REAL CHEMISTRY
Influence, she adds, does not have to come from a title.“ It doesn’ t matter what level you are in the organisation. You can step up and have an influence. You just need to use your voice.”
AI, compliance and the question of technology In 2026, technology is reshaping procurement across every industry, but at Real Chemistry the stakes are particularly high.
The company’ s clients operate in healthcare and life sciences – sectors in which data privacy and regulatory compliance are not optional. As such, any piece of technology that Real Chemistry adopts must meet the exacting standards of governance that its clients demand.
Ontonia works closely with the company’ s Chief Information Officer and his team, who are responsible for overseeing the firm’ s digital infrastructure, to evaluate every new platform before it is adopted. That process is deliberate and cautious.
“ We do have to evaluate all the emerging technologies to make sure they meet our standards. It’ s about striking a balance between innovation and discipline,” she explains.
AI is a subject Ontonia regards with both enthusiasm and caution. She is clear that AI will not replace the human elements of procurement, whether that is negotiation, relationship management or strategic thinking.
But, she argues, AI can take the strain off repetitive analytical work and improve the company’ s ability to monitor risk in real time.
“ It can also help with the risk mitigation,” she adds.“ It’ s ever so important right now that we’ re working with vendors and partners across the globe that are compliant with all the data and privacy concerns we have to have.”
The creative side of Real Chemistry’ s work adds another layer of complexity. The company produces a great deal of marketing and communications content for its clients, but the emergence of Gen AI is currently raising all sorts of questions about how creative content is made and who, if anybody, owns it.
Ontonia’ s team is working with the CIO to stay well ahead of those questions. The result is a procurement function that is not merely keeping up with realchemistry. com