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About CIPS Foundation

The CIPS Foundation exists to transform people’s lives through professionalising procurement and supply chains. By using best practice procurement as a system lever, the Foundation is tackling environmental and social issues head-on to embed lasting systemic change.

Our funded programmes implement procurement and supply chain interventions to address climate action, economic inequality, reduce hunger and poverty and tackle human rights abuses.  What sets us apart from other grant-makers is the expertise an intervention that CIPS brings to these projects. Our global standards in procurement and supply create lasting change. By professionalising procurement and supply, we embed solid foundations for sustainable growth and create agents for change. Each year a percentage of CIPS membership fees is assigned to fund these amazing projects.

CIPS Foundation Theory of Change model

The Theory of Change model, widely used by charitable organisations, maps out the change we want to make and our plans for achieving that change.

The model helps us to stay true to CIPS’ purpose to “professionalise global procurement and supply chains to drive a commercial, ethical and sustainable world.

How

Increase knowledge and skills
Embed robust procurement practices
Influence change

Activities

Bursaries for individuals
Implementing CIPS Global Standards
Grants for charitible projects
Using our voice to influence change

Outcomes and Impact

Better access to education
Tackling human rights and modern slavery
Driving equal opportunities
Improving economic inequality
Fighting climate change
More responsible consumption of resources
High standards of ethical procurement

What we fund

CIPS Foundation awards grants to registered charities to support projects or initiatives that help to improve supply chains. Aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our Body of Work focuses on addressing the following most pressing environmental and social issues in supply chains that impact vulnerable people and the planet.

We fund established charities that are skilled and knowledgeable in tackling issues affecting communities in the UK and/or worldwide.

Click here to find out more about our funding process.

Strategic themes
Tackling economic inequality
Human right and modern slavery
Access to education
Driving equal opportunity
Responsible consumption of resources
Climate change
Ethical procurement (inc fraud, bribery & corruption)

How we are governed

CIPS Foundation is a linked charity of CIPS and therefore governed by the same Charter, Bye-laws and Regulations. CIPS Foundation Committee is a subset of CIPS Global Board of Trustees, and has a governance role and fiduciary responsibilities. The Committee brings appropriate advice and challenge on strategic decisions and ensures we remain true to our purpose.

Meet the committee

Juliet Sotnick, FCIPS, GBT Trustee

Juliet Sotnick was VP Procurement and Supply Chain at IHS Towers, focusing on emerging international markets. She has served as Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer at Babcock International Group.

In this role, she was leading a global team of 1,000 people. Prior to that, she was Group Head of Procurement at Sky and Managing Director at Bear Stearns & Co. in New York. Juliet holds a Masters in Business Administration from New York University, has completed the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Programme at Harvard University and is an accredited Executive Coach. Juliet has been a Fellow of CIPS since 2016.
Kenneth Jones, GBT Trustee

Ken Jones has dedicated thirty years to international development projects in Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. Alongside lecturing in accounting and finance, Ken has extensive experience in audit, risk, and performance.

Ken has experience in financial management at several organisations. Until June 2022, he was the Chief Operating Officer of TradeMark East Africa, leading the procurement function and holding responsibility for over $1bn of spend. He is a governor and board member at multiple third-sector organisations and currently sits on the CIPS Foundation Committee.
Wael Safwat, FCIPS ExDip , GBT Trustee

Wael is a seasoned business executive with over 29 years of international experience. He currently serves as the Middle East Lead for Sustainable Procurement & Value Chain at Accenture.

Wael has held senior roles as Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific for Fortune 500 companies and prominent regional conglomerates. His expertise in procurement and supply chain management has led to award-winning transformation programs that have significantly advanced the capabilities of leading organisations.

In addition to his executive roles, Wael is an expert in sustainability and shared services. He has successfully developed and implemented global transformation roadmaps, operating models, digital solutions, and upskilling programs.

A veteran member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) for over 20 years, Wael currently chairs the CIPS MENA Fellows and is a member of the CIPS Global Membership Committee.
Nikki Archer FCIPS (chartered)

Nikki has directed and delivered transformational change projects for over 30 years within public and private sectors at a local, national and international level. With a key role in driving reform, Nikki specialises in progressive procurement and supply chain approaches to deliver sustainable outcomes; driving whole systems approaches through robust programme management; and building high performing teams.

As Head of Procurement & PPM Policy & Strategy; Head of Procurement Profession; & Head of the PPM Centre of Expertise for Scottish Government, Nikki is accountable for setting national policy and standards and leading change programmes to embed procurement, commercial and PPM capability. A current member of the CIPS Foundation Committee and the Institute of Directors, with over 10 years’ experience as a trustee and/or board member.
Marc Hutchinson FCIPS

Marc is a global commercial and procurement leader with over 25 years’ experience delivering functional and enterprise transformation across Aerospace & Defence, Construction & FM, and Energy Technology.

He champions procurement as a strategic discipline, to strengthen professional standards, embed ESG and ethical practice, and unlock innovation and long-term value through effective collaboration. He also prioritises the development of future talent across the profession.

A Chartered Engineer with an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive MBA, Marc has volunteered with CIPS since 2012, became a Fellow in 2013, and served as a Global Board Trustee from 2018 to 2024, where he played a key role in CIPS’ organisational transformation.  Marc actively supports the growth and reach of the CIPS Foundation.