Q & A
What is the CIPS Leaders’ Network?
The CIPS Leaders’ Network is the Institute’s membership network for chief procurement officers, leaders in procurement and supply and their key stakeholders. It has been established to bring together a portfolio of thought leadership materials and events developed through our linkages with the profession and academia.
What does the CIPS Leaders’ Network offer?
The network offers a blended portfolio of services that can be customised for individual leaders. Services include: mentoring, knowledge exchange, cutting-edge research, subscriptions to CPO Agenda magazine and K-Mail, invitations to high profile events, networking opportunities and a range of online
resources. Topics for seminars and knowledge exchange have been created around the issues facing procurement leaders today by working with some of the keenest minds at the most senior level in the profession.
Who can join?
The CIPS Leaders’ Network is aimed at senior leaders of the procurement profession and those with a strategic influence over it. It recognises they have different needs from their own teams. Senior practitioners will gain valuable insight into the profession from their involvement.
Who else is in it?
All sectors are represented and include both public and private organisations. Some of the organisations involved include the BBC, Transport for London, Qinetiq, BP and DEFRA.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on how much you want to participate. If you’re looking to reap the maximum benefits from your membership we recommend a comprehensive package (£15,775 + VAT) giving you access to hot topic seminars, breakfast briefings, web forums, mentoring, quarterly publication subscriptions as well as invitations to procurement leadership forums, applied research seminars and other high-profile networking events. Of course if you have a different budget in mind, CIPS account managers can help you create a bespoke package to suit your needs.
Where do events take place?
There are a range of venues and locations to ensure people can easily take part. Increasingly, more events are taking place internationally because of the global nature of the profession and have included South Africa and Australia. There is also a growing demand to meet virtually and the CIPS Leaders’ Network will soon be providing a range of online events.
How is the CIPS Leaders’ Network different to what I can get elsewhere in the marketplace?
- Can be customised to suit individual needs
- Gives access to an unrivalled breadth of knowledge
- Is owned and delivered by an independent, objective organisation
- Has prized links to academia, business and procurement
- Develops new knowledge and insight
I thought this was just for CPOs. Why ‘leaders’?
Not everyone who works at a senior level in the profession has the same title. Many professionals who carry out the CPO function have different titles. We want to be clear the CIPS Leaders’ Network is for every head of procurement function regardless of title, so ‘Leader’ was chosen to best reflect the reality. If you are a senior leader with a vested interest and/or influence over procurement within your organisation, the exclusive CIPSLeaders’ Network was made for you.
Isn’t CIPS just for students?
Far from it! CIPS operates at many levels within the procurement profession. The work it does with students is what it is best known for but represents only about half of the story. CIPS works with CPOs around the globe, corporate organisations, governments, regulators and other professional bodies to name a few.
Can anyone join?
No. Only senior practitioners are eligible to become members of the network. As long as you fulfill the role of CPO within your organisation or have a strategic influence over procurement we would be glad to have you as part of the network.
How can I get involved with the CIPS Leaders’ Network?
Simple. If you are a CPO or the leader of the function within your organisation, we would love to welcome you into the network. Call Sophia Halyckyj on +44(0)1780 756777 or email her at sophia.halyckyj@cips.org to arrange a discussion on how the CIPS Leaders’ Network can work for you.