Mobile Magazine November 2024 | Page 14

Martin Simper , CPO of Liberty Procurement Services , part of Liberty Global , on the challenges and rewards of converting an in-house function to a modern , customer-facing business
LIBERTY GLOBAL
Martin Simper , CPO of Liberty Procurement Services , part of Liberty Global , on the challenges and rewards of converting an in-house function to a modern , customer-facing business

Martin Simper is a man never keen on being in his comfort zone . As Chief Procurement Officer at Liberty Procurement Services , part of Liberty Global , he has overseen a dramatic transformation of procurement from an internal department to a customer-facing service provider . It has been a significant challenge in terms of technology , process and culture , but one that is already demonstrating great success .

Martin ’ s story in procurement begins after deciding a university maths degree in the UK wasn ’ t for him and going against the advice of the Dean of Mathematics at his university . “ It was quite a difficult conversation to have ,” says Martin . “ I was still not very worldly and he said my career would amount to nothing without a degree . Those were his exact words to me . I got up , shook his hand and said ‘ thank you ’. It just made me more determined to be a success ”
On reflection , Martin knew he could no longer learn in a classroom or lecture theatre and wanted to branch out to a new environment – stepping out of that comfort zone .
He found himself at the mail-order publisher , Grolier , where he moved through departments before stepping
14 November 2024