The No1 Partner to the world's biggest brands and the largest public sector departments across the UK, EU & US With the largest network of upper-quartile, mid to C-Suite talent and trusted associates across our specialisms
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How Will Procurement Functions Create Value Beyond Savings in 2026?
How Will Procurement Functions Create Value Beyond Savings in 2026?In 2026, Procurement’s mandate will expand beyond traditional cost optimisation. During December, we gathered opinion and insight from our network of cross-industry Procurement & Supply Chain leaders in the UK, Europe and US. Their perspectives offered a clear consensus: va...
September 2025 - "Business Partnering"; What is it?
September 2025 - What is business partnering?Procurement have been saying they need to 'do it better' for the past 10 years but does anyone have a winning formula?' In the latest of 1st Executive’s CPO Insight series we posed this question to our network of global procurement leaders.🔑 What Business Partnering Means to Procurement:Business part...
May 2025 - How are Smart Leaders Tackling Procurement Challenges?
The Biggest Procurement Challenges in 2025 — And How Smart Leaders Are Tackling ThemDuring Q1 1st Executive explored the issues that have been identified as key challenges for our network of CPO’s and Supply Chain Directors globally. The last 12 months have been a masterclass in resilience for global supply chains. From geopolitical tension...
February 2025 - CPO of the future; what does it take?
Chief Procurement Officer of the Future: Key Skills and Attributes
As global business landscapes evolve, so too does the role of the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO).
As part of our Market Insights Series 1st Executive gathered opinion from our global CPO and future procurement leaders network asking, “Future CPO what does it take? “
To rema...
October 2024 - The Emerging Impact of AI in Procurement
In September, 1st Executive explored the emerging impact of AI tools across our clients Procurement & Supply Chain functions. Through discussion with our network of global CPO’s and Supply Chain Directors we sought insight on the benefits that can be derived, and the impact the changing landscape is having on talent and hiring plans.Hav...
Largest provider of Interims within procurement, supply chain and risk
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Largest independent recruiter in procurement, supply chain and risk
about us
Experts in delivering Management Consultancy Solutions, also Europe’s largest specialist recruiter within Procurement & Supply Chain, Commercial Strategy & Delivery, Risk Management, CCM (Complex Contract Management, QS and Sustainability. We have trusted associates we've worked with for many years on major projects, with the added advantage of accessing the wider market should we be called on for specialist expertise.
Meet the leadership team
Just like you, our people are genuine specialists in their field – their recruitment expertise is underpinned by real depth of market sector and discipline knowledge. Our senior team, profiled below, is supported by a team of researchers and experienced consultants.
We are the largest specialist in our sector but are still agile enough to be able to offer ambitious consultants a bespoke career path with an entrepreneur led business that fosters an environment for grown-ups.
We expect a lot from our people – but tend to attract and retain individuals who expect a lot from their careers too. We have opportunities for trainees who are interested in business and commerce for our Graduate Academy; experienced recruiters to join us as consultant/senior consultant or associate director level – and career changers who have a passion for people and networking.
our client testimonials
“People look for different things in a recruitment consultant. For me it is having an unlimited source of contacts and industry knowledge, being open and honest in their dealing with me, working for me and ensuring the opportunities they put me forward for are a hand in glove fit to my skills and experiences. Sally has all of the above behaviours and has every time worked hard with her team to source the right opportunities for me. Furthermore I can honestly say that Sally is just, and quite simply a very nice person to work with and has fulfilled my expectations of a trustworthy, honest, knowledgeable recruiter.”
Interim Procurement Unit Officer – The Home Office
“I have had the privilege of working with Tom in transitioning to a new position that offers the opportunity to grow both soft and hard skills that are marketable in the new economy. He is a consummate professional that communicates frankly, follows up timely and negotiates fairly.”
Procurement Director – Revlon
“I have worked with 1st Executive for a number of years now and have found them to be excellent at their job - both in terms of professionalism, and also how hard they work to find their candidates the right roles. They develop long lasting and high-value relationships which yield results.
They are helpful, providing support across every step of the journey between identifying roles and matching them to the right profiles, and also when supporting interview prep, and on boarding candidates, and are always positive even when things get tough. I could not recommend 1st Executive highly enough.”
Senior Procurement Manager - Nike
“Sally is a very experienced and capable director who has a great deal of common sense, integrity and a strong understanding of procurement. It has been a pleasure to work with her.”
Interim Procurement Consultant HSBC
“I would just like to let you know that Samir has been excellent during the whole process of my recruitment phase. He has been very professional and prepared me for my interview with Inmarsat to a high level, which has led me to receiving a job offer in a very short space of time and which I have accepted. He has been thoroughly professional and a joy to work with.”
Sourcing Specialist – Inmarsat
“During my search for a new position, I searched internationally, more specifically in Western Europe. Tom was my key go-to contact in Europe to discuss opportunities I found as well as some he presented to me. He is trustworthy, very positive, and attentive to details, as well as well informed and knowledgeable about the professional areas I was looking for.”
Head of Procurement – FMC
“Kimberley is a recruitment consultant that goes that extra mile. She is a delight to deal with. I met with her in early January 2015. She listened and understood exactly what I wanted for my next role. It seems she also understood the profession, the personalities, and the cultures and therefore the match of the organisations she put me forward for. My success rate (therefore hers) was high and I ended up being in a position to choose. So refreshing for a Recruitment Consultant these days to consider matching the person and the organisation not simply the Buzzwords on the CV.”
Interim Procurement Consultant
“Jim's preparation and attention to the small details were exceptional and he guided me through the different steps which resulted in a very successful outcome, with the company making an offer the same day. I wholeheartedly recommend Jim as a point of contact if you are looking for an interim role.”
Former Purchasing Specialist – Novartis
“Samir was a great help in securing my latest position with Value Retail, from initially recommending the position and employer through to making sure that I was well informed and prepared for interviews throughout. He made a real effort to consider my career aspirations and motivations to make sure he found me a great match. Not only that, but he is a very pleasant chap as well! Highly recommended for great service and great personality!"
Procurement Operations – Value Retail
“All of the things that disappoints people about recruiters - Rebecca was none of these things. Quite the opposite. She managed my hunt with exceptional transparently, always acting, and sharing information with me, in my interests alone. Interview prep was through and the whole process was well-organised. This makes me confident I would get a real, end-to-end recruitment service if I hired 1st Executive, rather than the all-too common stumbling round in the darkness hoping to get lucky approach that many recruiters sadly take. I am so pleased with her approach I would highly recommend both Rebecca and 1st Executive to any colleague or friend.”