00 – What are the biggest challenges when building procurement from scratch? 03:00 – How do you change negative perceptions of procurement? 05:20 – When should a business move from decentralised to centre-led procurement? 08:15 – How do you manage resistance while maintaining supplier relationships? 13:45 – Are procurement skills transferable across industries and regions? 18:05 – What lessons and advice have shaped your career most? 20:00 – How will AI and technology reshape procurement roles? 24:00 – What does the future look like for procurement and your team at Tide?

    29 min
  2. Ben Freeman on AI, Procurement and Scaling Omnea

    12/09/2025

    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 spending 18 months searching for his next big idea. After more than 300 interviews with procurement leaders, Ben uncovered systemic problems around collaboration, process, risk and user experience - leading him to build Omnea in 2022. Now over 150 people strong across London and New York, Omnea has raised more than $75 million from Accel, Khosla and Insight Partners, and is redefining how procurement operates in the AI era. This conversation covers talent density, efficiency, product philosophy, market noise, AI realities, and what CPOs are really struggling with today. Ben’s honesty, clarity and founder mindset make this one of the most insightful episodes to date. This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea! If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover Talent Talks. Some of the key moments during this podcast: How Ben went from cybersecurity founder to procure–tech CEOWhy he spent 18 months exploring ideas before launching OmneaWhat 300+ interviews revealed about procurement’s biggest problemsWhy talent density is the most important factor in scalingLessons learned from Tessian and applying them to OmneaThe importance of patience and product quality in enterprise softwareWhy brand awareness matters - even with an 86% RFP win rateHow AI is reshaping procurement roles and team structuresThe difference between hype-driven AI and real operational impactWhy the future of procurement is collaborative, connected and AI-nativeChapters 00:00 – Intro & Who Is Ben Freeman? 01:30 – How did a non-procurement founder build a procure–tech company?03:45 – What did 300+ interviews reveal about procurement’s biggest problems? 05:10 – How did Omnea scale to 150 people and $75m raised in 3 years? 06:35 – What pressures and realities come with leading a hypergrowth company? 08:15 – What has Omnea done right, and what’s been underestimated? 13:20 – Why is talent density the biggest determinant of success? 14:50 – How does Omnea balance efficiency with product quality and patient execution? 15:55 – Why is lack of brand awareness Omnea’s biggest growth limiter today? 19:55 – What does Ben really think about the current procure-tech landscape? 23:10 – What challenges are CPOs facing right now across industries? 26:00 – How can procurement fix its reputation and elevate its influence? 29:10 – How should procurement leaders position themselves for 2026’s opportunities? 32:00 – Will AI replace procurement roles, or transform them? 35:00 – What’s the difference between real AI substance and market hype? 36:00 – Final reflections

    37 min
  3. From Apprentice to Procurement Director: Leigh Hurrell's Journey

    11/18/2025

    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 practical advice for building great teams, fostering transparency with suppliers and balancing commercial rigour with innovation and agility. This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea! If you enjoy conversations that unpack leadership, growth and the evolving role of procurement, this one’s for you. Don’t forget to subscribe, share and leave a review to help more people discover Talent Talks. Some of the key moments during this podcast include: How Leigh first discovered procurement at BAE Systems The lessons learned from early management roles Why having a 10-year plan changed his career Building long-term supplier relationships based on trust and respect Leading procurement transformation at Onfido and Entrust Managing growth, acquisitions and rapid change Balancing commercial decisions with innovation and risk Hiring for values, not just skills The evolving role of procurement in cyber and digital supply chains Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:40 – How Leigh started in procurement 02:50 – Early lessons from BAE Systems and Thales 06:36 – The power of curiosity and career planning 08:24 – Building lasting supplier relationships 13:19 – Moving to Onfido and adapting to rapid growth 17:42 – Procurement during acquisition and transformation 20:30 – Balancing technology, budgets and risk 23:14 – Building teams and hiring the right people 27:29 – Leadership and team culture 31:10 – The evolution of procurement and new challenges 37:14 – Quickfire questions and final reflections

    39 min
  4. Building Procurement Influence, Insights from Rob Douglas

    11/04/2025

    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 of attracting new procurement talent and how AI will shape the future of commercial decision-making. This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea. Tune in for a masterclass in leadership, strategy and staying adaptable in an ever-changing procurement landscape. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a colleague and leave us a quick review. It really helps the show grow! Some of the key moments during this podcast include: How Rob started his career in procurement after the Army Lessons learned from Ford’s legendary graduate program Building lasting supplier relationships and trust Adapting across industries: retail, energy and financial services What defines “the buyer’s instinct” and how to spot it How procurement has evolved over three decades The growing role of risk management and cyber resilience Why graduate programs are disappearing, and why that’s a problem Rob’s advice for aspiring CPOs How AI and automation could enhance, not replace, procurement Soundbites “You can be fact-driven without being horrible.” “The buyer’s instinct. You either have it or you don’t.” “Procurement isn’t just about savings anymore. It’s about resilience and relationships.” “As a leader, it’s not about winning every argument. It’s about helping your team make great decisions.” “Treat suppliers well. It’s a small industry, you’ll meet them again.” “We’ve lost too many graduate programs, and the profession will feel that gap.” “Curiosity has taken me further than ambition ever did.” “AI will enhance procurement. It won’t replace human instinct.” “Preparation is everything. You can’t fake being ready.” “If you want to be a great CPO, keep lifting the bonnet and stay curious.” Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Early Career and Army lessons 03:00 – Learning the Foundations at Ford 05:20 – Building Strong Supplier Relationships 08:10 – Adapting Across Industries 11:50 – How Procurement has Evolved 13:10 – Buyer’s Instinct 18:00 – Balancing Risk and Commerciality 20:40 – Leadership Lessons and Developing Teams 24:30 – The Future of Procurement Talent 30:10 – Advice for Aspiring CPOs 37:00 – Quickfire Questions

    41 min
  5. The Power of Sport in Business with Stuart Farrell

    10/21/2025

    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. They explore the power of authentic relationships, why remembering people’s names and passions builds better business outcomes and how lessons from sport, especially cricket, shape high-performing teams.  Stuart also opens up about why safety must always come before savings, how procurement’s role is evolving in an AI-driven world and the traits he looks for when hiring top talent. Whether you’re a procurement professional, people leader or simply curious about the human side of business, this episode offers candid stories, practical wisdom and inspiration in equal measure. This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea. If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who loves good leadership stories. Some of the key moments during this podcast include: How a charity cricket match strengthened supplier relationships. Stuart’s unconventional entry into procurement and the deal that changed his career. Why relationships, not transactions, drive business success. Lessons learned from legendary leaders at Vodafone. The importance of empathy, curiosity and memory in leadership. How elite sport data inspired Stuart’s recruitment strategy. Why “Safety First” is the #1 KPI in his procurement organisation. The evolving role of procurement in cybersecurity and ESG. How AI can empower, not replace, procurement professionals. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Stuart Farrell 02:51 - Sports & Business Relationships 05:51 - Stuart's Entry into Procurement 11:51- Building Relationships in Procurement 18:44 - Authenticity in Business 25:49 - Defining Talent and Hiring Strategies 33:42 - The Evolution of Procurement 38:48 - Creating a Mandate for Procurement 45:48 - The Future of AI in Procurement This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea.

    52 min
  6. Marching Forward: Ben Farrell’s Mission to Modernise Global Procurement

    05/01/2025

    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 explore the challenges and opportunities facing procurement professionals today, particularly in the context of global supply chains and the integration of AI. Additionally, the conversation touches on Ben’s involvement with the Invictus Games Foundation. Some of the key moments during this podcast include: Ben Farrell joined CIPS to drive change in procurement. Human emotion plays a crucial role in leadership effectiveness. Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging but rewarding. CIPS has the potential to be a global leader in procurement. Ben aims to make CIPS more inclusive and relevant to all stages of a procurement career. The future of procurement requires adapting to changing global dynamics.  Marketing the procurement profession is crucial for attracting new talent. Procurement must shift from a process-oriented mindset to a strategic one. Global supply chains require resilience and adaptability in the face of disruptions. The Invictus Games Foundation supports the recovery of wounded servicemen and women. Talent in procurement is about finding the right fit for individuals. Continuous improvement is essential for professional bodies to remain relevant. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ben Farrell 01:15 Early Career and Military Background 04:37 Leadership Lessons from the Army 08:00 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 12:17 Experiences at John Lewis 15:33 Becoming CEO of CIPS 18:40 Global Perspectives on Procurement 20:17 Challenges and Opportunities for CIPS 25:26 Marketing the Procurement Profession 30:11 The Future of Procurement 34:22 Navigating Challenges in Procurement 38:50 Global Supply Chains 43:01 Invictus Games Foundation 45:58 Defining Talent in Procurement

    49 min
  7. The Future of NHS Procurement: Challenges, Leadership, and Patient Outcomes, with Richard Evans

    01/30/2025

    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.  Richard also reflects on his career and the skills he values in procurement talent, concluding with quickfire questions about his inspirations and views on the future of procurement. Takeaways Collaboration and people management are key to successful procurement. Integrating previously separate organisations into one cohesive unit has been a challenge for the NHS Supply Chain. Value-based procurement is essential for improving patient outcomes. Richard advocates for a people-first approach in leadership. Adaptability and agility are crucial in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. The future of procurement is pivotal, with a focus on innovation and technology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:55 From Consultancy to NHS Supply Chain 05:49 Purpose in Procurement 09:10 Challenges in NHS Supply Chain 12:05 Team Management 15:02 Change in the NHS 17:52 Qualities in Procurement Talent 21:13 Future of Procurement 24:02 Reflections on Career 26:47 Quickfire Questions

    38 min
  8. Leading Through Crisis: Procurement in a Startup World with Fraser McBeth

    01/16/2025

    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 changes, and fostering open communication within the team.  He reflects on the lessons learned throughout this journey and offers insights for others considering a similar path in the startup world. Takeaways Startups require a different mindset and approach than established companies. Navigating cash flow is crucial in a startup environment. Building strong supplier relationships can provide access to valuable technology. Creating a high-performance culture involves continuous improvement and engagement. Transparency with the team fosters trust and resilience. Adapting to technological advancements is necessary for competitiveness. Flexibility in work arrangements can enhance talent acquisition. Leadership during tough times requires a balance of support and accountability. Learning from experiences in a startup can shape future career paths. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Volta Trucks 02:46 From OEM to Startup 06:08 Bankruptcy 11:51 Leadership in Crisis 17:57 Building a High-Performance Culture 24:00 Supplier Relationships 30:07 Reflection and Future Outlook

    37 min
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About

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/

Information

  • Creator
    Talent Drive
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Talent Talks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Talent Talks Podcast