2023 Top 15 Chief Procurement Officers Innovate to Shakeup Status Quo

Lloyd Switzer Impacts Communities Through TELUS Supplier Diversity Program


Lloyd Switzer is the Chief Procurement Officer at TELUS. Under his leadership, spend with diverse suppliers has doubled, and spend with Indigenous suppliers exceeded the target by seven times. His team works with tier one suppliers to develop their own supplier diversity strategies, which will increase tier two spend for TELUS. Lloyd’s success comes from establishing a clear vision and objectives for the procurement team, and constantly collaborating with business stakeholders and suppliers. Lloyd is proud of the significant impact procurement has on communities. His goal is to encourage positive social change through buying behaviors with diverse suppliers within the Canadian context.


Providing thought leadership in policy development and growth of supplier diversity in Canada, Lloyd serves on the board of CAMSC and his team members are active members of diversity organizations, including Women’s Business Enterprise and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. He established an Indigenous procurement program, enabling the procurement team to meet with Indigenous communities to learn more about their needs. Lloyd relentlessly looks ahead, reinvents, and coaches his team and suppliers to deliver innovations.


  • Favorite Quote: A significant driver of continued business success is diversity of thought. A significant driver of social equity is embracing diversity. So leaders, lean in on diversity to make your world and the greater world a better place. - Lioyd Switzer