In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Ben Farrell MBE, Global Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the world’s largest professional body for procurement and supply professionals, with over 70,000 members in 160 countries and 97 branches worldwide.

CIPS plays a pivotal role in shaping resilient, ethical, and sustainable global supply chains — a profession now at the forefront due to shifting trade relationships and the weaponisation of supply chains. Ben shares how CIPS is helping countries thrive, raising standards, and closing global skills gaps while inspiring the next generation of procurement leaders.

In their conversation, they discuss:

·       Why procurement and supply have never been more vital to sustainability, national economies, and society

·       Acting as a global voice for the profession and a thought leader in the field

·       Moving industry debates toward long-term thinking and away from short-term fixes

·       Building a “shared consciousness” across a diverse, international membership

·       Helping countries and organisations understand skills gaps and set global standards

·       Navigating the world’s deep dependence on China and its tightly wound supply networks

·       How CIPS is evolving to meet future challenges and encourage more innovative thinking

·       Showcasing meaningful career paths in procurement and supply to attract new talent

CIPS: https://www.cips.org/

MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/