RICHARD BOYCE
VODAFONE PROCUREMENT & CONNECTIVITY
An ongoing digital transformation journey When Ninian took charge of Vodafone Procurement Company , the department had already undergone various changes , but the next phase of its evolution was a leap into digital transformation . “ Nine years ago , we decided that we would like to go through our next level of transformation , which was going digital ,” he says . This move laid the groundwork for the organisation to adopt digital tools and processes , modernising procurement operations across the company .
A significant shift in recent years has been the use of AI technologies . “ With the advent of generative AI , large language models , the opportunity to transform more mundane tasks and automate them is startling ,” says Ninian . Richard agrees , expanding on how Vodafone Procurement & Connectivity is embracing AI to fuel autonomous procurement . “ I think the rise of AI is a great thing for those that seize it , exploit it , utilise it and deliver the value that it promises ,” he says . “ Whether that is dictating customer-focused emails in a basic sense or really delivering autonomous procurement , which is a direction that we ’ re actively focused on into the future .”
By taking away basic category management , RFP and procurement tasks , procurement at Vodafone will be better equipped to upskill staff to focus on areas like core transmission , radio access networks and global brand deals – areas Richard cannot see automation coming in .
“ Those are areas where there ’ s always going to be a need for the experts ,” he says . “ AI will play a supporting role , not a leading one .”
Pursuing this AI transformation is about so much more than just traditional operational efficiency : it is about positioning Vodafone Procurement & Connectivity as a forward-thinking company and staying ahead of the technology curve .
RICHARD BOYCE
TITLE : HEAD OF SERVICE DELIVERY
INDUSTRY : PROCUREMENT LOCATION : LUXEMBOURG
Richard is Head of Service Delivery , serving our third-party customers , JVs and partners with Roaming , Voice / IPX and Supply Chain products , offering end-to-end services , expertise , service and delivery .
Prior to joining Vodafone in November 2019 Richard was CEO at Altitude Global for 10-years , an aviation maintenance company , operating worldwide , and has held several senior executive roles in procurement and supply chain in the UK at the Post Office , Royal Mail Group and Cable & Wireless across the UK , Singapore , and Australia
18 January 2025