Rethinking supply chains in the healthcare sector

We spoke to past student Kenny Otto, Head of Supply Chain at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to understand more about his motivations for joining CISL's Sustainable Supply Chain Management 8-week online course, and the outcomes and experiences that made this programme valuable for him.

What motivated you to attend the Sustainable Supply Chain Management course at Cambridge? 

Working in healthcare supply chains, I could see increasing pressure around resilience, waste, cost and sustainability, but I wanted a deeper understanding of how these issues connected across the wider system. I was particularly interested in how supply chains could move from transactional operations to drivers of long-term sustainable value. The course gave me an opportunity to step back from day-to-day operational demands and rethink supply chains through a strategic sustainability lens.

What challenges were you facing at that time and how did the course help you overcome these? 

At the time, I was leading transformation initiatives within hospital supply chain operations and often dealing with challenges in isolation — cost pressures, stock management, supplier issues and waste. The course introduced systems thinking, which helped me connect these issues holistically. It changed how I approached problem-solving by looking beyond immediate operational fixes to understanding the broader environmental, social and economic impacts across the entire value chain.

Has the course changed your understanding of sustainability on supply chains? 

Absolutely. The course opened my eyes to the hidden impact of unsustainable practices within healthcare supply chains, particularly around Scope 3 emissions, waste generation and product lifecycle management. It challenged me to think differently about procurement and consumption. This directly influenced ideas around circular economy initiatives, including the potential reuse and recovery of certain medical devices to reduce waste, lower costs and improve sustainability outcomes within hospital operations.

How has the course impacted your career?

The course broadened my strategic perspective and strengthened my ability to contribute beyond traditional supply chain operations. At Royal Papworth Hospital, it has helped me engage more meaningfully in sustainability discussions and contribute to wider sustainability programmes across the Trust. It also gave me the confidence to champion ideas around circular economy, sustainable procurement and operational resilience while balancing patient care, financial performance and environmental impact. 

How has the course changed the way you work with suppliers across the value chain?

The course shifted my mindset from managing suppliers purely on cost and service towards building partnerships focused on long-term shared value. It also helped me engage more effectively with my procurement colleagues by creating a stronger shared understanding of sustainability, supplier relationships and value chain impact. Together, we now approach supplier engagement more collaboratively around sustainability, innovation, waste reduction and responsible sourcing. The course reinforced the importance of transparency, systems thinking and understanding the environmental and social impact of decisions made across the wider value chain.

What advice would you give to anyone considering a CISL online course?

Be prepared for the course to challenge your thinking in a positive way. It is not just about sustainability theory; it helps you rethink how organisations operate and how decisions impact wider systems. The learning is practical, engaging and highly relevant, especially for professionals leading change. I would also encourage people to actively engage with others on the course because the shared experiences and perspectives add enormous value. 

How has the CISL Network supported your journey?

One of the most valuable aspects of the course was learning alongside professionals from different industries, cultures and backgrounds. The diversity of perspectives challenged my thinking and helped me appreciate sustainability issues beyond healthcare. The collaborative group work and discussions created a strong learning environment where people openly shared real experiences, challenges and ideas. That sense of collaboration and collective problem-solving was a major benefit of the course and continues to influence how I work with teams and stakeholders today.

Anything you’d like to add?

One of the biggest takeaways for me was understanding that sustainability is not a separate agenda from operational performance, it is deeply connected to resilience, efficiency, innovation and long-term value creation. The course helped me see supply chains as interconnected systems where small decisions can have significant downstream impact. Beyond the technical learning, the relationships, collaboration and exchange of perspectives with others on the course made the experience both practical and personally enriching.

Request more information or register now for the Cambridge Sustainable Supply Chain Management online short course.

CISL’s online courses are delivered in collaboration with digital education provider GetSmarter, a brand of 2U, Inc. These links will take you to the Get Smarter website.