Owlin Solution Talks: Stefan Peekel on TPRM – Villain or Hero?
In this edition of Owlin Solution Talks, we sit down with Stefan Peekel, Owlin’s Chief Growth Officer, to explore a topic sparking debate across procurement and risk teams: Is Third-Party Risk Management slowing down deals, or driving better business outcomes?
With firsthand experience spanning both risk and commercial functions, Stefan breaks down the core tension between speed and scrutiny and makes the case for reimagining TPRM not as a blocker but as a business accelerator. He will also share how real-time monitoring, automation, and better collaboration can shift the perception of TPRM from villain to hero.
What we cover:
- Why TPRM is often seen as a bottleneck — and how to change that narrative
- How better timing, tooling, and trust can turn TPRM into a strategic asset
- The cultural shift needed to make TPRM a true partner to procurement
Should TPRM sit within procurement, or stand alone?
“Some people may find this controversial, but I think it doesn’t really matter where TPRM sits. What matters is that it’s invited early and treated as a partner. Whether it sits with risk or procurement, the key is early involvement—before vendor preferences are emotionally locked in.
When your business asks, ‘Can you find a cloud vendor for us?’—you want to know who’s safe to work with before price or features come into play. Most teams still treat risk checks like the final box to tick before onboarding, and thus sometimes as a blocker when the tick is not set (quickly).”
Why does TPRM get a bad rap?
“Procurement evolved from cost control. Then came compliance. Risk naturally slows things down—but only if it’s reactive. When you bring TPRM in too late, it becomes a blocker. That’s a process problem, not a people problem.
In my former roles, I saw it from both sides. I was the business person being told how to structure a proposal so it would pass risk review. ‘Why are they telling me how to write my stuff?’ I used to think. But the truth is: the risk team wasn’t trying to stall us. They were trying to keep the company from unnecessary risk exposure.”
Is TPRM misunderstood?
“Absolutely. TPRM doesn’t make the final call—it provides the signal. The business decides whether to accept the risk. And catching issues early saves real money and reputation. Selecting the wrong vendor is expensive. Good TPRM helps you ‘fail’ fast, and smart.”
Can companies strike a balance between speed and risk rigor?
“The real drag isn’t the risk review—it’s data collection. TPRM teams waste hours chasing vendors for documents. That’s solvable with the right stack. Solutions like Ncontracts/Venminder and Aprovall provide workflows and automation to speed up much of the grunt work.
Pair that with AI and real-time external intelligence from Owlin, and suddenly you’re not waiting—you’re deciding.”
What does early TPRM look like in practice?
“Start at the RFI stage. Run a quick screen (for example, with Owlin) before the shortlist. You’ll immediately see potential red flags—legal issues, operational risks, ESG controversies—without waiting weeks for a full review. Later, embed Owlin into platforms like Coupa so that risk insights automatically appear during procurement workflows.”
What’s the cost of treating TPRM like a checkbox?
“You waste time vetting vendors who should’ve been ruled out on day one. Risk becomes a last-minute disqualifier. That’s inefficient and frustrating for everyone.”
How does Owlin bridge the gap?
“We make life easier for both. Owlin gives TPRM and procurement teams quick, reliable, and real-time visibility into external risk signals. Need to vet a potential vendor? Run a quick risk screen. Need to justify a delay to the business? Share a live risk snapshot. No lengthy research needed.”
How is TPRM evolving in 2025?
“It’s growing and maturing fast. At the annual TPRM conference in the U.S., attendance had tripled—and many participants were from both procurement and TPRM teams. Secondly at Digital Procurement World in Amsterdam and this June in New York, vendor risk is a hot topic. That tells you everything. There’s a new expectation: TPRM must keep pace without compromising rigor. Owlin is building for that world: real-time, embedded, and decision-ready.”
So… can TPRM be the hero?
“Yes—if we let it. With the right tools and mindset, TPRM becomes the enabler, not the obstacle. It’s not about slowing things down—it’s about making smarter moves, faster.”
Final takeaway: Involve TPRM early. Treat it as a guide, not a gatekeeper.
“Invite risk at the beginning, and it will be your hero and help you win. Bring it in too late, and it’ll always feel like the villain.”
Owlin: Make TPRM the hero of your procurement process
Want to see how Owlin turns external risk signals like adverse media and consumer reviews into business clarity? Let’s talk—schedule a custom demo or contact our team today. We would love to explore how we can help you protect your business.
