It’s not what you buy, it’s how you talk: Communication, talent, and transformation in procurement

Great procurement transformation doesn’t start with frameworks or technology - it starts with communication. In this episode, Tom Mills sits down with Richard Jamison, Director responsible for Procurement, Property and Workplace, to unpack why soft skills are often the most undervalued (and most critical) capability in procurement.

Richard shares how strong communication became the backbone of leading change at Grant Thornton, from aligning senior stakeholders to bringing teams on the journey through transformation. He reflects on why explaining the “why” matters just as much as delivering the “what”, and how procurement leaders can build credibility, trust, and momentum through clear, human conversations rather than process-heavy interventions.

The discussion also turns to talent and team building - including the story of how Richard may have “stolen” one of Tom’s best procurement people! From there, Richard offers practical advice on recruitment and interviewing: what he really looks for beyond technical procurement knowledge, how to spot strong communicators, and why curiosity, empathy, and adaptability often outperform experience alone.

Throughout the conversation, Richard makes a compelling case for reframing procurement as a people business first and a commercial function second. Whether you’re leading transformation, hiring your next team member, or trying to elevate procurement’s influence in your organisation, this episode is a powerful reminder that how you communicate can be your biggest lever for impact.

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