AI, resilience and data have emerged as leading priorities for global procurement leaders, according to Proxima’s 2026 CPO Report.
“While technology is the most prominent discussion point within this year’s report, the underlying message is more about leadership, through a period of disruption and into one of design. The next 12 months in procurement will be exciting, as concepts and changes that have long been discussed begin to be implemented at scale. So, for current and aspiring leaders, the challenge is no longer whether change is coming, but how they choose to lead it,” says Simon Geale, EVP at Proxima.
Key takeaways:
· The report uncovers the key risk areas that are front of mind for procurement leaders this year, such as heightened geopolitical risk, the increasingly complex regulatory landscape, ongoing talent challenges and the fast-evolving capabilities of AI.
· The report also details how CPOs are advancing the value of procurement and leading their teams through change by adjusting their operating models, decision-making frameworks, and priorities.
· In 2026, the transition from a disruption-led to a design-led approach is taking place.
