Commercial Insider is a series of interviews with procurement experts from across Crown Commercial Service (CCS). Our experts discuss the topical themes and debates in public procurement right now. They also share their own experiences as leaders of the government commercial profession.

The latest episode with Kristen Green, Head of Sustainability, is available to watch now.

In CCS we want to be the sustainable provider of choice across government for common goods and services. 

Carbon Net Zero is the target that government has set…Sustainability is how we go about getting there.

  • Episode 1 - John Welch

    John Welch is Deputy Director for Construction at Crown Commercial Service (CCS) with responsibility for common goods and services across construction categories. He and his team help to manage over £1.5 billion of construction related works and services projects and programmes each year on behalf of public sector customers.

    John has over 20 years’ experience as a building and property professional in the private and public sector. He has worked across multiple sectors including building, infrastructure, civil engineering, petro-chemical and nuclear.

    Watch episode 1.

  • Episode 2 - Kim Harrison

    Kim Harrison is Associate Commercial Specialist at Crown Commercial Service (CCS), with responsibility specifically for fleet across the Corporate Solution’s category. Kim and her team help to manage over £1 billion of fleet spend each year on behalf of public sector customers. 

    Before joining CCS Kim held commercial leadership roles within the NHS and further education sectors, spanning a wide range of products from IT hardware and software to professional services and consumables.

    Watch episode 2.

  • Episode 3 - Philip Orumwense

    Dr Philip Orumwense is the Commercial Director and Chief Procurement Officer for Technology at Crown Commercial Service (CCS) with responsibility for common goods and services across technology and digital categories. He and his team help to manage over £10 billion of technology spend each year on behalf of public sector customers.

    Philip has also worked extensively within the private sector, including for Siemens where he had responsibilities for multi-site and multi-business commercial activities spanning the UK, Germany and elsewhere in Europe, South and North America.

    Philip was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020 by Her Majesty the Queen, for services to the public.

    Watch episode 3.

  • Episode 4 - Clemmie Smith

    Clemmie Smith is Deputy Director for Health and Education Workforce at Crown Commercial Service (CCS), with responsibility for workforce requirements relating to recruitment, flexible and temporary staffing in healthcare and education settings. She and her team help to manage £2 billion of workforce spend each year for the NHS, schools and other public sector organisations. 

    Before joining CCS in 2016, Clemmie worked in strategic and collaborative procurement roles within the public sector. This included for local government, at Surrey County Council, central government and bluelight (Office of Government Commerce and National Policing Improvement Agency) and the university and cultural sector, at London Universities Purchasing Consortium.

    Watch episode 4.

  • Episode 5 - David Skinner

    David Skinner is Director of Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Customer Experience Directorate – otherwise known as CXD.  He leads a number of teams focussing on the best ways to engage and maintain relationships with CCS’s 20,000 customers across the public sector.

    David has over 35 years’ experience in customer service and relationship management in corporate and people market sectors. He has held senior management commercial roles for organisations including Barclays Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. 

    Watch episode 5.

  • Episode 6 - Kristen Green

    Kristen Green is Head of Sustainability at Crown Commercial Service (CCS) focusing on how CCS can support the public sector’s commitment to Carbon Net Zero through the common goods and services they purchase.

    Kristen has over 10 years of experience working in various commercial roles, including within Local Authorities, supporting buyers and working with the supply chain to deliver better commercial outcomes.

    Watch episode 6