An international, cross-industry career that has moved from corporate management to extensive research, advisory and capability development services to public, private and third sector organisations. Tim has lived and worked in the UK, France (3 years) and United States (20 years), building an impressive research and entrepreneurial record, with demonstrated commitment to delivering social benefit.

As Founder and President, World Commerce & Contracting (formerly International Association for Contract & Commercial Management), Tim has built a 72,000 member worldwide non-profit association which increasingly influences commercial policies and contracting practices in major corporations and governments. In September 2019, he was presented with the Financial Times ‘Market Shaper of the Year’ Award.

Tim was until recently Professor and Chair, International Commercial & Contract Management, University of Leeds, School of Law, where he taught and led development of inter-disciplinary commercial programs.

Prior to founding World Commerce & Contracting, Tim was on the Chairman’s staff at IBM Corporation and led the development of worldwide commercial processes and skills. His early career included management roles in banking, automotive and aerospace industries, where he led negotiations up to $1.5 billion in value. He has served in advisory roles for government departments in various countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Rod Wade, Vice President Contract Management & Procurement is an executive team member at MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. in San Diego, California reporting to MedImpact’s CFO and is responsible for all corporate contracting, procurement and negotiation activities. Rod leads teams that support sales and buy-side contracting, as well as MedImpact’s procurement and vendor relations operations. Rod’s teams provide support to MedImpact’s Sales, Account, Finance, Legal, Regulatory, Network, International, IT, Health Services, Government Services, M&A and affiliate/subsidiary companies.

Prior to joining MedImpact, Rod was Senior Manager, Contracts at American Specialty Health, Inc. in San Diego and prior to that was Senior Contract Consultant/Assistant Secretary for Prudential Insurance Company of America, Prudential Health Care Plan, Inc., and Prudential HealthCare Plan of California, Inc. in Los Angeles, California.

Rod attended the University of California Berkeley, received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from California State University Northridge and a Master of Business Administration degree from California Lutheran University.

John Proverbs has more than 20 years of procurement and supply experience. John is currently the Head of Procurement at KLA Corporation. John joined KLA in 2003 as the Senior Director of Procurement. Notably in 2013 KLA was recognized by the IAAPS in 2013 for Best-In-Class Outsourcing Management, as well as by the ISM for its Excellence in Supply Management. KLA-Tencor was a recipient of the ISM's inaugural 2006 R. Gene Richter Award for Leadership and Excellence in Supply Management. John actively participates in industry forums. John is also on the Advisory Board for the UCSD Rady School of Management’s Institute for Supply Excellence and Innovation. Prior to KLA, John was a Senior Executive at a start-up engaged in strategic sourcing solutions. Previously, John was an integral member of the procurement teams at Hewlett-Packard and IBM that received, in 1992 and in 1999 respectively, Purchasing Magazine's Medal of Professional Excellence for organizing global procurement transformation. While at IBM, he led global sourcing teams. He has experience in both direct and indirect supply chain with strong skills in strategy development, strategic sourcing, outsourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, contracts development, negotiations, creating operational excellence and building organizational capability.

Linda is an Executive Vice President and Group Head of Commercial & Contract Management for Capgemini.

In her role she leads Commercial and Contract Management functions across various countries. Her key mission is to ensure that CCM brings commercial and contract excellence to the business helping to enable Capgemini’s clients to receive innovative services that deliver real business value.

Linda’s earlier career with Capgemini included technical, delivery, sales and account management roles, giving her insights into client needs from varied perspectives. Before joining Capgemini in 1992 via an outsourcing contract, she worked for the Granada Group where she held a number of business analysis and technical IT roles.