Brian D’Mello
London,London
Summary
Senior procurement professional with more than 30 years' procurement experience and almost 50 years' service with the British Council. MCIPS-qualified with extensive experience leading regulated and non-regulated procurements across Corporate Services, English & Exams, Cultural Engagement and global operational functions. Recognised across the organisation as a trusted adviser, combining deep procurement expertise with extensive knowledge of British Council operations, governance and stakeholder needs. Proven track record of delivering complex sourcing initiatives, managing commercial risk, supporting strategic decision-making and building procurement capability across international teams. Significant experience developing and delivering procurement training programmes globally, supporting procurement system implementation and improvement, and guiding senior stakeholders through high-profile and complex procurement exercises. Consistently recognised for providing pragmatic advice, constructive challenge and enabling successful business outcomes.
Overview
49
49
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Procurement Manager
British Council
11.2017 - Current
- Lead procurement activity across professional services, digital, technology, facilities management and other complex categories, supporting approximately £100m of annual tender activity.
- Advise Directors, senior leaders and global business teams on procurement strategy, governance, commercial risk and route-to-market decisions.
- Deliver complex regulated and non-regulated procurement exercises, ensuring compliance while maintaining a strong focus on business outcomes.
- Led and supported high-profile procurement projects, including Board Effectiveness Review, Talent Acquisition Platform, ACCA Venue Tender, SELT Tender, Courier Services Tender and Grant Management Services Procurement, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
- Supported procurement of the Eightfold platform, a complex AI-based procurement valued at approximately £1.25m delivered within tight timelines.
- Developed and implemented Global Market Research Framework, establishing strategic route to market for research and insight services.
- Led stakeholder engagement activities, fostering trusted relationships across corporate services, English & exams, cultural engagement and marketing functions to enhance collaboration.
- Support procurement transformation initiatives including implementation and continuous improvement of MyProcurement.
- Act as a recognised subject matter expert for procurement systems, policy and process guidance.
- Moderate supplier evaluations and support robust, transparent and defensible procurement decisions.
- Provide training, coaching and support to both procurement and non-procurement colleagues.
- Built a strong reputation for combining procurement expertise with practical business understanding and stakeholder support.
Procurement Manager / Procurement Adviser / Senior Buyer / Buyer
British Council
01.1994 - 01.2017
- Oversaw procurement activities for UK and international operations, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Contributed significantly to the evolution of the procurement function from a transactional purchasing model to a strategic procurement service.
- Developed expertise across a broad range of procurement categories including goods, services and international logistics.
- Facilitated procurement training and advisory support across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, building regional procurement expertise.
- Designed and delivered procurement training programmes globally between 2000 and 2010, building procurement capability across multiple regions and business units. These programmes became a key element of procurement development across the organisation.
- Supported country offices in developing procurement capability and strengthening procurement governance.
- Advanced through senior procurement roles, enhancing organisational procurement capabilities.
Earlier Career
British Council
01.1978 - 01.1994
- Held diverse operational and administrative roles, gaining comprehensive understanding of organisational operations, governance, finance, and service delivery.
- Developed broad organisational knowledge facilitating effective business partnering and informed procurement decision-making.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Education
MCIPS -
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
Skills
- Strategic Sourcing
- Procurement Governance
- Global Procurement Operations
- Commercial Risk Management
- Supplier evaluation
- Contract Negotiation
- Category Procurement Support
- Procurement Systems Improvement
- Evaluation Moderation
- Procurement change
- Procurement training
- Stakeholder Management
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Cross-Cultural Working
- Change Management
Custom
- MyProcurement
- In-Tend
- SAP
- Bravo
- TAP
- Simfoni
Timeline
Senior Procurement Manager
British Council
11.2017 - Current
Procurement Manager / Procurement Adviser / Senior Buyer / Buyer
British Council
01.1994 - 01.2017
Earlier Career
British Council
01.1978 - 01.1994
MCIPS -
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply