The Rising Stars of Procurement
Today, procurement is central to how organisations grow, measure impact and deliver long-term value.
Five leaders are taking this transformation to the next level, each from a different industry and each with a distinct vision.
From digital reinvention to sustainability-led supplier partnerships, these rising stars are showing what the future of procurement looks like — and how to get there.
Rob Turner – Deliveroo
Moving fast to digitise global procurement
Rob Turner, Chief Procurement Officer at Deliveroo, brings a methodical speed to digital transformation.
Leading what he calls a "digital and OPEX cost transformation programme," Rob connects procurement with business profitability and shareholder priorities.
His career path includes roles at Amazon Fresh, John Lewis Partnership, Diageo and Tarmac, which helped shape his operational and innovation-first mindset. At Deliveroo, he has delivered a full-scale technology rollout using Coupa's source-to-pay suite and integrated risk system — a move that now spans every business function globally.
It took just 13 months to complete the programme, from planning to launch.
Rob credits that speed to teamwork. “What makes this achievement even more impressive is that many of the people involved hadn't worked together before — yet there they were, making critical design decisions side by side.”
For Rob, delivery is only the start. As he puts it: “Now the real work begins. Helping the business adapt to new ways of working.”
Jarrod Glover – Santander
Rewriting what procurement value means
Jarrod Glover, Director of Procurement at Santander UK, sees value in broader terms.
Since 2014, he has moved the team away from a traditional cost-cutting model to one rooted in purpose, sustainability and risk management.
Speaking at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability, Jarrod described procurement as a "dual-lens profession," saying: “Cost is the baseline. But true value goes beyond that — it’s about social responsibility, environmental impact and governance.”
Under his direction, Santander now leads a programme to improve 2,000 lives through its procurement leverage, engaging with suppliers and educational partners, as part of the banks strategy to move towards a more inclusive future.
Santander also takes a unique approach to managing suppliers. Rather than ranking them by spend, the procurement team focuses on sustainability performance. This creates tailored strategies for every part of the supply chain. It’s backed by strong data systems and educational efforts such as supplier summits and strategic partnerships.
Mihaela Ambrozie – Vodafone
Using AI to align sustainability with decision-making
Mihaela Ambrozie leads procurement operations for Vodafone in Luxembourg, but her perspective is global. Coming from a telecoms background, she’s now focused on applying AI to solve sustainability data challenges.
At Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability, Mihaela shared how generative AI is used to extract insight from fragmented datasets.
“Gen AI allows us to analyse vast and fragmented datasets in a way we couldn't before,” she said. “This technology is an enabler for discovering supplier practices deeply embedded in the chain.”
She ensures Vodafone’s procurement starts with robust data and governance, so that environmental and ethical standards are not just monitored, but improved. Her aim is to make sustainability part of everyday decisions — and to make those decisions faster and smarter.
Rebecca Simpson – Royal Mail
Turning legacy procurement into strategic leadership
Having spent more than 25 years in procurement across multiple industries, Rebecca Simpson has seen what works — and what needs to change.
Now, as Chief Procurement Officer at Royal Mail, she’s leading the business through a major shift from a transactional function to a strategic one.
Previously responsible for a US$5bn global procurement team at a FTSE 100 company, Rebecca is experienced in redesigning operating models and using data to boost performance. She’s also known for her fast-paced, people-led approach.
At Royal Mail, Simpson brings the same energy. Her focus is on building strong internal relationships and integrating procurement with broader business goals — whether that’s sustainability, resilience or cost efficiency.
By doing this, she’s making procurement more agile and responsive in a traditionally slow-moving sector.
Jane Scadding – Bupa
Focusing procurement on purpose and health
Jane Scadding, Chief Procurement Officer at Bupa, takes a mission-driven approach. With a career that includes roles at TalkTalk, GlaxoSmithKline and Wincanton, as well as a non-executive post at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Jane draws on healthcare, logistics and pharma experience to inform her strategy.
At Bupa, she leads a procurement function that supports the organisation’s wider goal of helping people live longer, healthier lives. She prioritises governance, supplier partnerships and sustainability across all procurement processes.
Her strength lies in turning strategy into action. She builds teams that deliver measurable results and ensures procurement plays a central role in shaping how Bupa interacts with its suppliers and communities.
