‘Moving Forward’ – these two words perfectly encapsulate Ben’s approach to his role as CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Chain (CIPS).

In a world where supply networks increasingly sustain businesses, industries and economies, Ben believes that the procurement and supply chain profession must take centre stage and step up to lead from the frontline.

It is a big and bold step for the profession.

With his multifaceted experience as a leader in procurement, supply chain management, membership, digital transformation and operations, Ben is uniquely qualified to bring this ambitious vision to life.

His most recent position was Director of Operations, Planning and Delivery in one of the UK’s largest retailers – the John Lewis Partnership.

An illustrious early career and achievements in the military laid the foundation for Ben’s Ben’s distinct high-energy, high-impact style of leadership.

Achieving the rank of Colonel at a very young age, he served as Commanding Officer of the Irish Guards. In recognition of his remarkable service, Ben was awarded an MBE when he was just 29 years old.

Today, as Chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation Programme Board and Chairman of the Forces Employment, Ben is also a respected leader in the charity sector. He is the Founder and organiser of the Blackthorn Rally, an international motorsport rally for army veterans.

Ben has proven his ability to marry ambition with impact.

With the coincidence of technology advances, the increasingly interconnected world, climate risk, and geopolitical instability, he is determined to move the procurement and supply chain profession and CIPS forward into a future where they are global leaders, shaping the future of the planet.

An experienced commercial and procurement professional, Lois has supported various transformation programmes across the NHS. She is a Chartered Fellow of CIPs and currently leads the Commercial Capability and Best Practice team in NHS England’s Central Commercial Function. Lois also supports the delivery of the Strategic Framework for NHS Commercial to build a world class commercial function for our health system by leading on a number of interventions. Experienced in leading teams to deliver requirements in a proactive and innovative way, Lois is well respected across the commercial community and wider health network.

Barbara is an experienced procurement and commercial professional. Having worked in the NHS at local, regional and national roles for over 15 years and in the private sector for seven years prior, she specialises in leading large scale strategic programmes and creating more efficient processes and practices. She is currently responsible for delivering the NHS commercial capability programme that includes the transformational NHS Commercial Learning & Development Centre of Excellence which will eliminate disparity in investment and access to learning for the NHS commercial community.

Andrew is a partner and head of procurement within Hempsons LLP’s specialist procurement law team. He has over 20 years’ experience of working with the NHS, acting both for contracting authorities and bidders. Andrew utilises the knowledge gained from acting for clients on both sides of the fence to provide pragmatic advice on running defensible procurement processes/defending procurement law challenges, and also to advise bidders on improving their chances of success/challenging defective processes. Andrew is heavily involved in advising relevant authorities on the implications of the Provider Selection Regime and the new Procurement Act.

Mary is a Partner at Capsticks and is the Head of Procurement and Deputy Head of Healthcare. Mary leads the procurement team and advises clients on a range of public procurement matters from day to day issues through to complex and strategic processes and procurement challenges. Mary also advises bidders. Mary regularly delivers training to clients and speaks at conferences on procurement. Mary has been supporting clients to implement the changes brought in under the Procurement Act 2023 and she has also advised on a number of processes under the Provider Selection Regime. Mary has previously worked in-house at NHS Supply Chain advising on the setting up of various framework agreements for health supplies. She therefore has in depth experience of working closely with public sector procurement teams in a fast paced environment.

Michelle has worked within the NHS as a registered adult and children’s nurse for 36 years. She is the national clinical executive director in NHS Supply Chain and leads a group of expert and experienced health care professionals (Nurses, Doctors, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals) supporting the business to procure medical devices, equipment and clinical consumables. Focusing on patient care, ensuring that everything purchased and supplied, on behalf of the NHS is safe, meets the needs of patients and health care professionals and is available at the right time and in the right place.
Previously, she held senior operational management and nurse leadership posts in hospitals, mental health and community health services in London. Posts held, Deputy Chief Clinical Officer for an Integrated Care Board and Chief Nurse and Director of Allied Health Professionals at two NHS Trusts.
She is a Queen’s Nurse, has an MSc Child Health and has been a Florence Nightingale Children and Young People’s Leadership Scholar.

Michelle was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours Award in 2021.

Dr Phil Hammond retired as NHS doctor in 2022 after 35 years, but still works as a journalist, broadcaster, speaker, campaigner, and comedian He was a GP for 20 years, worked in sexual health for 4 years and as a lecturer in medical communication at two universities (Birmingham and Bristol). He spent 11 years in a specialist team for young people with severe fatigue, including post viral fatigue and long Covid. Phil is Private Eye’s medical correspondent and possibly the only comedian to have appeared at a Public Inquiry; his coverage of the pandemic in Private Eye was highly praised, and a book of the columns – Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook – was a Sunday Times bestseller. He presented the first five series of Trust Me, I’m a Doctor on BBC2, produced by Dr Michael Mosley. As a comedian, Phil was half of the award-winning double-act Struck Off and Die, with Tony Gardner. They won a Writer’s Guild Award, a Silver Sony Award and received record numbers of complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Council. He has done Edinburgh fringe shows since 1990 and four solo UK tours, and has appeared on Have I Got News For You, Question Time, Countdown, The One Show and Long Live Britain. His NHS comedy Polyoaks, written with David Spicer, had five series on Radio 4. He also presented multiple series of Pillories of the State, The Music Group and The Motion Show for Radio 4. In his Radio 4 series – Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner – Phil toured NHS hospitals, chatting intimately with staff, patients, carers and volunteers, and then cheered them up with a comedy show. Phil took two shows to the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe: Dr Hammond’s Covid Inquiry and How I Ruined Medicine, which is also available on BBC Sounds along with his new podcast, Doctor Doctor. He was back at the Fringe in 2024 with Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS and The Ins and Outs of Pleasure. In 2025, he reflected on his unusual career in How I Ruined Medicine (Radio 4 and BBC Sounds) Phil’s 2026 comedy with Tony Gardner, Doctors on Hold, is available on BBC Sounds and has been commissioned for a second series. 36 of his 38 Private Eye columns arguing that Lucy Letby should be granted an appeal can be found at https://www.private-eye.co.uk/special-reports/lucy-letby Phil is currently investigating the use of comedy as therapy for NHS staff and users, to encourage them to tell their stories and share their experiences with humour and pathos. He is working on his first novel, The Fate Escapes, about how the timing and manner of how you tell a child his father has taken his life can have a profound effect on their own life. It is based partly on Phil’s own experiences.