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CIPS Salary Guide: Rising Stars

The eight rising stars of procurement and supply

About the CIPS Young Talent Award Winners series

Procurement offers boundless opportunities for young professionals with a blueprint for change. Our rising stars series follows the careers of eight procurement professionals who’ve won Young Talent awards at CIPS Excellence Awards ceremonies globally.

Their stories give a sense of what success looks like in procurement. And get underneath our Procurement & Supply Salary Guide data to show where the profession is going and what to strive for as a young person.

The series is updated regularly and will track the journeys of our winners annually.

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Meet the rising young stars of procurement and supply

  • Headshot of Karen Moorhouse
    CIPS Young Procurement and Supply Professional of the Year 2018

    Karen Moorhouse MCIPS

    Head of procurement, London Stadium

    "Procurement is a career that offers such varied opportunities, including potential to learn and grow."

    Karen has established a successful career in procurement and was named CIPS Young Procurement Professional of the Year in 2018. From starting out as a student, to leading the procurement function of a major London sporting venue, Karen has retained great passion for the work she does. For her, the profession is one big learning experience, and she loves that about it.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH KAREN
  • Headshot of Adam Bektić
    CIPS MENA Young Procurement and Supply Professional of the Year 2019

    Adam Bektic MCIPS

    Head of procurement, Newcastle University

    "I've been fortunate to work on major infrastructure projects like London 2012 and Expo 2020 Dubai."

    Adam’s combination of construction and procurement experience made him the ideal candidate to work on “mega” cultural events like the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, and Expo 2020 Dubai. And paved the way for him winning Young Procurement Professional of the Year at the CIPS Middle East Supply Management Awards 2019.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH ADAM
  • Headshot of Lucy Caltabiano
    CIPS ANZ Emerging Talent Winner 2023

    Lucy Caltabiano

    Buy local senor specialist, Rio Tinto

    "There are amazing people working in procurement, as there is no direct or traditional path."

    Lucy won the ‘Emerging Talent’ award at the CIPS ANZ Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards 2023. She says good mentors have been vital for her success, but so has spending time away from her desk – on the road or in the field. Her story gives a sense of how diverse procurement and supply is, the fantastic people you can expect to work with, and where the profession is heading long-term.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH LUCY
  • Headshot of Maria van der Veek
    CIPS Young Procurement and Supply Chain Management Professional of the Year Award 2015

    Maria van der Veek

    Global head of workforce sourcing, HSBC

    "Procurement professionals are change agents with a unique viewpoint across their organisations, suppliers and geographies."

    Maria joined procurement directly via a graduate scheme and has worked in the profession for over 15 years. She won CIPS Young Procurement and Supply Chain Management Professional of the Year in 2015 in recognition of her work on a difficult project – the successful delivery of a £1.2bn contingent labour procurement strategy and implementation.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH MARIA
  • Headshot of Rachel Willacy
    CIPS MENA Young Procurement and Supply Professional of the Year 2020

    Rachel Willacy FCIPS

    Director of procurement, Aster Group

    "I joined procurement as a school-leaver and have led the strategic procurement of multi-billion-dollar megaprojects."

    Rachel is director of procurement for Aster Group who, having entered the profession young, has achieved a lot in her career and proven herself to be highly adaptable. From starting out at 17, to moving to Saudi Arabia to lead the implementation of strategic procurement best practice, her career has gone from strength to strength and achieved her award recognition along the way.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL
  • Headshot of Darren Yang
    CIPS Asia Young Talent Winner 2020

    Darren Yang MCIPS

    Supply chain contracts and procurement lead, Shell

    "The strategic aspects of procurement such as deal-making are my central motivation and drive my passion for the profession"

    Darren won Young Talent Winner at the CIPS Asia Supply Management Awards 2020 in recognition of the procurement strategies he developed at Shell to improve the resilience of its supply chain. A diligent worker and procurement professional, he credits his success to applying himself to every job as if it were his last and retains a deep interest in the strategic aspects of procurement.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH DARREN
  • Headshot of Kristina Andric
    CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Young Talent Winner 2023

    Kristina Andric

    Product sustainability director, Tetra Pak

    "Procurement has taught me the importance of stakeholder management, communication, quality, and time management."

    Kristina Andric was the 2023 CIPS Excellence in Procurement Young Talent winner. She joined procurement from university on a trainee programme and is now a Product Sustainability Director for a food packaging and processing plant. Her advice to those looking to get ahead in their procurement careers is to be authentic, brave, and confident.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH KRISTINA
  • Headshot of Katie Hawkins
    CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Young Talent Winner 2024

    Katie Hawkins MCIPS

    Procurement and supply consultant, Evolve Commercial

    "My biggest motivator is being able to tackle a problem and find a resolution when there doesn’t seem to be one in sight."

    Katie Hawkins, procurement and supply consultant for Evolve Commercial, found her feet working in the technology and defence industry. Her journey is about embracing challenges and trusting your abilities.

    READ INTERVIEW WITH KATIE
 

Learning from the CIPS Salary Guide Rising Stars

Interview with Karen Moorhouse

For Karen Moorhouse MCIPS, a short placement in procurement would open the doors to her future career and lay the groundwork for her recognition in the profession.

Interview with Adam Bektic MCIPS

For Adam Bektić MCIPS, a quantity surveyor turned director of procurement, his unique range of skills have catapulted him to award success.

Interview with Maria van der Veek

Maria van der Veek joined procurement directly via a graduate scheme and says procurement professionals will need to diversify to stay relevant. 

Interview with Lucy Caltabiano

Lucy Caltabiano, a buy local senior specialist at the mining company Rio Tinto in Brisbane, has quickly risen through the ranks and forged a successful procurement career.

Interview with Darren Yang

Darren Yang is a supply chain contracts and procurement lead at Shell who has climbed the ranks and established himself as a true rising star.

Interview with Rachel Willacy

Rachel Willacy FCIPS, director of procurement for Aster Group, joined procurement as a school leaver and says the way we communicate and manage others has never been more important.

Interview with Kristina Andric

Kristina Andric, director sustainability strategic planning & excellence at Tetra Pak, made the exciting switch from working in procurement to leading sustainability.

Interview with Katie Hawkins MCIPS

Katie Hawkins, procurement and supply consultant for Evolve Commercial, found her feet working in the technology and defence industry. Her journey is about embracing challenges and trusting your abilities.
 

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CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Guide 2025

The guide highlights key trends and insights for the procurement and supply chain profession. Based on an in-depth independent survey the report sets out the statistical findings alongside expert commentary and guidance to support you and your teams' career journey.

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