Ben Farrell, CIPS CEO visits members across the Asia Pacific region and shares his insights

CIPS 11 March 2025

Ben Farrell, CIPS CEO recently returned from a trip across the CIPS Australia, New Zealand and Asia regions, meeting many people in the procurement community and taking time to listen to some of the unique challenges.  He met with some inspiring members and volunteers, attended branch events and hosted numerous roundtable discussions.

It’s fantastic to see CIPS new CEO prioritising engagement with different markets so soon after their appointment. Understanding the global landscape, along with the unique nuances and priorities of each country, is crucial. I truly appreciate the time Ben and the CIPS team spent sharing their vision and engaging in open, constructive dialogue on how CIPS, as our professional body, can elevate our profession across the world.

- Jane O’Toole FCIPS Christchurch, New Zealand

Jonathan Cheung, PAN ASEAN Branch Chair said “Ben’s visit is a vital to the strategic importance of this dynamic region and will kick start to the growth across Asia, providing a clear vision and strategy for CIPS”

There are many common challenges we face as procurement professionals operating across global markets, but it’s also good to ensure we are listening to what is happening locally – something Ben is committed to continue to do through his ambition for CIPS. You are all part of a global community, but one with deep roots locally.

What resonated across all the meetings and events is the passion and drive to do better, to turn the dial on what procurement and supply can achieve and how CIPS is at the heart of enabling this change.

Ben shared some observations from his time in the regions.

• There was an overwhelming desire to increase the profile and professionalise procurement and supply across the regions, something discussed at length across all regions. The need for procurement to have a stronger voice, to demonstrate its value beyond a cost-control function to a value-creation strategic function. Many of you told us that procurement reports to finance, a finding that is reflected in CIPS Global State of Procurement and Supply report, and many of you felt that this was limiting the ability to influence the C-suite.
• There was a sense that procurement professionals need to develop skills beyond sourcing. Leadership skills are another big passion for Ben, and we look forward to sharing plans to help procurement leaders develop these skills to full effect.
• Public sector procurement has fairness, openness and transparency as its core values, being held to account on spending public money. With this can bring challenges around procurements ability to innovate and take measured risk to drive better outcomes for citizens. Government procurement teams can learn best practice from one another across the world, and Ben is committed to seeking opportunities to make this happen.
• Attracting and retaining talent continues to be a concern for many of you, something that Ben shared will be addressed in the new vision for CIPS.  We must build a healthy pipeline of procurement and supply professionals, attracting young people and those who are seeking a career change, opening their eyes to the fantastic career opportunities that procurement and supply offers.  More to follow on this in the coming months.
• It’s impossible to go anywhere and not have a conversation about AI and its impact. AI is evolving fast, but there is still a strong sense from you that it will be an enabler and that human oversight will still be critical. CIPS have forged relationships with experts in this field to provide through leadership and up-coming skills training courses to help you navigate this rapidly changing environment.
• Supply chain resilience is another universal topic as we continue to operate in such challenging economic times.  Ben listened to localisation plans with local government and corporations to build domestic capability in Australia.  The nuances differ from region to region, but the strategies are very similar in the Middle East.  CIPS is here to provide this global thought leadership that can be adopted and adapted to regional markets.
• And finally, discussions led to the bold steps many of you are taking to address the sustainability and ESG agenda.  Engaging with suppliers and truly embedding it in your procurement design strategies to tackle big issues such as carbon reduction, local job creation and supply chain diversity. 

Listening is a core value that I hold in high regard.  One that I distil through the CIPS teams.  I want to thank everyone that I met for your time and candour.  I am listening and this trip will certainly help to shape CIPS’ future direction.  Thank you for your kind hospitality and making me feel so welcome.

- Ben Farrell CIPS CEO