Dyonne Francis is the Sustainable Procurement Lead at Bupa, where she has led the design and delivery of a multi-year programme embedding sustainability and responsible business conduct into procurement at scale. A MCIPS and PISEP professional with over 15 years’ experience across public and private sectors, Dyonne is recognised for turning complex sustainability ambition into practical, procurement-led delivery. She combines deep commercial expertise with strong stakeholder influence, building capability across teams and suppliers alike. Her work has helped position procurement as a critical enabler of Net Zero, ethical supply chains and long-term organisational resilience.

An accomplished senior procurement professional with experience across multiple sectors, Gaynor Smith has extensive commercial and contract management expertise. A Fellow of CIPS (FCIPS) and an award-winning thought leader including for Advancing Women in Procurement and Driving Sustainability, Gaynor champions ethical, sustainable procurement and ESG integration. She contributes as a lecturer, committee officer and sustainability advocate and has arranged various events including most recently Procurement with Purpose: Maximising Social Value, Minimising Modern Slavery Risk. Her leadership in sustainable procurement, risk management and supplier relationships drives measurable value while embedding responsible, future-focused practices across organisations and the profession, globally and collaboratively.

Jason Paginton is Purchasing Lead Buyer at Gilcrest Manufacturing, where he has strengthened procurement practices and championed sustainability through practical, results-focused change. He is passionate about showing how procurement can deliver value beyond cost by improving supplier collaboration, supporting responsible sourcing and driving packaging decisions that reduce waste and improve recyclability. Known for his hands-on approach and commitment to continuous improvement, Jason works to embed stronger commercial discipline while promoting procurement as a strategic function. Through his work and ongoing CIPS development, he is helping to demonstrate procurement’s wider business and environmental impact.

Rhys Griffiths is a Senior ESG Procurement Manager at Telent with over 15 years’ experience in procurement and supply chain roles across technology, manufacturing and service industries. He leads strategic sourcing, supplier performance and commercial delivery, embedding sustainability into core procurement practices. Rhys has helped position procurement as a driver of environmental and social value, combining data-led insight with practical delivery. A trusted advisor to a range of stakeholders, he is passionate about supplier collaboration, inclusive sourcing and capability building, and contributes to wider industry initiatives to support more resilient and responsible supply chains.

Zara Ferris is a sustainability professional with over a decade of experience driving positive impact across complex supply chains. Since 2020, she’s led Nationwide Building Society’s award-winning Procurement for Mutual Good programme, recognised with CIPS Best Sustainability Project (2021) and CIPS Best Commitment to Carbon Reduction in Supply Chains (2024). Her career includes advising global real estate, technology, luxury fashion and major event venues on sustainability transformation. Zara is a Full Member of ISEP and serves on the Steering Committee of the Finance Initiative for Sustainable Procurement, and champions social impact and recognition across Nationwide’s Procurement team.