Opening Welcome10:00 – 10:10
Opening Address from the GSA
Strategic sourcing is turning on a pin, for buyers and service providers alike. Everyone needs to adapt and change FAST or be left behind. This year's Festival sets out what everyone needs to focus on to be the winners in this new AI-fronted race. It is about being accountable for business growth and reputation, investing in people and skills to thrive alongside AI, and embedding sustainability and ESG into every sourcing decision.
Kerry Hallard, CEO, Global Sourcing Association
Session10:10 – 10:30
The Rise of the Autonomous Enterprise
This opening keynote explores the rise of the Autonomous Enterprise and how AI, agents, automation, and connected enterprise data are reshaping the future of work and operating models. It covers the shift from isolated AI use cases to end-to-end autonomous value streams, the evolving balance between human and machine decision-making, and the governance required to scale AI effectively.
Rakesh Parameshwara B, Director, ISG – Information Services Group
Best Practice Session10:30 – 10:45
AI and Agile Sourcing – Reinventing the Model with Accountability
A practical look at how organisations are embedding AI into sourcing today, streamlining processes, accelerating RFPs, and ensuring adoption enhances both performance and accountability.
Hemant Puthli, Chair, GSA Agile Sourcing Working Group and Co-founder, Aokah
Keynote10:45 – 11:05
From Good to Great to Excellent – Procurement's Journey
Harinder tells the transformation story so far of the UK's largest B Corp. Motability has achieved great but has set its sights on excellence. Charting Motability's procurement transformation, the lessons learned and the milestones ahead, this keynote explores why procurement teams need to broaden their horizons, evolve fixed mindsets, and bring sustainability and sourcing together as equal priorities.
Harinder Bansal, Head of Procurement and Third Party Risk, Motability
Critical Panel11:05 – 11:30
The Scale-Ups Sourcing Playbook
We're not here to hear how procurement has always been done. We're here to discover how the fastest-growing companies are rewriting the rules. High-growth disruptors Monzo, Vitality and Motability reveal how they are redefining strategic sourcing in the AI era, balancing speed, innovation, and accountability while raising expectations of service providers.
Harinder Bansal, Head of Procurement and Third Party Risk, MotabilityChris Wilson, Director of Procurement, VitalityKarl Fuhrmann, Senior Procurement Manager, Monzo
☕ Networking Break 11:30 – 11:50
Insight Talk11:50 – 12:15
Outcome-Based Contracts – Are They Really Happening, and What Do They Look Like?
A grounded look at the shift towards outcome-based contracting, whether it is genuinely taking hold across the industry, what these arrangements look like in practice, and how buyers and providers can structure agreements that align incentives around results rather than effort.
David Rickard, Managing Director, Advisory Services, The Knowledge Group
Insight Talk12:15 – 12:30
Contracts Signed Tell the True Story
Imran shares his perspectives through the legal lens: what's being negotiated in, what's being negotiated out, and will AI really kill off the legal profession.
Imran Syed, Partner, DLA Piper
Best Practice12:30 – 12:45
AI-to-AI Contracting – Why Standard Terms Are the Safe Path Forward
As organisations begin using AI to draft contracts and negotiate terms, the risk of complexity, inconsistency, and unintended outcomes increases. This session explores why industry-standard contracts provide a more reliable, transparent foundation in an AI-driven negotiation environment, and how they help safeguard trust, compliance, and long-term value.
David Jones, Founder, Clausify and Chair, GSA Contracting Working Group
Legal Panel12:45 – 13:10
Modernising Contracting in the Age of AI
Contracts are no longer just about managing risk, they're becoming strategic tools for enabling innovation, collaboration and responsible use of AI. This panel brings together leading legal experts to discuss how the sourcing profession can modernise its approach to contracting without sacrificing the protections organisations depend on.
Imran Syed, Partner, DLA PiperMegan Paul, Partner, Charles Russell SpeechlysDavid Jones, Founder, Clausify and Chair, GSA Contracting Working Group
🍽 Networking Lunch 13:10 – 13:50
Fireside Chat13:50 – 14:10
The Future of CX – Are Service Providers Failing to Transform Fast Enough?
As enterprise buyers evolve rapidly, are traditional service providers keeping up or are legacy models holding them back? Or is it the client that says they want AI and innovation, yet rarely commits?
John Callachan, Director, Go-FusionDavid Rickard, Managing Director, Advisory Services, The Knowledge Group
Keynote14:10 – 14:25
If AI Writes Code, Why Do We Still Need Developers?
Exploring the evolving role of software development companies and the responsibility to balance automation with human expertise, creativity, and accountability.
Pavlo Yalovol, Vice President, Intetics
Session14:25 – 14:45
Responsible AI… with More Than Equal
Avenga and the global motorsports initiative More Than Equal partnered to develop FutureLap, a standardised intelligence platform designed to find and develop the first female Formula 1 World Champion. The system uses AI and data science to objectively track, compare and nurture emerging race talent, removing unconscious bias from motorsport scouting and helping talented women break into the highest tiers of motor racing.
Fran Longstaff, Chief Innovation Officer, More Than EqualLiselott Lading, Head of Business Consulting, Avenga
Session14:45 – 15:00
Data, Control, and Digital Sovereignty
Why responsible data ownership, governance, and jurisdiction are now central to sourcing strategies, and essential to building trust and resilience.
Egil Fujikawa Nes, Chief Technology Officer, 99x Group
Futures Talk15:00 – 15:15
AI in Practice – Futures Mapping and Risk Mitigation for GCCs
Shortlisted for GSA's Technology Innovator of the Year Award 2026, Hemant talks us through the art of the possible in using AI to plan the locations of your next Global Capability Centre.
Hemant Puthli, Chair, GSA Agile Sourcing Working Group and Co-founder, Aokah
Keynote15:15 – 15:30
The Marathon Mindset: Responsible AI for the Long Run
Responsible AI adoption is a marathon, not a sprint. This session explores why organisations must build for endurance over hype, deploy AI in ways that genuinely enhance human expertise and accountability, and ensure their people, not just their technology, are ready for what comes next.
Bhavesh Vaghela, CPTO & AI Officer, London Marathon Events
Insight Talk15:30 – 15:45
AI Adoption Is a Culture Problem, Not a Tooling Problem
Cross-border cultural friction leads to a significant loss in productivity. Friction between AI and humans is that on speed. This session looks at the essential work organisations need to take, led from the top, to create harmony between people and agents to deliver optimal results.
Lisa Thorne, Founder and CEO, TogetherGlobal
Closing Comments15:45 – 16:00
The Future of Responsible Sourcing – Faster, Smarter, Bolder
Industry leaders share what's next, and how organisations can lead with responsibility across growth, talent, and sustainability in an AI-first future.
✦ Evening — Racing & Entertainment (4pm onwards) ✦
Networking
Networking & Evening Racing
Private balcony overlooking Sandown Park Racecourse · Racecards & hostess service included
Dining
Three-Course Buffet Dinner
Including cheeseboard, tea & coffee served post-dining
Entertainment
Live Performance: Billy Ocean
An unmissable live set from legendary recording artist Billy Ocean
