Richard Beaumont

• How do you overcome resistance to AI transformation by aligning technology with workforce needs? 
• How can you implement strategies to upskill teams and foster confidence in new tools and automation?  
• How do you ensure leadership buy-in by demonstrating ROI and the tangible benefits of AI and other technologies? 

• How does the future pipeline of skilled professionals look without traditional entry-level roles as AI takes over junior procurement tasks?  
• What does meaningful human involvement look like in a highly automated procurement function, and where is human judgment still indispensable?  
• How can procurement leaders and HR leaders collaborate to attract, develop, and retain high-skill talent in a function increasingly defined by data, strategy, and AI to future proof the workplace? 

• How to navigate the world of procurement in defence to ensure you are guaranteeing the levels of necessary risk mitigation/governance 
• How to take your experience from the private sector to overcome challenges operating in the public sector 
• How to position procurement as a core business function by aligning with strategic business decisions 

FOR: 

• Cost equals competitiveness: Lower prices boost margins and market edge 
• Bottom-line impact: Savings remain a key performance metric 
• Stronger leverage: Bigger volumes at lower cost strengthen supplier power 
• Fast, flexible sourcing: Cost-first frees capital for agility 

AGAINST: 

• Price isn’t value: Cheap now can cost more later 
• Relationships matter: Collaboration beats penny-pinching 
• Ethics at risk: Low cost often means low standards 
• Resilience over savings: Reliable supply trumps cheap deals 

For: Javier Caravantes, Procurement Director, Parques Reunidos 

Against: Richard Chiari, Global Lead Buyer, Semperit