JAMIE KICHENBRAND
Corsley,Wiltshire
Summary
Senior operations and transformation leader with recent delivery inside PDSA, currently Head of Supply Chain (since Jun 2025), leading governance, procurement, contract assurance and supplier performance improvements that protect service continuity, strengthen stewardship of donor funds and improve value-for-money. Proven track record operating at senior level across multi-site, regulated service environments, translating strategy into practical operating models, clear accountability and performance cadences. Commercially astute with deep experience in negotiation, contract and supplier management, and benefits realisation (cash-releasing savings, efficiency and risk reduction). Non-clinical leader who partners closely with veterinary/clinical leadership and corporate functions (Finance, Estates/IMT and People) to embed proportionate, auditable frameworks and drive continuous improvement at scale.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Supply Chain
PDSA
Tetford, Lincolnshire
2025.06 - 2026.01
- Lead supply chain transformation, procurement governance, contract assurance and supplier performance management supporting PDSA’s nationwide operating model.
- Took accountability for a contract portfolio of 334 contracts with total annual value of £35.8m (Contract Register dated 18/06/2025); delivered a reset of contract management controls and governance to restore visibility, accountability and value-for-money assurance.
- Implemented contract tiering and ownership allocation: 45 contracts (13%) represented ~90% of annual value; established Tier 1–3 management approach with named owners and proportionate support, governance cadence and templates.
- Resolved high-risk contract control gaps identified at baseline, including 36% of contracts lacking valid financial values, all contracts marked “unallocated” to contract managers, and 59.9% recorded as rolling with no defined end dates; established controls to ensure renewal/notice risk is visible early enough to act.
- Rebuilt the function and operating model: reset expectations and standards, exited 4 staff where skills did not meet required levels, and recruited a new team of 4 individuals (2.5 WTE) with clear category ownership and delivery rhythm.
- Remediated contract and continuity risk by identifying and renegotiating 20+ infrastructure-critical, out-of-contract agreements, materially reducing organisational exposure and strengthening commercial safeguards.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive, risk-based governance toolkit (submitted for approval this month), including: Procurement Policy and supporting procedures (risk-based thresholds and proportional governance), Internal Supply Chain SLA, Contract tiering model and Tier 1 governance process (logs, TORs, agendas, cadence), Tender assessment/scoring matrix and Statement of Work templates, Audit readiness checklist and SharePoint information architecture, including structure and access protocol.
- Identified significant vendor consolidation opportunities and adjacent service redesign options; established governance processes to manage strategic consolidation and wider portfolio improvements from Q1 2026.
- Worked in partnership with operational and clinical stakeholders to ensure governance is practical, proportionate and supports frontline delivery, while strengthening transparency and auditability.
Independent Consultancy Services
Self-employed / Interim
Various
2020.05 - Current
- Director-level interim and advisory delivery across regulated service environments: operating model design, service reviews, contracting/procurement, governance and change.
- Featured engagement: PDSA — Out-of-Hours (OOH) Services Review (Deep Dive) | 05 Jan 2025 – 31 May 2025
- Analysed OOH activity patterns and capacity to identify mismatch between resourcing and demand (peak 6pm–midnight vs low utilisation overnight).
- Assessed sustainability risks including provider dependency and tariff escalation; developed options to diversify providers and improve commercial leverage.
- Produced redesign options including hub-and-spoke models, tele-triage scrutiny and demand-led resource allocation, with consideration of RCVS guidance and travel time interpretation.
- Developed contracting strategy for renegotiation and performance-based terms (SLAs, incentives/penalties) and delivered quantified scenario options for eligibility/registration controls with implementation roadmap and resourcing implications.
Director of Reporting
Optum UK
London, City of London
2017.05 - 2020.04
- Senior leadership role within national NHS contracting services; delivery across multiple regions and complex stakeholder landscapes.
- Managed contracting services across Thames Valley, Lincolnshire, and Kent & Medway, overseeing provider contracts totalling £1.5bn+ per annum.
- Directed complex mobilisation for newly acquired Kent & Medway contracting service while maintaining performance metrics and stakeholder confidence.
- Managed a national team of 30 with 6 direct reports, driving performance management, service standards and senior stakeholder relationships including NHS England.
- Supported bids, procurement processes and joint commissioning arrangements with local authority partners through Kent STP.
- Developed Integrated Care Provider contracts and reimbursement models, including international relationship management (US and Netherlands).
Assistant Director of Contracts
Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
2014.11 - 2017.05
- Senior role within the Contracts Division, leading contract negotiation, performance management and resolution across a complex provider portfolio.
- Associate Programme Director supporting Hertfordshire Sustainability & Transformation Plan (STP) activity and system-level governance.
Head of Contracts / Provider Performance Lead
Central Southern Commissioning Support Unit
High Wycombe
2013.06 - 2014.04
- Led contract negotiation and provider performance management; advised on commissioning priorities and financial recovery strategies.
Service & Commissioning Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chelsea, Royal Kensington and Chelsea
2013.01 - 2013.06
Contracts Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2011.08 - 2013.01
Programme Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2008.04 - 2011.08
Project Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2007.11 - 2008.04
Project Coordinator
Oxford Brookes University
2006.09 - 2007.09
Education
MA (Hons) - International Relations
Oxford Brookes University
BSc (Hons) - Anthropology & Sociology
Oxford Brookes University
Skills
- Multi-site operations & operating models
- Governance, risk & compliance
- Performance management
- Commercial & financial
- Transformation delivery
- Leadership
Languages
English
Native
Spanish
Intermediate
English
Native
Custom Section
- MA (Hons) International Relations — Oxford Brookes University
- BSc (Hons) Anthropology & Sociology — Oxford Brookes University
Personal Information
In addition to my work life, I am the father to two children and two step-children and have a variety of hobbies. I play as many sports as I can, cook with much enthusiasm but limited distinction and play the guitar with even more of the former, and less of the latter.
Certification
PRINCE 2
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Supply Chain
PDSA
2025.06 - 2026.01
Independent Consultancy Services
Self-employed / Interim
2020.05 - Current
Director of Reporting
Optum UK
2017.05 - 2020.04
Assistant Director of Contracts
Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group
2014.11 - 2017.05
Head of Contracts / Provider Performance Lead
Central Southern Commissioning Support Unit
2013.06 - 2014.04
Service & Commissioning Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2013.01 - 2013.06
Contracts Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2011.08 - 2013.01
Programme Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2008.04 - 2011.08
Project Manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
2007.11 - 2008.04
Project Coordinator
Oxford Brookes University
2006.09 - 2007.09
BSc (Hons) - Anthropology & Sociology
Oxford Brookes University
MA (Hons) - International Relations
Oxford Brookes University