Meet your Procurement ambassador in Norfolk Chris Cliffe
Get to know your procurement ambassador in Norfolk.
Name:
Chris Cliffe
Position/company:
Director, CJC Procurement Ltd
Describe your current role/company:
I am the founder/owner of CJC Procurement Ltd, an independent procurement consultancy business. I provide services across the UK, primarily to the public sector on the buying side and to suppliers engaging with public procurement on the supply side. Elevating the role of procurement as a professional and strategic business function serving Executives and Boards is a key driver.
Previous roles:
I have worked in procurement for two decades, initially as a Civil Servant in what today is Crown Commercial Services. I headed up a greenfield procurement function in the Social Housing sector for several years before setting up as an independent consultant. I qualified as a full member of CIPS in 2008 and have been a CIPS Fellow since 2016.
Other information (eg. Other positions held, charity roles):
I volunteer on several committees, including the CIPS Fellows committee, CIPS east Anglia branch committee, and of course IoD Norfolk branch committee. I support a local Scout group as an Exec and trustee.
Outside work (hobbies/interests):
Procurement is my professional passion, but my head has always been in the clouds. I qualified as a private pilot (PPL) in 2019 and enjoy sharing the skies with friends and connections. I aspire to be a flying instructor in time and haven’t ruled out a return to Shotokan Karate and push for 2nd Dan black belt.
How long have you been an IoD member?
Since June 2017
Describe your role as an Ambassador:
I am the Procurement Ambassador in Norfolk and the East of England. In current times, supply chains and cost control have never been more important to Boards.
What part of IoD membership do you value most?
Business Information Service, hands down worth the membership fee alone.
What are the top three things about your branch area?
The magnificent Norfolk coastline, especially from 1,000ft. The range of environment from thriving city, to peaceful countryside and the occasional train to London in 90 minutes
If you could give one message to the Prime Minister, what would it be?
IR35. Sort it out. The ONE thing Truss & Kwarteng almost got right.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 12 months?
Since the pandemic, my work has pivoted to 100% remote and home based. I miss people, office environments and, yes, commuting. I hope to get some balance back in my professional life and spend time with real, rather than virtual, people.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when you started out in business?
Running a business is a lonely place. Find and grow your own support network as quickly as you can. Control the controllables and find a way to celebrate the wins and a safe space to deal with the losses along the way – IoD Mastermind for example!