Tony Watson, Collaboration in Value Based Procurement | P&SC LIVE: Net Zero 2026

Why It Matters

Embedding values into procurement transforms supplier relationships into strategic partnerships, accelerating innovation and delivering sustainable, profitable outcomes for businesses.

Key Takeaways

• Values-driven procurement requires deep personal relationships with suppliers.
• Collaborative culture fosters faster innovation, as seen in pandemic response.
• Certifications alone insufficient; engage suppliers to understand true standards.
• Applying values-based education principles can transform procurement dialogues.
• Leaders should champion values, offering free expertise to drive adoption.

Summary

Tony Watson used a personal narrative—from donating blood to surviving a sudden job loss—to illustrate how values‑based procurement can turn routine transactions into collaborative partnerships. He framed the discussion around the P&SC LIVE Net Zero 2026 event, arguing that procurement professionals must move beyond certificates and adopt a dialogue‑centric, values‑driven mindset.

He highlighted three concrete examples: the seamless teamwork he observed at a blood‑donation centre, the rapid, cross‑industry effort to produce hydroxychloroquine during the COVID‑19 pandemic, and his twelve‑year journey from a Body Shop warehouse role to integrating values into L’Oréal’s supply chain. These stories underscore that shared purpose and trust accelerate outcomes that would otherwise take years.

Watson also referenced Dr. Neil Hawks’ values‑based education model, suggesting that teaching emotional intelligence and collaborative language in schools can be mirrored in procurement conversations. Audience participants contributed words like “collaboration,” “partnership,” and “outcomes,” reinforcing the notion that even brief, purposeful interactions can reshape supplier relationships.

The takeaway for business leaders is clear: embedding values into procurement not only enhances sustainability and ethical compliance but also drives speed, innovation, and mutual profitability. Watson’s offer to mentor peers on LinkedIn signals a growing movement toward open, values‑centric supply‑chain leadership.

Original Description

In this keynote, Tony Watson, Director of Procurement at Accord Healthcare, explores how values-based procurement can transform supplier relationships and drive meaningful collaboration. The session examines how aligning procurement practices with organizational values—such as sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility—fosters trust, innovation, and shared purpose across the supply chain. Drawing on real-world examples, Tony highlights practical strategies for embedding values into procurement decisions, overcoming common challenges, and creating partnerships that deliver both operational excellence and measurable social and environmental impact.

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