ScottishPower - The Power of Procurement

The Power of Procurement

At the heart of ScottishPower’s operations lies a team of dedicated professionals who ensure the smooth running of every aspect of the business - the Procurement Team. Led by Ross Henderson, Procurement and Insurance Director, this 70-strong department is responsible for securing contracts across all areas of ScottishPower, including Renewables - Onshore and Offshore, Customer, Networks, and Corporate.

Procurement at ScottishPower is not just about securing contracts; it’s about adding value, supporting business growth and contributing to a greener future for all. From contracts for wind turbines and customer call centre contracts to supporting new Green Hydrogen projects, the Procurement Team is involved in every area of the business.

So, what makes procurement at ScottishPower unique? It’s the mix of its commitment to sustainability and the breadth and diversity of projects. As Ross Henderson puts it, “The path to Net Zero is at the heart of the delivery of the ScottishPower Group. As part of the Procurement Team, we are ensuring that sustainability is a priority - not just in the delivery of the business to deliver clean energy - but to ensure we have a sustainable supply base as well.

“Our work is hugely varied. For example, we’re responsible for securing contracts for new onshore and offshore wind turbines - as well as the existing fleet. We’re also involved in securing what the business needs in a huge investment programme to upgrade the networks infrastructure to have the capacity to cope with the increased electrical needs and how we move electricity round the network with the significant renewables generation.

“We ensure we have customer call centre contracts to support our customer business and we support the Smart technologies that we offer to customers such as solar panels, EV charging points, heat pumps and batteries.  We are also working with the business on potential new Green Hydrogen projects. 

“In the Corporate area we’re supporting the acquisition of vehicles for Fleet, maintenance of all the buildings and all the services employees need, like IT and mobile technologies, as well as from an HR perspective.  We are also supporting our communications and media requirements to ensure we have appropriate contracts in place; so, it’s a huge remit.”

As a Procurement Consultant for ScottishPower’s Green Hydrogen Business, Koldo Santamarina Eguia was drawn to ScottishPower by the opportunity to work in renewable energy - a sector critical to a greener future. Working on green hydrogen projects still in their early stages involves strategic planning, from feasibility to commissioning, offering Koldo the chance to influence decisions and seek specialist advice within the larger Iberdrola group. “My role will determine whether the projects will come to fruition or not, as procurement is managing all the different sourcing activities leading to the Final Investment Decision,” he says, “my role places me where high level broad initiatives meet reality.”

John-James Kerr is a Procurement Consultant in the Networks Transmission team. His role involves managing the full procurement process, from market engagement to contract signing for overhead power lines and electrical plant within substations. For John-James, the constant stream of work and varied projects ensures that no two days are the same, keeping the job exciting and dynamic. He ensures ScottishPower’s mission to help the UK meet future energy challenges in a cleaner, renewable, more affordable and more secure way plays out in procurement. “We only work with contractors who have the same sustainable ideologies as ScottishPower and always assist with contractors who are looking to improve as well.”

Hannah Rutherford, a Senior Procurement Consultant, supports the Onshore Renewables business. Her role involves acquiring goods and services for significant infrastructure projects across Wind, Solar, and BESS technologies. She develops procurement and contracting strategies, leads tendering processes, and manages supplier relationships. Hannah's journey from the Procurement Graduate Programme to a key role in large-scale projects demonstrates the growth opportunities within ScottishPower and she’s looking forward to completing her CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply in the next 12 months. It’s the potential for growth and the wider opportunities within the business that made ScottishPower an attractive place to work, says Hannah. “Being part of a global company, where there are a number of opportunities available and supported is one of the best bits about working at ScottishPower. One highlight for me was my short secondment to the Madrid office, where I worked for 3 months.”

For Koldo, John-James and Hannah, the next 12 months promise continuous learning and new challenges. Procurement is often seen as the unsung hero of the workplace; at ScottishPower it’s more than just a corporate function, it’s a critical part of the company’s commitment to sustainability, Net Zero and a cleaner, greener future for all.

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