Business Breakfast: Sustainable Procurement In Action
Description
Every purchase you make for your organisation is an opportunity to drive real sustainability impact.
But for many procurement professionals, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Competing priorities, budget pressures, and an ever-growing list of expectations make it hard to know which actions will truly move the needle.
Eco Choice Aotearoa's expanded Sustainable Procurement Toolkit includes the framework and resources to help you buy better for people and planet, while de-risking procurement. Developed in partnership with the Procurement Excellence Forum and TCO Development, this free resource equips procurement leaders like you to make responsible purchasing decisions with confidence.
Join us for breakfast and hear from experts on:
The wide-ranging benefits of sustainable procurement
How to put the Sustainable Procurement Toolkit into practice
Insights from companies committed to responsible manufacturing
Plus, don't miss your chance to win a brand new HP Poly Voyager Focus 2 headset in our lucky draw. Register your details to go into the draw, and the winner will be announced during the event.
This event is proudly sponsored by HP and Tonkin + Taylor.
Our Speakers
Laura Gemmell, CEO of Eco Choice Aotearoa
Laura believes procurement is an unseen superhero of sustainability. She is a passionate advocate for using it to create positive environmental and social impact. Through her leadership at Eco Choice Aotearoa, New Zealand’s official ecolabel, she shapes and promotes responsible business practices and champions companies committed to sustainability and ethical supply chains. In 2024, she partnered with the Procurement Excellence Forum to develop the first Sustainable Procurement Toolkit, providing practical guidance and resources for procurement professionals to make responsible purchasing decisions with confidence.
Abhay Kolhe, Principal Advisor of Employment System Guidance & Engagement team at Employment NZ
Having spent 37+ years in the Hospitality and Retail sector at a senior/national management level, Abhay honed his skills in building custom end-to-end assurance systems and processes. His particular interest in fair treatment of workers was inspired when he started working to stamp out worker exploitation in the liquor industry. His team works with business and government leaders to ensure they, and the organisations they work with, provide fair workplaces as employers, procurers, franchisors, recruiters, directors, investors.
Clare Hobby, Director of External Engagement at TCO Certified
Clare oversees purchaser engagement programs worldwide for TCO, global independent sustainability certification for IT products. TCO Certified is used by procuring organisations and the IT industry worldwide as a tool for driving environmental and supply chain responsibility into the IT ecosystem. A dynamic speaker, leader and long- time advocate for sustainability in action, Clare is active in a number of sustainability initiatives in the IT space, including a board member of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council.
Shannon Harris, Managing Director at HP New Zealand
Shannon is responsible for leading HP’s strategy, operations, and market engagement across the country. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Shannon has a strong track record in commercial leadership, relationship management, and team performance. She is a culture-first leader who puts people at the centre, fostering an environment where high-performing teams thrive, and lasting partnerships are built.
Jonathan Vidak, Sales Director at Vidak
With over 25 years of industry experience, Jonathan Vidak spent years in Wellington building Vidak through strong relationships across all levels of government property and procurement. During this time, he played a key role in the Wellington Accommodation Project (WAP2), contributing to a number of landmark projects including the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct (CJESP) and multiple tenant fit-outs at Bowen Campus. He also supported the successful implementation of the All-of-Government (AoG) contract and furniture supplier panel. Having returned to Auckland at the end of 2025, Jonathan is now focused on bringing his extensive government and commercial expertise to new opportunities in the region.
Facilitated by Simon Harvey, Principal Consultant at Tonkin + Taylor
Simon Harvey is a sustainability consultant with 20 years’ experience. He helps organisations turn ESG and sustainability challenges into actionable strategy and better decisions; whilst creating more value for his clients and their stakeholders.
Agenda
- 7:00 am
Breakfast and networking
- 7:30 am
Presentation of Sustainable Procurement Toolkit by Laura Gemmell
- 7:45 am
Panel discussion
- 8:40 am
Lucky draw
- 8:45 am
Event wraps
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
