Our News And Insights | 4C Associates

The Case for Change: Procurement Annual Report 2023

In last years’ Procurement Annual Survey we discussed the unprecedented procurement and supply chain challenges facing organisations and provided a series of recommendations on how to reimagine and to reinvent procurement for the future. Whilst supply chain resilience issues caused by the pandemic linger, other challenges have emerged with recent political and macroeconomic events significantly impacting energy and input...

In the News: Smarter and Leaner: How the Zero-Based Approach is Unlocking Up to 50% in Procurement Savings

In our latest article, we explore how zero-based approaches, and zero-based spend in particular, is unlocking savings of up to 50% in indirect costs for procurement leaders, providing practical strategies for smarter demand management and therefore rethinking what's bought, why it's needed, and how much is truly required.

In the News: 4C Associates Becomes Part of FourCentric

4C Associates is part of a wider Group of industry leading businesses with expertise across procurement, supply chain, operations and analytics. With the launch of FourCentric, focused on combining our expertise to offer clients impactful, sustainable results across planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and delivery.

In the News: 4C Associates Joins the Management Consultancies Association

Continuing to look at ways to give our team the best foundations in consultancy, 4C have joined the Management Consultancies Association to ensure we are investing in our team, giving back to the industry as well as continuing to learn from our peers.

In the News: Young MCA: Day in the Life of a Young Consultant

Ever wondered what a typical day for a young consultant entails? From data analysis to client presentations, Kate Sinclair and Callum Bradshaw share their daily experiences on the Young MCA News channel.

Digital Procurement: Saving our Government’s Systems

Some 25% of government systems are outdated, according to findings from DSIT (2025) - contributing to an estimated cost of £45 billion a year to the taxpayer. If optimised correctly, technology in public sector procurement can enhance transparency, accelerate strategic decision-making, secure sensitive data and soften long-term cost to the taxpayer.

Cut Smarter, Spend Better: How Zero-Based-Everything Redefines Procurement Efficiency

In today’s economic reality, traditional strategies like incremental savings or across-the-board reductions are just too slow, too blunt, and too superficial to cope with these pressures. Simply put: leaders can no longer rely on yesterday’s budgets or blanket reductions to solve today’s challenges. To thrive, businesses need a smarter, faster approach - one that delivers impact quickly and aligns every...

In the News: The Future of Europe’s Food & Drink Industry: What challenges and opportunities await in 2025?

Pete Hatfield, Director at 4C featured in Food Navigator’s latest article where he explores key trends and challenges shaping the sector in 2025

In the News: The Hospitality Landscape is Shifting: Are you Ready?

Labour’s new policies are set to significantly impact the hospitality and leisure sectors. In Katie Deem’s latest article for CLH News, she discusses how businesses can navigate these changes.

2025 Procurement Predictions Featuring our Experts

Zip’s 25 Procurement Predictions for 2025 include insights from leaders of our Digital team, Mark Ellis and Joe Gibson. The comprehensive, forward-thinking guide, shaped by insights from 25 leading voices, dives into critical industry trends, challenges and opportunities

Software Asset Management: Cost Savings & Beyond

At its core, Software Asset Management is about more than just keeping track of your licensing estate. Think of it as an efficient and clinical software inventory of an organisation, uncovering hidden inefficiencies and ensuring every software asset is used to its fullest potential.

In the News: 5 Strategies for Retailers and Manufacturers to Maximise Profits over the Festive Period

Read 4C Director Pete Hatfield’s most recent article for Food Manufacture where he gives his top tips to supercharge your sales over the festive period. Pete shares expert advice on how to navigate the holiday rush, optimise operations, and boost your bottom line.

4C Associates named in Management Today’s Top 100 Management Consultancies 2024

4C Associates has been named in Management Today’s Top 100 Management Consultancies, a testament to our team’s commitment to delivery exceptional value to over 60 clients we have worked with this year, across the public and private sectors.

Procurement’s Role in Supporting Innovation and Agility: Moving Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Supply Chain: Top 40 Under 40

We are delighted to announce Joe Gibson, our Director of Digital Innovation and supply chain has been recognised as one of the most exciting under 40-year-olds in Supply Chain.

6 Practical Strategies to Break Down Silos in Consumer Products Businesses

In today’s consumer products industry, achieving effective cross-functional collaboration is essential. Silos between manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement departments create inefficiencies, limit innovation, and erode trust across an organisation. Breaking down these silos can unlock agility, promote end-to-end efficiency, and foster resilience, driving better outcomes for both the business and its customers. Based on insights from 4C Associates’ recent...