Harold Talbot-Tomlinson is Procurement Lead at South Derbyshire District Council, where he has led the rebuilding and modernisation of the council’s procurement function following a period of outsourcing. His role focuses on positioning procurement as a strategic enabler of organisational change, supporting transformation and long-term value creation. Since joining the council, Harold has developed a new Procurement Strategy, refreshed Contract Procedure Rules, introduced improved planning and assurance processes, and worked closely with services to raise the quality of commissioning and supplier engagement. Alongside his day job, Harold is Communications Officer for the CIPS East Midlands Branch, where he focuses on professional engagement and knowledge sharing across the region.