Comedian Russell Kane hailed procurement professionals at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards for their part in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking during a lavish ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane, Kane commended the UK’s response to the pandemic and the rollout of vaccines. “It was you,” he told buyers.
The UK Vaccine Taskforce, overall winners on the night, received standing ovations for their work.
Kane was scathing of those who chose not to take the vaccine. “I would have run onto a needle of Dettol if it had got me to Ibiza,” he said.
Describing the impact of the virus on social interaction, Kane said people doing elbow bumps looked “like Morris dancers on MDMA”.
Taking aim at people not wearing, or partially wearing, masks, he said: “The chin maskers do my head in.”
Guests, perhaps a little wary of attending a large event after life under pandemic restrictions, enjoyed a champagne reception and four-course meal before taking to the dance floor.
Malcolm Harrison, group CEO at CIPS, spoke of the pleasure of being able to attend a live event following last year’s virtual ceremony. “It’s fantastic to see so many of you here tonight,” he said.
Harrison said the pandemic had raised procurement’s profile. “The procurement profession has never been in so much demand,” he said.
“The pandemic produced some real hero moments and procurement was involved in all this.”
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