A Spotlight On: Sarah Kelsall
As part of our Spotlight On series this month, we’re getting to know more about the people behind the Catering, Curtains, Textiles and Pulp Category, part of our NHS Supply Chain: Facilities and Office Solutions Team.
In this feature, we meet Sarah Kelsall, Procurement Specialist, who has become known for her approachable nature, strong communication skills and willingness to step up when it matters most. Sarah plays a key role in supporting multiple frameworks, including the development of the upcoming Textiles Framework Agreement.
From always being open to learning something new, to sharing her knowledge with others and building strong connections with colleagues, suppliers and customers, Sarah brings both energy and collaboration to everything she does.
Growing up in Yorkshire, do you feel that background has influenced the way you connect with people and build relationships in your role?
Definitely. I am a proud Yorkshire lass and I think that shows in how I speak with people. I am just myself with customers, suppliers and new colleagues. If someone has a question, I will give the best answer I can. If I do not know I will be honest about it, but will make sure to go and find out the answer and share it back. Being genuine and easy to talk to helps build trust, and good conversations are where real progress happens.
You’ve become known in the team for your strong organisational skills, whether it’s coordinating projects or planning team events. How do you think this ability benefits your work with colleagues, suppliers and customers?
I like things to be organised, so if something needs sorting, I will happily take it on. I listen to what people want, check the options and bring it together so everyone has a good experience. That applies to socials and to projects. I make sure the right people are involved, keep the communication clear and look for a good deal. It keeps things moving and helps everyone feel included.
What’s your favourite part of your job, and why do you enjoy it?
Learning. There is always something new to get your teeth into, whether it is a process, a product or a system. Even if you are on a task for a couple of weeks, you still pick up something fresh within it. No two days are quite the same, which keeps it interesting.
What brought you to NOE CPC, and what have you learned so far in your time here?
I enjoyed my last job, but I wanted to push myself and progress. I had worked in the NHS before, so this felt like a good next step. I soon learned that procurement here is very different to working within a single trust. In a trust, you might be ordering specific items from set suppliers. Here, you work on frameworks that support multiple trusts, you engage with a wider supplier base and you look at innovation and savings on a bigger scale. It was a learning curve, and a rewarding one.
What’s something you’ve done recently that made you feel proud of your contribution?
Publishing a tender under the new Procurement Act was a big one for me. There was a lot to learn with the new documents and processes, and I wanted to make sure I got it right. With support from colleagues, we met the timeline with everything in place, and I was proud of the result and of how much I learned along the way. It showed what can happen when you ask for help, listen carefully and share back what you’ve picked up.
It was also quite a personal achievement, as I’d been planning a family holiday at the same time. Managing the two alongside each other took a lot of focus, but getting the tender out successfully and then being able to take that time away afterwards made the hard work feel even more rewarding.
How do you feel your work supports our team and the organisations we help?
For me, it’s about using what I’ve learned to make a difference. Every project I’ve worked on has taught me something new, whether that’s about the products, the market or how trusts use them in practice, and I use that knowledge to help guide the conversations I have with customers and suppliers. I enjoy being able to share what I’ve learned, and just as much, I enjoy learning from others in the team. We’re always bouncing ideas off each other, which makes us stronger as a group.
I think the value I bring, and that we bring as a team, is being able to give trusts extra confidence in the decisions they make. Suppliers are the experts in their products and we work closely with them, but my role is to provide an independent perspective. My focus is on helping trusts find the right products to meet their needs, at the best possible value, and introducing innovation where it can genuinely make a difference.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with your team that has helped you in your role?
That you are never on your own. If I know the answer, I will share it. If I don’t, I will ask. There is always someone at the end of a phone or on Teams who will lend a hand. We pass learning along so the next person can build on it, whether to help make the process faster or more simplified, or more generally so they keep improving. It sounds simple, but talking to each other saves time and improves the result.
If someone new were joining your role, what advice would you give them to feel confident and do their best work?
Take your time, learn the systems, ask questions, and most importantly… don’t give up. I know when I first started there were times that I wasn’t sure of my own skills and it felt like a lot, but (and I know this is cliché) practise really does make perfect. I promise you will get there, so stick with it and be yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you need help, because you will. Everybody needs help from time to time. Just remember when it finally clicks, to be willing to pay it forward, and share your learning to help the next person.
You’ve recently taken on more responsibility, including leading on the development of the next Textiles Framework Agreement. How have you found this experience, and what have you enjoyed most about stepping up into this role?
There have been good days and tough ones. Sometimes everything is lined up and you can see the progress. Other times a process changes and you have to rework documents to fit the new requirements. That is part of learning. I enjoy seeing it come together, from gathering information and preparing documents to presenting at a webinar. I am always willing to admit, that I still have some things to develop, but seeing it go live was a great feeling. Seeing something like that with your name on it and knowing the effort you put into it is very satisfying.
You’re well known for bringing people together and building strong connections, both within the team and with suppliers. What do you think helps you create those relationships, and will we see your organisational skills in action at the next team event?
No real secret. I listen, I keep the conversation open and I try to find the best deal for everyone. Whether it is booking a Christmas do or helping a trust choose the right product, I want people to feel they got a fair outcome. I am happy to help plan the next get-together, and I will do my best to make it a good one.
Sarah’s focus on clear communication, steady learning and sharing what she knows makes her a valued member of the team.
If you’d like to learn more about the Textiles Framework Agreement that Sarah supports, you can find more information here:
https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/product-information/contract-launch-brief/textiles/