26 February 2026
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Sarah Turner, of Beijer Ref UK & Ire
Sarah Turner is Learning & Development Director at Beijer Ref UK & Ireland, with a career shaped by building strong teams, developing talent and creating cultures where people can thrive.
What was your first job?
It was a food factory, which was dull, repetitive work, and it was my introduction to how toxic a working environment could be - thankfully, not something I have experienced too much of in my career. My first job in this industry was as a spares assistant for the distributor SWM, and the role was essentially selecting spare parts for customers. I was curious and wanted to know how everything fitted together and how it worked. We had a technical department and workshop on site, and the technical team were always happy to share their time and knowledge, explaining how everything worked.
What does your current role involve?
At its core, my role is about helping people do their best work and creating the right environment for that to happen.
I’ve been in the role since October, and my immediate focus has been on getting the foundations right and really understanding what the business needs. A lot of my time goes into making sure learning supports the skills, behaviours and leadership we need, not just now, but as we grow as a business.
Culture is a big part of that. The leadership team work to build an environment of trust where people feel supported, confident to develop, and able to be themselves at work. I work very closely with our MD and HR Director, so learning, people and culture all move in the same direction.
Ultimately, my job is to help people grow in a way that genuinely makes a difference to the business. I’m not interested in delivering training for training’s sake; it needs to have an impact on both the people and the business.
What attracted you to the industry?
I’d just completed my BSc in Psychology and, frankly, needed the money. When I read the job advert for SWM, it sounded more interesting than normal entry-level jobs. I had worked in hospitality and retail, but this seemed like a role that could be the start of a career. How right I was!
What excites/interests you about the industry?
The people. When I joined SWM, it was like no other work environment I had been in before. The people were supportive and listened to my ideas for improvement; when people listen, it makes you feel that you and your ideas are valued. This seemed to be a theme that continued in my successive roles.
It wasn’t just colleagues - customers and suppliers were also happy to share their knowledge and support me. Having worked in retail, it was refreshing to build relationships with customers and suppliers, and to support each other.
How would you like to see your career developing?
This was the role I wanted. In 2016, I came back to Beijer Ref UK & Ireland; I knew it was a business of opportunity and that it recognised talent. John Billson invested in me and, when he promoted me to General Manager of RW and later Business Director, he empowered me to shape the role into what I felt it needed to be to best support the business and have the greatest impact. Through that role, I found my passion for training and shaping the culture of the team.
For the past few years, I have known that this is where I wanted my career to go, so last year I started to put together a business case to change my role and be fully focused on people. I kept it under my hat, waiting for the right time, so you can imagine how elated I was when Hayley Cattell offered me the role of Learning and Development Director. Both John and Hayley have a unique understanding of people’s strengths and passions, and Hayley was leaning into that.
I have a lot to learn and am focusing on being the best I can be to deliver the best. I feel like every person in this business is my responsibility, and I take that very seriously.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
What other people think of you is none of your business. I was overly concerned with how others perceived me, but that takes time, energy and peace of mind. If I act with honesty and integrity and set boundaries, their feelings are their own. My husband, who knows me better than anyone, gave me this advice, and it has been incredibly liberating.
What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?
Sustainability has moved from being a talking point to a base expectation.
As a wholesaler, this is not just about stocking low-GWP products or publishing intentions. We need to know where our products come from, how they are made, and whether supply chains are ethical. We also need to report on waste, packaging, transport emissions, and the way we run our operations.
Sustainability is also about capability. We need people who understand new systems, new refrigerants, evolving regulations, and changing customer expectations. That requires continuous learning, strong leadership, and a commitment to developing skills at every level of the organisation.
The real challenge is turning intentions into action whilst also trying to run a successful and competitive business.
What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the ACR industry?
What we do supports the infrastructure of this country, and that really hit home during Covid. Hospitals, supermarkets, data centres, the list goes on. Roles are varied, and I don’t think people fully understand just how many opportunities there are within the industry.
I have a photograph that serves as a powerful reminder of this. It was taken in 2008 on my first trip to Philadelphia with United Refrigeration. Three of us in that photograph are still with Beijer Ref, and each of us is now part of the Senior Leadership Team. It’s also important to note that when you do land a role, you make it your own, not just what is written in the job description.
Sarah, far right, at a variety show preparing to dance to Mr Bojangles
Is there a little-known fact about yourself that would surprise other people?
When I was three, my mother signed me up for dance lessons, and I turned out to be particularly good at tap dancing, winning medals and being picked for solo performances. I left when I was 19, but ten years later my dance teacher reached out to ask if I would come back, so I joined the adult tap group and, until recently, found myself back on stage. The shows are a huge commitment, and I would love to return to it one day. I clearly still enjoy performing, as anyone who has witnessed my karaoke will confirm!
