A new era for Contract & Commercial Management

The last 20 years have seen a transformation in the way contract and commercial management are viewed. Growing complexity in business and markets is driving an appreciation of the need for increased competency, streamlined processes and advanced technologies to support successful contracts and relationships.

IACCM is widely credited with influencing this shift in understanding. Our global presence has brought together a powerful community of practitioners and change agents. Our research has provided previously unavailable data and insights. Our training and certification programs have raised standards and status. But this is just the beginning. New technologies are starting to drive truly fundamental change and transformation, where contract and commercial competencies will move center-stage. ‘Relationship Resource Planning’(RRP) is the strategic concept developed by IACCM and the idea that underpins our thinking and services for the year ahead. It is through RRP that businesses and organizations will realise a quantum leap in performance, cutting operational costs and increasing revenues by 10% or more.

To lead us into this new era, IACCM itself needed a generational shift and change of gear. Today, it has announced the appointment of Sally Hughes as its CEO. After nearly 19 years at the helm, Tim Cummins is stepping aside, though will continue in a role as President of the Association, leading its research and providing advisory support to members.

Over recent months, IACCM has seen impressive growth, enabling substantial strengthening of its staff and management team. Sally brings the vigor, enthusiasm, leadership and subject-matter skills that will ensure IACCM continues to advance the status and role of its members.

Once again, IACCM demonstrates one of its most compelling characteristics – providing a vision and path to the future. I’m sure readers of this blog will join me in congratulating Sally – the new (and much younger) face of global contract and commercial management. She can be contacted on LinkedIn or shughes@iaccm.com.