SPEAKERS

Procurement Manager – Marketing & Digital, John Lewis &  Partners

With over 30 years of experience across Retail, Pharmaceutical, FMCG, and IT, Justine Walsh has built a reputation for driving innovation and delivering real business impact in Marketing Procurement.

Raised as the sixth of seven children, Justine learned early how to negotiate—and how to make herself heard. As a lifelong stammerer, she once feared she’d never be an effective communicator—only to realise it was her superpower. 

She developed the grit, patience, and sharp thinking that now define her approach, proving that great communication is far more than just fluency. Known for bold opinions and sharp storytelling, she challenges conventional thinking and ensures procurement is seen as a growth driver, not just savings.

Justine has a deep interest in human intelligence – the power of influence, creativity, and strategic thinking- which she believes is one of the most underrated yet powerful tools in procurement.  As AI takes on more transactional tasks, these uniquely human skills will become more critical than ever.

She’s been fortunate to work alongside incredible mentors and industry pioneers who have shaped her thinking and pushed her to challenge the status quo.

And when she’s not shaking up procurement, Justine is dancing. Her greatest love is dance, and she still dreams of touring with Riverdance one day!