Member Spotlight Kavita Cooper

Name: Kavita Cooper

Position/company: Managing Director, Novo-K

How would you describe your business to a total stranger? I set up Novo-K in 2015, with the desire to redefine procurement and support businesses achieve their strategic objectives through best practice procurement. We help businesses save money, ensure supply chain resilience, and meet sustainability commitments through our hybrid and flexible procurement solutions. As procurement experts, we understand the importance of delivering cost effective solutions which offers value for money and return on investment.

Your previous roles: 13 years in corporate including Global Head of Procurement at BT

Other information (eg other positions held, charity roles): Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply

CIPS Thames Valley Committee Member

Sustainable Procurement Ambassador, The Sustainable Procurement Pledge

What do you do outside work? (hobbies/interests): As an entrepreneur, much of my time outside of the office is supporting my personal growth and longer-term ambitions which includes lots of reading (business, fiction and non-fiction), watching TED talks and attending courses i.e. sustainability, business with purpose. I also love eco-travel and exploring nature with my children.

Tell us something unusual about yourself: I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I set up my first business in the playground selling badges and stationary to my exclusive membership club for the grand price of 10p

How long have you been an IoD member? I joined as an IoD 99er in 2016, which was a successful program to support start-up businesses.

Why did you join the IoD? I joined IoD to network and connect with like-minded leaders and directors. Being a part of IoD has proved to be an excellent opportunity to meet business leaders who have different backgrounds and experiences from myself.

Which parts of IoD membership do you value most? IoD has helped to raise my company profile, given me the opportunity to visit Westminster and No. 10 Downing Street to meet ministers, explore new business opportunities through using the research team. Some of the other benefits that I value are the events conducted by IoD Berkshire, unlimited business advice, personal development opportunities and the access to resources and information.

How would you describe your branch area to a total stranger? IoD Berkshire is a friendly and approachable branch of the IoD. They have ambitions to become more diverse and to support the growth of local businesses through thought leadership and knowledge sharing.

What is the most important issue for the government to tackle? Get control of inflation and interest rates whilst also giving small and medium businesses access to funding for growth.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years’ time? I hope to be supporting social enterprises and businesses with purpose to grow and deliver a wider social impact.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Kavita!

Connect with Kavita via her LinkedIn.