Driven to succeed
Beginning her working life with only a Class One Learner drivers’ licence, Sophie Cosgrove’s career path shows how a drive for continuous improvement and success can lead to great things.
Now the Driver Training Coordinator for Foodstuffs South Island, Sophie has taken every opportunity to grow and learn that she can and says she loves the dynamic nature of her role.
“No two days are the same. I'm really lucky with my team and my employer that everyone gets stuck into the work and we're quite a collaborative group of people.”
Sophie has completed two MITO driver qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Road Transport Skills (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Heavy Vehicle Operator) (Level 3). She is also currently completing the New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) programme and undertaking her driving instructor endorsement.
She says learning about people management has been an interesting step up in her skillset.
“In the past I've only worked with the truck side of things, not really the people side, but I've had quite a few opportunities this year in terms of leadership and people management. I've been on a couple of leadership courses and I'm really, really loving it. The change of information has been great.”
This focus on continuous improvement has led to Sophie receiving the 2025 MITO/Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Scholarship, recognising her as an emerging leader in the field, and awarding her $1,000 toward her next training opportunity—a Diploma in Business (Level 5).
Despite being an ambitious learner, Sophie says she has struggled with imposter syndrome, sharing that it was a shock when she heard her name being called as the scholarship winner at the awards dinner.
“I was really surprised and quite humbled. When my name was called I kind of just sat there for a bit.
“It's really encouraging to know that the work I've done up until now has been appreciated and I must be doing something right! It's made me realise where I am now is where I’m meant to be.”
2025 MITO/CILT Scholarship recipient Sophie Cosgrove, with MITO Limited Board Chair Sturrock Saunders, and Chair of the CILT Central Region Committee and Managing Director of Vitruvius, Andrew Body.
Transport South Island Operations Manager Andrew Mayo says Sophie’s contribution is significant and deserves recognition.
“Sophie is an outstanding asset to the team, consistently earning trust and respect through her deep knowledge, reliability, and integrity. She’s helping shape a culture of growth, accountability, and continual improvement,” says Andrew.
MITO Executive Director Verna Niao acknowledges Sophie’s leadership qualities and the contribution she is making to the future of the industry.
“Having a willingness to learn and grow are excellent attributes for an emerging leader and are worth celebrating. Sophie is exactly the kind of person we are proud to have in our industry. She is a worthy recipient of this scholarship and I look forward to seeing her future successes,” says Verna.
CILT New Zealand President Suhail Sequeira shares why Sophie embodies the organisation’s mission and the spirit of this scholarship.
“Sophie Cosgrove represents exactly what this scholarship is designed to support—emerging leaders who combine technical capability, curiosity, and a passion for shaping the future of our sector. At CILT, we’re focused on developing talent and raising the profile of supply chain and logistics as a career. Sophie’s continued growth will not only benefit her organisation, but the wider industry as we work together to lift capability across Aotearoa.”