Glide Paths for Sustainable Growth: Our Takeaways from the WPC

by | May 28, 2024

Our MD, Jeremy Smith recently attended the Procurement Leaders | A World 50 Group Community World Procurement Congress. The event brought together over 800 procurement leaders and provided a great opportunity to delve into the pressing retail and consumer challenges that a lot of our clients are facing.

His key takeaways were:

  • Sustainability & ESG – Achieving net-zero goals requires collaboration across the supply chain, with competitor partnerships helping to share costs and drive impact.
  • Resilient Supply Chains – Strong supplier relationships, proactive risk management, and deeper visibility beyond Tier 2 are essential to prevent disruptions.
  • Procurement EfficiencyHybrid models balancing global and local needs are trending, though procurement structures evolve in cycles.
  • Strategic Partnerships – Breaking silos and collaborating with suppliers (including new entrants) unlocks untapped value.
  • Digitalisation & Data – AI and digital tools must be built on accurate data foundations to avoid poor decision-making.
  • Collaboration is Key – Across companies, competitors, and suppliers, teamwork is the driving force behind meaningful procurement and supply chain transformation.

Read Jeremy’s full write-up here: Glide Paths for Sustainable Growth: our takeaways from the WPC | LinkedIn

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM TODAY

If you would like to learn more about our insights from the WPC, and how we can support with procurement, supply chain and commercial transformations to addresses some of the challenges listed, then please reach out to Jeremy Smith.

Feb 01 2026

4C Associates Introduces Refreshed Brand Identity Reflecting Its Role Within the FourCentric Group

4C Associates has introduced a refreshed brand identity and digital presence that reflects both how the firm works with clients today and...
Oct 30 2025

The Psychology of Change: Why Your Business Can’t Afford to Ignore It

Discover why most change initiatives fail and how understanding the psychology behind human behaviour can help your business drive lasting...
Oct 22 2025

Is Your Organisation Losing Millions Due to a Weak Procurement Strategy?

Is your organisation losing millions to a weak procurement strategy? Discover key insights from 4C’s Transformative Procurement Survey and...
Oct 15 2025

Act Now: Reimagining Defence Readiness for an Unpredictable Future

Based on insights from Stephen Ainsworth and Robin Agarwal, our whitepaper explores resilience, readiness, and the future of defence...
Oct 08 2025

Why CFOs and CPOs Must Unite for CSRD Success

Why must CFOs and CPOs collaborate to meet the EU’s CSRD requirements? Learn how procurement and finance can align on ESG data, Scope 3...
Sep 19 2025

Unlocking PA2023 Potential: How Process Excellence Fuels the Competitive Flexible Procedure

Discover how the Procurement Act 2023 empowers public sector organisations to transform procurement through the Competitive Flexible...
Sep 18 2025

How to Build an Evolving Operating Model for Continuous Profit and Growth

Anahita Ghosh of 4C Associates shares insights in Finance Derivative on why evolving operating models are essential for sustainable profit...
Sep 18 2025

The Squeezed Middle: Unlocking Growth for Europe’s Mid-Sized Life Sciences Companies

Is Your Life Sciences Firm Stuck in the Middle? Across the UK and Europe, mid-sized life sciences companies—those with revenues between...
Sep 17 2025

Bridging the Gap: Why Procurement and the CTO Must Become Strategic Allies

Discover how Procurement and CTOs can become strategic allies to drive innovation, optimise cloud spend, and harness AI. Learn practical...
Sep 17 2025

Resilience, Readiness, and The Future of Defence Supply Chains

“Resilience and readiness are no longer trade-offs—they are mutually reinforcing.” Geopolitics, a lack of clarity, and no shared plan –...

Get in touch to see how we can transform challenges into results