Procurement Roots - Episode 3 - Andrew Swift, CPO of The British Council

Procurement Roots

From Surfboards to Strategic Procurement: A Conversation with British Council's CPO Andrew Swift

In this episode we delve into the career journey of Andrew Swift, Chief Procurement Officer at the British Council. Andrew shares his unique path from running a surf shop in Leeds to leading procurement transformations across multiple industries, including time at organizations like SITA and Sky. The conversation touches on key themes such as the importance of data in procurement, the role of leadership at every level, and the shift towards commercial and value-adding procurement practices. Andrew also discusses his advocacy for neurodiversity, offering insights into how it benefits the procurement field and the broader organization. As the discussion wraps up, Andrew shares valuable advice for aspiring CPOs and reflects on his career achievements and lessons learned.

00:00 Introduction to Procurement Routes Podcast

00:48 Andrew Swift's Early Career Journey

03:02 Transition to Procurement and Mentorship

04:25 Joining the British Council

06:00 British Council's Transformation in Procurement

09:24 Leadership and Team Management

11:52 Challenges and Tough Negotiations

19:00 Neurodiversity and Inclusion in Procurement

23:51 Future of Procurement

25:16 Defining Value in Procurement

25:48 The Evolving Role of Procurement

26:56 AI's Impact on Procurement

29:10 Real-World AI Applications

31:10 Essential Procurement Tools

34:38 Career Highlights and Lessons

43:36 Advice for Aspiring CPOs

51:10 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations