SRM Connect Awards 2025 celebrates supplier excellence
The strategic importance of partnerships was recognised at Imperial Brands’ first SRM Connect Conference and Awards
The strategic importance of partnerships was recognised at Imperial Brands’ first SRM Connect Conference and Awards
The strategic importance of partnerships was recognised at Imperial Brands’ first SRM Connect Conference and Awards
Imperial Brands held its inaugural SRM Connect Conference and Awards to celebrate excellence among suppliers.
The event, which took place on 9 April 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, attracted key delegates from 30 strategic partners in non-tobacco material, combustible, next generation products, leaf and indirects (e.g. services).
The conference element of the event saw suppliers introduced to Imperial’s 2030 strategy by CEO Stefan Bomhard and Chief Consumer Officer Paola Pocci.
Stefan and Paola explained our challenger approach, how we are getting closer to our consumers and our commitment to innovation in combustibles and NGP – and how our suppliers can partner with us to deliver the 2030 strategy when it is implemented in the next financial year.
A panel discussion exploring how we can deliver for consumers through deeper supplier partnerships was followed by an ESG session – Partnering for a Healthier Future – delivered by ESG Director Tony Dunnage.
There were also two networking sessions centred around lunch and dinner to stimulate meaningful two-way conversations and deepen relationships between Imperial Brands and its partners.
The SRM Connect programme was introduced in 2024 as a new approach to building strong, deep, data-driven relationships in the supplier community, promoting the shift towards a partnership model.
Petar Stjepanovic, Chief Procurement Officer, said: "We come together to highlight excellence, great service and strengthening partnerships across all our supplier categories."
After the conference, suppliers were recognised during an evening of awards in the following categories:
Category | Winner |
Challenger Mindset | Wheels |
Agility | Alliance One International |
Innovation | Zinwi |
People and Planet | Cerdia |
Quality | Cielo |
Service | Linfox |
Overall Excellence | Universal Leaf Tobacco |