ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, CORPORATE SUPPLIER AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, ATKINS, 35
If you shop at Asda, you’re likely to have seen some of Chris Graves’ handiwork on display.
While employed by the supermarket he helped to renegotiate a programme for better deals on shelves, checkouts, shop fitting, catering equipment and new staff uniforms.
The retailer doubled its income from photo booths to £2 million, thanks to Graves’ contract renegotiation skills. From Asda, Graves moved to property consultancy Atkins in 2006, initially as procurement manager before taking up his current role.
He quickly developed a category strategy to review business travel, reducing agency costs by 5 per cent and creating potential savings of £1.8 million.
Following a six-month secondment to Atkins’ client Barclays Bank, where he saved nearly £4.5 million, he took up his current role, which involves responsibility for a supplier management team that looks after £120 million of spend.
As well as developing supply chain policies and processes, Graves has also developed and leads a procurement network across the Atkins group that allows buyers to share expertise and best practice.
