09 March 2021
FirstPort has appointed a Director of Supply Chain Operations to ensure that customers and clients are at the centre of its strategy.
Derren Chamberlain has joined FirstPort from ISS where he was Chief Procurement Officer for just over four years, as well as being part of the senior leadership team for UK and Ireland. Whilst there, he led a full-scale transformation of the function, including policy, processes, people, and systems.
Prior to this, he was Supply Chain Director for the Maritime Services at BAE Systems where he designed and executed a supply chain strategy to improve operational performance, with a strong focus on Estates and Facilities Management.
Derren brings to FirstPort 25 years’ experience of procurement and supply chain leadership. His first priority will be to review and transform FirstPort’s full end-to-end supply chain management approach, with a focus on improving engagement with its suppliers to create demonstrable value to customers and clients.
He will also be defining and finessing how the organisation uses its world class procurement system, Coupa, making sure it is providing FirstPort with measurable evidence of good practice as well as areas where improvements are needed so that they can quickly be addressed.
Speaking of his appointment, Derren says: “My first impressions of FirstPort is a committed team which is professional and holds very strong values. I want to make sure that we are seen as a centre of excellence within the business to support colleagues, and across the industry as we refine and measure our progress. Ultimately, it is about being able to evidence to our customers and clients that we are delivering the best quality and value services possible.
“I’ll be looking at how we evolve and enhance our supply chain, making sure our local and national contractors are working in partnership with us and are fully embedded into our teams to provide a first-class service.”
