In bathrooms and kitchens, buying groups have long been associated with pricing power and rightly so. Strong commercial terms matter.

But today, they’re only part of the picture.

Increasingly, the real value of a buying group lies in something broader: the people behind it and how they bring everything together.

The IPG has underlined this in recent months with two senior hires, Lisa Maestranzi and Sofia Chaouachi - both bringing strong experience from complex, fast-paced industries and a refreshingly practical approach to buying.

What stands out isn’t just their CVs. It’s how they think.

Both are focused on making things work, not just on paper, but in practice. Lisa’s background across supply chain, operations and commercial strategy brings a sharp focus on delivery and continuous improvement, while Sofia’s experience in manufacturing and construction is rooted in simplifying complexity and turning strategy into action.

That mindset matters.

Because the sector isn’t getting any simpler. Between sustainability demands, supply chain challenges and shifting customer expectations, the pressure on buying teams has never been greater.

The strongest teams are responding by doing two things well.

First, they simplify cutting through noise, aligning stakeholders and making decisions clearer and faster.

Second, they collaborate. Strong supplier partnerships, built on trust, transparency and shared goals, are where long-term value is created.

It’s also encouraging to see both of The IPG’s latest hires are women, reflecting a broader shift towards more diverse leadership in the sector.

Buying is important but it’s how it’s done and the people doing it, that make the real difference.