Seven Years of Proctimise: A Journey Built on Better Business

Seven years ago, Proctimise began with a simple idea: there had to be a better way to approach marketing procurement.

Since then, the business has grown, evolved and developed far beyond those early days. What started as an idea between two experienced procurement professionals has become a growing consultancy with long-standing client relationships, its own tools and processes, a growing team, an internship programme and a commitment to using business as a force for positive change.

As Proctimise celebrates its seventh birthday, it is a chance to look back at where it started, what has changed and, perhaps most importantly, what has stayed the same.

Starting with a different approach

Proctimise was founded by Gordi and Ross, both of whom had spent over two decades working in procurement, with extensive experience across marketing procurement.

Their careers had taken them through organisations of very different sizes and structures, from UK businesses to large global companies. Along the way, they saw first-hand what effective procurement could achieve, as well as where traditional approaches could become unnecessarily complicated.

The pair originally met while working together in the procurement team at L’Oréal. Years later, that shared experience became the foundation for something of their own.

The idea behind Proctimise was straightforward: create a consultancy that approached procurement in a simpler, more effective way, while making the experience better for the people involved.

Commercial results would always matter, but so would relationships, collaboration and enjoyment in the work.

The early years

The first year was very much a proof of concept. There was a simple question to answer: was there a genuine need for a business taking this approach?

Then came COVID.

Like businesses everywhere, Proctimise had to adapt quickly. One of its first major projects involved running a global creative pitch entirely online for one of its founding clients.

It was a new experience for everyone involved and presented plenty of challenges, but it also helped shape the way Proctimise works today. Virtual collaboration became a much more established part of the pitch process, with today's projects often combining the benefits of both in-person and online working.

Those early experiences helped establish the foundations for what Proctimise would become.

Over the past two to three years in particular, the business has grown significantly. Many of its clients have become long-term partners, with some relationships continuing from that very first year.

Alongside this growth, Proctimise has continued to sharpen its focus around operating model design, complex pitch processes and structured agency performance evaluation. The aim is always to help clients put the right frameworks, partners and accountability in place to support long-term success.

Behind the scenes, the business has evolved too, with investment in its own tools, systems and infrastructure to make its processes more effective and deliver better outcomes for clients.

Becoming a B Corp

One of the biggest milestones in Proctimise's journey came in December 2025, when the business became B Corp certified.

For Proctimise, becoming a B Corp was not simply about achieving another certification. It reflected something that had been part of the business from the beginning: the belief that commercial success and positive social impact do not need to sit on opposite sides of the table.

Marketing and procurement have significant influence over how businesses spend, who they work with and the decisions they make. Proctimise believes those levers can, and should, be used to create positive change.

The B Corp journey provided an opportunity to look closely at how the business operates, from its people and suppliers to its environmental and social impact, and to put greater structure around those commitments.

It also created an ongoing responsibility. B Corp is not a finish line. It is a commitment to continually improve how business is done and to hold the organisation accountable for making progress.

‍Seven years into the Proctimise journey, that feels particularly important.

‍Building a team for the future

‍Proctimise has also grown from the original founding team into a wider group of people bringing different skills, perspectives and experience to the business, with each person playing an important role in the continued growth of the consultancy.

‍Developing the next generation of talent has become an increasingly important part of that growth too.

‍The Proctimise internship programme was created to give people early in their careers genuine exposure to the world of marketing procurement, rather than simply observing from the sidelines.

‍The programme provides hands-on experience and an opportunity to work alongside an experienced team, gaining insight into the realities of consultancy, client relationships, marketing and procurement.

‍For a business built on experience, sharing that knowledge with the next generation is an important part of looking forward.

Giving back to the community

Making a difference extends beyond the work Proctimise does for its clients.

Supporting charities and local communities has become an increasingly important part of the business, with the team continuing to look for practical ways to give something back.

Recent initiatives have included supporting Hackney Foodbank, including a commitment linked to the Proctimise socks initiative. Rather than simply raising awareness, the focus is on turning business activity into tangible support for people and communities that need it.

The team has also supported charitable causes through fundraising, donations and partnerships, recognising that even relatively small contributions can make a meaningful difference when they are consistent and purposeful.

This is something Proctimise intends to continue as the business grows.

The ambition is not to treat social impact as a separate initiative that sits alongside the business. It is about building it into the way Proctimise operates, from the work it delivers for clients to the opportunities it creates for its team and the causes it chooses to support.

Seven years on

Seven years brings plenty to celebrate.

There have been challenges, lessons, changes in direction and significant growth. There have been new clients, long-standing partnerships, new team members, interns, new products and tools as well as B Corp certification.

But the original ambition remains remarkably consistent.

‍Proctimise was created to challenge the traditional approach to procurement and make it simpler, more effective and more enjoyable. Seven years later, that purpose continues to shape the business.

‍The next chapter will undoubtedly bring its own changes. But with a growing team, evolving technology, strong client relationships and a continued focus on positive impact, Proctimise is looking ahead with the same sense of purpose that started it all.

‍Seven years down. There is plenty more to come.

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