CENTRAL CO-OP
PAUL LOCKWOOD TITLE : HEAD OF PROCUREMENT COMPANY : CENTRAL CO-OP LOCATION : ALREWAS , ENGLAND
became Head of Procurement just a couple of weeks after the global energy crisis escalated thanks to Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine .
However , as the saying goes , in the midst of chaos there is also opportunity . That opportunity for Central Co-op came in the form of accelerating its investment in solar power , an important future-proofing strategy that had long been discussed . Solar panels were installed at two convenience stores by the end of July ; within a further eight weeks , Lockwood and his team had tended and contracted a provider to roll out solar panels at no less than 180 stores by end of 2023 .
EXECUTIVE BIO
Paul Lockwood has worked in the field of procurement for more than 20 years , including in both the public and private sectors . For six years , Paul headed up procurement at BNP Paribas Personal Finance , before moving to Dignity in 2019 to lead the company ’ s procurement transformation programme . Last year he joined Central Co-op to look after GNFR for the entire retail and funeral business . Over the past 18 months , he has overseen the rollout of solar panels across 180 stores and modernisation of the organisation ’ s ceremonial fleet . Paul has a proven track record in delivering year-on-year savings and process improvements through the application of innovative business techniques and by optimising operating and delivery models .