Our Distinguished Judges

Steve is a seasoned procurement professional with over 50 years of experience across both the public and private sectors. His career spans from lecturing with CIPS in the 1970s to playing a pivotal role in the growth of In-tend Ltd from 2006, and he now serves as Executive Chairperson of the leading e-procurement solutions company. He has worked with global organisations including the United Nations across America, Europe and other regions, helping organisations deliver best practice and improved procurement performance.

Early in his career, Steve undertook intensive professional training at Chartridge Lodge in Buckinghamshire, which at the time was run by the British Oxygen global. The programme brought together international professionals, including many from the United States, creating a highly demanding and globally influenced learning environment. In the 1970s Steve also studied criminal and commercial law, knowledge which continues to inform his practical and strategic approach to procurement today.

Qualified in procurement and working with CIPS, Steve lectured at the University of Aston and several colleges for more than 15 years. Over the course of his career he has worked with prominent organisations including BOC, GEC, Sheffield City Council and The University of Sheffield, and has collaborated with organisations such as the NAO, NEUPC and YPO in a variety of leadership roles. He has also worked as a consultant supporting procurement re-engineering programmes across both public and private sector organisations.

Steve is passionate about supporting the development of the procurement profession and mentoring emerging professionals through apprenticeships wherever possible. He is regularly invited to speak at highly publicised industry events and conferences and contributes to the profession through his involvement with the leading procurement publication, In-procurement.

Caroline is a CIPS-qualified procurement professional with more than 30 years of experience within the public sector. Prior to joining In-tend, Caroline built extensive procurement and operational experience within the NHS and local government sectors before moving into the higher education sector at The University of Sheffield. These roles provided her with a detailed appreciation of the varied procurement challenges faced by public bodies, from the complex and highly regulated healthcare environment to the service-driven requirements of local authorities and universities. This breadth of experience has enabled her to develop a well-rounded and practical understanding of procurement strategy, stakeholder engagement and the legislative frameworks governing public sector purchasing.

Involved with In-tend since inception as Director of Operations, she has brought with her enthusiasm and a wealth of procurement, service delivery and operational experience. In this role she was responsible for overseeing key operational functions and supporting the company's continued development and growth. Her contributions have included supporting successful tender outcomes that enabled sustained sales growth, helping to develop international networks that strengthened the organisation's global presence, and overseeing the implementation of recognised ISO accreditations that demonstrate the company's commitment to quality, security and effective management systems. She has also been closely involved in staff development, mentoring colleagues and empowering individuals to develop their skills and reach their full professional potential.

Caroline is passionate about high-quality service delivery and strong governance. She now undertakes the role of Chief Compliance Officer, ensuring the organisation remains aligned with current procurement guidance, regulatory expectations and legislative requirements.

Managing In-tend's own Procurement Services department, Arron is a CIPS qualified procurement practitioner and has been a member of the team for over a decade. During this period, he has been involved in multiple large scale projects on behalf of clients within the public sector and provided advice and guidance on a range of procurement related matters, helping solve unique problems whilst minimising risk and guiding customers toward successful outcomes.

Arron has been involved in projects across the entire spectrum of the public sector, within multiple categories and projects including establishing dynamic purchasing systems, framework agreements, running and advising on reverse auctions and countless procurement procedures at all contract value levels. Arron has authored procurement training materials and provided ad hoc guidance as part of the department's own services and continues to be a hands-on contributor to the Procurement Services Team.

As a result of this experience, Arron has become well versed in Public Procurement Law, already possessing a strong understanding of the previous legislation, case law and guidance. Arron builds on this robust foundation by more recently studying the Public Procurement Act 2023 and associated articles, contributing to the Procurement Standards Awards from the perspective of an experienced public procurement professional.

Chris Smith is an international procurement specialist with more than four decades of experience supporting public procurement reform. Throughout his career he has worked extensively with multilateral development organisations, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, providing strategic advisory services across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and the Middle East. He is also the procurement advisor to Transparency International and the Open Contracting Partnership, which are core participants in the procurement module of the COVID-19 Inquiry.

Chris is recognised for his deep expertise in electronic government procurement and the digital transformation of public procurement systems. He has helped governments design, assess and implement modern e-procurement platforms, advising on system architecture, functional requirements, governance frameworks and digital transformation. His work involves collaborating with ministries of finance, procurement authorities and development partners to strengthen transparency, efficiency and accountability in public procurement.

A member of CIPS, Chris has contributed to capacity-building initiatives, policy development and training for government officials and project teams. His practical experience in procurement, combined with his insight into international best practice, enables him to support countries in building sustainable procurement systems aligned with global standards and adaptable to future digital needs.