Collaboration and Partnership Zone
This zone focuses on strengthening collaboration across sectors, including NHS and Defence, to support more joined-up procurement and deliver greater community benefit.
Suppliers will have the opportunity to connect with key public sector buyers, understand evolving requirements, and position themselves within collaborative supply chains, with sessions covering partnership working, social value, and long-term relationship building.
Buyers will gain insight into developing more effective partnerships, engaging suppliers strategically, and using procurement to deliver wider economic and social outcomes across Wales.
Collaboration and Partnership Zone Agenda
Agendas are subject to change
Director of Transformation, Digital and Procurement
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Procurement & Information Governance Manager
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Driving Value: Co-Creation and Communication in Procurement Partnerships - 10:40 - 11:05
Successful procurement partnerships require more than contracts – they need collaboration and trust. This session explores co-creation techniques and effective communication strategies that drive value for all parties.
Speakers
Director of Transformation, Digital and Procurement
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Procurement & Information Governance Manager
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Director
ALS Training
How Partnering With a Training Provider Can Boost Your Workforce - 11:10 - 11:30
Director
ALS Training
Head of Commercial Delivery
Welsh Government
Programme Manager
Welsh Local Government Association
Procurement Director
University of South Wales
Framework Manager, Wales
Lyreco
Better Together: Building Stronger Buyer-Supplier Relationships - 11:35 - 12:00
Strong buyer–supplier relationships improve outcomes, reduce disputes, and foster innovation. This panel shares practical advice for building these relationships in a public procurement context.
Speakers
Head of Commercial Delivery
Welsh Government
Programme Manager
Welsh Local Government Association
Procurement Director
University of South Wales
Framework Manager, Wales
Lyreco
Capacity & Capability Lead
Welsh Government
Cyd in Action: Progress, Impact and What’s Next - 12:05 - 12:30
A progress update on the Cyd programme, exploring its achievements to date, impact on the procurement community, and priorities for the next phase.
Speakers
Capacity & Capability Lead
Welsh Government
Director of Public Policy, Research and Communications
BiP Solutions
The Strategic Value of Preliminary Market Engagement - 12:35 - 13:05
Director of Public Policy, Research and Communications
BiP Solutions
Senior Lecturer in Procurement and Supply Chain Management
University of South Wales
Centre of Public Value Procurement
Cardiff University
Building a Career in Public Procurement - 13:25 - 13:50
With increasing demand for skilled professionals, procurement offers rewarding career pathways. This session outlines progression opportunities, skills in demand, and advice for those looking to enter or advance in the field.
Speakers
Senior Lecturer in Procurement and Supply Chain Management
University of South Wales
Centre of Public Value Procurement
Cardiff University
Sustainable Development Advisor
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Procurement’s Place in a Wellbeing Economy - 13:55 - 14:20
Procurement plays a crucial role in supporting the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. This session explores how buying decisions can drive long-term social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing.
Speakers
Sustainable Development Advisor
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
SME Lead, Defence Commercial
Ministry of Defence
Doing Business With Defence - 14:25 - 14:50
This session demystifies defence procurement, highlighting opportunities for suppliers and providing practical advice for navigating the sector’s processes.
Speakers
SME Lead, Defence Commercial
Ministry of Defence
Head of Fair Work Procurement
Welsh Government
Sustainable Development Advisor
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Setting Socially Responsible Procurement Objectives - 14.55 - 15.20
Clear objectives are key to delivering social responsibility through procurement. This session explains how to set, measure, and monitor objectives that drive real impact.
Speakers
Head of Fair Work Procurement
Welsh Government
Sustainable Development Advisor
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales