How AI and Data-Driven Procurement Is Shaping Public Health with Travis Crouch

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Travis Crouch, Head of Commercial Systems and Intelligence for the UK Department of Health and Social Care. Together, they dive into the transformative power of procurement in the public health sector. Travis shares insights on why data is key for smart procurement strategies, how to navigate compliance challenges in a rapidly changing landscape, the importance of leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics to enhance procurement processes across the NHS, and how AI is set to transform public procurement.

Travis is a skilled expert in procurement, combining rich experience from both public and private sectors. He's led teams at Aviva and NHS Digital and has significantly impacted the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Now, at the DHSC and NHS, he's transforming procurement processes by harnessing advanced technologies and data-driven strategies to improve public health outcomes. Additionally, as an Associate Commercial Specialist for the Government Commercial Function, he shares his expertise to strengthen procurement capabilities across the government.

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Episode Highlights:

[06:31] - How DHSC Is Leveraging Procurement to Save Big: Driving digital transformation in procurement at DHSC goes down to focusing on compliance with regulations while leveraging technology for strategic outcomes. The main priority for the team is to create efficient workflows and templates to ensure compliance, enabling them to gather aggregate data that reveals opportunities and risks in the supply chain. Success is measured through tough targets, adoption rates, and significant savings, like the £34 million identified from contract aggregation.
[12:20] - Why Data Is Key for Smart Procurement Strategies: Harnessing quality data is essential for driving effective strategies and minimising risks. Without solid data, businesses face significant challenges in predicting potential issues. Implementing the right controls and using data-driven insights allows procurement teams to enhance their sourcing and supplier management efforts. Travis also notes that good data is key for making informed decisions, such as optimising team sizes and understanding spending trends.

[19:10] - Innovating Within Regulatory Frameworks: To successfully introduce innovative practices in procurement within a regulatory framework, it's essential to strike a balance between compliance and creativity. Leveraging technology like automation can streamline processes while ensuring adherence to standards. Engaging commercial teams with training programs on new regulations empowers them and fosters excitement for the opportunities these changes present.

[32:37] - How AI Is Set to Transform Public Procurement: AI is poised to revolutionise public procurement, enhancing efficiency and outcomes by leveraging advanced data analysis, automating documentation tasks, and enabling professionals to focus on strategic value. However, for this transformation to succeed, we need high-quality data, widespread adoption among users, and robust security measures to protect sensitive information.

Episode Resources:

Travis Crouch on LinkedIn
UK Department of Health and Social Care Website
Government Commercial Function Website