Brian Carter, Head of Procurement at Whiteriver Group, joins the judging panel for the National Procurement Awards 2026, bringing over a decade of commercially focused procurement experience across Ireland and the UK, with a strong grounding in the full range of responsibilities that modern procurement leadership demands.

In his current role at Whiteriver Group, Brian leads sourcing, supplier strategy, product development, and commercial negotiations across operations in Ireland and the UK, working with suppliers globally. That combination of strategic and operational responsibility reflects the breadth that effective procurement management requires, covering strategic sourcing decisions alongside contract management, quality control, logistics, and regulatory compliance.

His international supply chain experience is a particularly valuable dimension of the expertise he brings to the judging panel. Managing supplier relationships across global markets requires not just commercial acumen but an understanding of the different risk profiles, lead times, and compliance considerations that vary by geography and sector. Brian's hands-on experience navigating those complexities within a growing Irish and UK business gives him a practical perspective on what procurement innovation and supply chain excellence look like when they are delivered under real operational constraints rather than ideal conditions.

Brian's commercially focused approach to procurement is grounded in practical supplier relationship management and a clear understanding of what drives value across complex supply chains, making him well positioned to evaluate submissions spanning the full range of categories at the National Procurement Awards 2026, from sustainable procurement and digital transformation to operational efficiency and strategic sourcing achievement.

The National Procurement Awards 2026 gala takes place on 22nd October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

View the full list of judges here procurementawards.ie/judges, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with announcements, shortlists, and event news.