Supporting Excellence: Sarah Grundy Named SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025

Supporting Excellence: Sarah Grundy Named SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025

In the world of procurement and supply chain, technical knowledge is only half the battle. The other half? Leadership. At SRSCC, we know that the success of an apprentice is inextricably linked to the support they receive in the workplace.

That is why each year, we take the time to recognise the mentors who go above and beyond. We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Grundy from Incora has been named the SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025.

Sarah’s commitment to fostering talent within Incora’s procurement function serves as a masterclass in how proactive management can accelerate professional development and drive business value.

A Partnership for Success: Reflections from Sarah

An apprenticeship is a partnership between the learner, the training provider, and the employer. Sarah’s win reflects the power of this collaboration. Upon receiving the award, she shared her reflections on the journey so far:

“Receiving the award firstly was a genuine surprise. I feel very proud of myself! It’s natural for me to promote my team and nominate them for awards when they are going above and beyond like Chloe constantly does, but it’s nice to be recognised especially from an external training provider.

The whole company and I are continuously pushing for development within the business and it’s great that we have joined forces with SRSCC and have created some very special and strong relationships. Thank you so much for the recognition and for the work you all put into Chloe and Tam’s learning. It is very much appreciated.”Sarah Grundy, Incora

Supporting Excellence: Sarah Grundy Named SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025

Why the Line Manager Role is Critical to Apprenticeship Success

While SRSCC provides the training and coaching, the line manager provides the “laboratory”—the real-world environment where theory is put into practice. Sarah was selected for this award due to her exceptional ability to:

  • Bridge the Gap: Helping her team translate concepts into tangible day-to-day procurement actions at Incora.

  • Empowerment: Creating an environment where apprentices like Chloe and Tam feel confident taking on new responsibilities, such as supplier negotiations and contract management.

  • Wellbeing & Growth: Offering consistent mentorship that balances the rigours of a full-time role with the academic requirements of a CIPS qualification.

A Partnership for Success: Reflections from Sarah

Incora has long been a champion of the “Build the Future” philosophy. By investing in apprenticeships, they aren’t just filling roles; they are future-proofing their organisation.

Sarah’s win reflects a wider corporate culture at Incora that values upskilling and professional certification. When managers like Sarah prioritise their team’s development, the results are clear:

  1. Increased Retention: Apprentices who feel supported are more likely to stay and grow within the business.

  2. Higher Competency: Real-world application of CIPS modules leads to more efficient sourcing and cost-saving strategies.

  3. Succession Planning: Developing internal talent creates a pipeline of future procurement leaders.

Incora logo
Supporting Excellence: Sarah Grundy Named SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025

How Your Organisation Can Replicate This Success

Success stories like Sarah’s aren’t accidental. They are the result of a structured approach to professional development. If you are looking to develop your own procurement team, consider these three pillars of success:

1. Choose the Right Level

Whether it’s the Level 3 Procurement and Supply Assistant for those new to the field, or the Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner for more experienced staff, matching the qualification to the job role is vital.

2. Identify “Champion” Mentors

Follow Sarah’s lead by identifying managers who are passionate about sharing knowledge. A “Champion” mentor can be the difference between a completed qualification and a transformative career leap.

3. Lean on SRSCC Support

From virtual classrooms to dedicated 1:1 tutor support, we provide the framework. We work alongside managers to ensure the apprenticeship levy is used effectively to deliver a high ROI.

Celebrate Excellence in Your Team

Sarah Grundy’s achievement is a proud moment for Incora and a reminder to all of us in the industry: Procurement is a people business. Congratulations once again to Sarah for her outstanding contribution to the profession and her unwavering support of the next generation of supply chain experts.

Ready to develop your own award-winning procurement team?

Our CIPS-accredited apprenticeships are designed to turn your employees into strategic assets. Whether you are an employer looking to upskill your team or an individual ready to start your journey, SRSCC is here to help.

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Discover our CIPS Courses

Our courses are designed to accelerate your career in the procurement and supply chain industries. If you would like to learn more about our courses, call the SRSCC team on 01772 282555 or complete our contact form. Start your journey to success today.

CIPS Level 3

Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.

CIPS Level 4

Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 5

Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 6

Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

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Supporting Excellence: Sarah Grundy Named SRSCC Line Manager of the Year 2025
2026-02-16T10:40:00+00:00
Declan Hemingway
Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Jazz Bachra SRSCC

Jazz Bachra

Apprenticeship Skills Coach

With over fifteen years of experience in leadership and learning development, Jazz is an accomplished coach and mentor who is passionate about helping individuals achieve their full potential.

He specialises in delivering customer-focused strategies that drive brand differentiation and sustainable business growth, built on a foundation of colleague engagement and continuous learning.
Jazz holds a BA (Hons) in Micro Computing Business Applications from the British Columbian Institute of Technology and a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Computing from London College. He has also achieved a range of professional qualifications, including Education and Training Level 3, and multiple apprenticeship standards such as Operations Manager Level 5, Retail Manager Level 4, and Team Leader Level 3.

Throughout his career, Jazz has developed and inspired high-performing teams across a variety of sectors, creating environments that encourage accountability, growth, and collaboration. His experience includes designing and delivering impactful training programmes, coaching learners to distinction-level results, and building meaningful partnerships with organisations nationwide.

Outside of work, Jazz enjoys keeping active at the gym, playing football, travelling having previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and listening to a wide range of music. He also enjoys relaxing with a good film.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

Operations Team Leader

In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.