In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch sit down with sustainability expert Oliver Hurrey to explore the intersection of procurement and environmental responsibility. They discuss supplier engagement, data-driven solutions for scope three emissions, AI’s role in sustainability, and the importance of biodiversity. Tune in to discover how procurement professionals can drive real-world change.

Oliver Hurrey is a leading voice in sustainable procurement and the founder of Galvanised. He is known for driving key initiatives including the Sustainable Procurement Pledge, the Scope 3 Peer Group, and the Nature and Biodiversity Peer Group. With over 20 years of experience bridging sustainability and procurement, he has become instrumental in helping organisations turn ambitious environmental goals into measurable progress. As a trusted advisor and collaboration catalyst, Oliver specialises in developing practical frameworks for tackling scope three emissions, implementing science-based targets, and fostering effective supply chain partnerships.

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Oliver emphasizes that supplier engagement remains the top challenge in sustainable procurement for the past five years. He warns against the common pitfall of overwhelming suppliers with endless surveys and engagement events that don't lead to meaningful action. Instead, procurement professionals should focus on empathizing with suppliers' capabilities and challenges while streamlining data requests. The key is to move beyond mere data collection to driving actual change and improvement. Procurement teams should consider what they'll actually do with the information before requesting it. This approach helps build stronger supplier relationships while achieving concrete sustainability goals.

Oliver distinguishes between different levels of supplier interaction: communication (talking at suppliers), engagement (talking with suppliers), and true collaboration (doing things together). He illustrates this with examples from the automotive industry, where companies collectively help suppliers access renewable energy. Procurement professionals should focus on creating tangible joint initiatives rather than just having discussions. The key is to move beyond traditional supplier management to create mutual value through active partnership.

Oliver outlines three essential principles for effective collaboration in procurement: first, be prepared to take action rather than just talk; second, clearly define areas of competition versus collaboration with peers; and third, start with obvious quick wins to build momentum. He emphasizes that many organizations waste time in endless meetings when they should focus on implementing obvious solutions. This framework helps procurement teams move from discussion to meaningful action while maintaining appropriate competitive boundaries.