The PEOPLE People Podcast

In this final episode of the PEOPLE people podcast I talk to one of my favourite people in HR. Harriet has had a great career from John Lewis toM&S and not to one of the biggest names in food and our dinner tables! It's a great finale episode and a fun way to end the experiment which has been this podcast.

Sharon is one of my US guests on the podcast, she has over 30 years of executive Human Resources leadership experience. She was the CHRO of four global $1B dollar companies - Oil & Gas Services and EPC contractors. Sharon brings extensive major transaction experience. Starting with the recent merger of Kentech with SNC Lavalin Oil and Gas Division to form Kent PLC. She also led the HR workstreams with the spin off and US IPO of a $1B US company Archrock, the purchase of $.5B Valerus by FTSE 250 company Kentz Corp. Ltd and the acquisition and delisting of Kentz by SNC Lavalin. Sharon was also the HR leader and a Culture Champion during the integration of Mustang Engineering with John Wood Group PLC. Sharon has so much great experience to share in this episode.

Susannah Clements is the CPO at Anglian Water and has a very varied career journey as people director, search partner and even Deputy CEO of the CIPD. Hear her story in this episode.

There arent many people you could call a scion of the industry, but Siobhan is definitely one of them. This was a fun episode to record and always nice to catch up with Siobhan. Now the Chief People Officer at the FCA, Siobhan has been in central governament (DEFRA, DWP, MoD) and in Not for Profit (NSPCC) as well as commerical roles (Capital One). This epidsode is full of insight.

'daniel Kasmir was the Chief People Officer at Talk Talk. He's had an exciting career working for some trult exceptional leaders.

James is the Executive Vice President at AtkinsRéalis. He has had an illustrious career working for some of the world's largest companies. An international HR Director with real experience, he is one of the few HR Dkirectors to have been an Executive Director on the board of a public company. This episode is full of wisdom from James

Michelle is the Chief People Officer og Grainger, the UK's largest listed residential landlord. With an illustrious career in financial services, hear Michelle's career journey.

Tim has had a fascinating career. Hear his story in this episode.

Diahann Williams is the Group HR Director at the founder led Howden's Group. Providing insurance globally. With over 16,000 people and a very active founder, Diahann gives us insight into what it is like working for a charismatic leader. If that wasn't enough, Diahann explains what is is like to work in some of the most challenging environments - working for tobacco, oil or alcoholic drinks businesses are part of her journey. It's a great story!

Jim is the Group HR Director at FTSE 100 firm Spirax Sarco. A true Glaswegian he journeyed south to England and has had an illustrious career in HR. Hear how he learned his craft at Ford in Dagenham before joing British Gas and Centrica and then working for himself at the wonderfully named "Devine Interventions". There's a lot of great insight in this fascinating converdation.

Episode 30 sees me interview Andrew Neal who has had a great career from car salesman to Chief People Officer at Talent and Recruitment firm Nash Squared, at the forefront of AI. Hear how Andrew's formative years in HR were shaped at Tesco and enjoy a great career story!

Chuck is the CHRO of the American Bureau of Shipping. This week we head over to the USA to hear an unique and diffeent perspective on the HR careeer path.

Sarah and I sat down for a good chat about her incredibly interesting career journey from a startup bank - a real trailblazer brand - Egg to a stint in India with BT via Private equity and now CPO at RM plc. It was a great conversation and there's loads to learn for a really experienced HR professional (Sarah, not me!).

What does every household on th planet have it a kitchen drawer, shelf or shed ? It has to be a can of WD40 - alongside Nike, Coke and James Bond, WD40 is one of the most recognised global brands. Hear what it is like to be CPO in this amazing organisation. Jeff talks about the challenges of innovation and diversity in a long established leadership team and how he progressed throughout his career. It's a great story and not a squeaky door in sight!

Meet Martha Desmond - the Chief People Officer of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the largest horticultural organisation in the world! She was originally a PE teacher, started her HR journey in the oil and gas industry with a stint running a business unit and then back to HR in listed business and Private Equity. What a fascinating career!

Sharron has had a fantastic career. She is the Chief People Officer at Lloyds register and has specialised in designing and implementing fast paced business transformation in consulting, business and HR. A firm believer in mentoring and lifelong learning, Sharron has reached the very top of the HR profession. Listen to her fascinating story in this episode.

Loren is a truly international leader, a citizen of the world having lived in more countries that I seem to have even visited! Hear his fascinating journey from senior commercial roles into HR and hear what it is like to work for some of the world's most famous brands from De Beers to MTV, Nokia and Google before ending up at the world famous Lego Group.

The Wellcome Trust was founded in 1936, in accordance with Henry Wellcome's will, to improve health by supporting scientific research and the study of medicine. With a find of over £38bn it is a remarkable charity, bigger than most FTSE100 businesses. Kathy Poole has had a brilliant career that led to her leading the people function at the one of the world's most respected organisations.

Mark Powell is the Interim Chief People Officer at Saga plc. We talk about all things HR - his fascinating career from engineering to people and leadership, private equity and customer service, culture and values along the way.

David is the People and Orgnaisational DevelopmentDirector of Dole plc, the largest fresh produce company in the world. Listen to David talk about his career journey which he planned with intention. Hear him talk about navigating an international role while having a young family and how he manages relationships at board and executive level in a global organisation.

Kate Seller is the CPO at Landsec, the UK's largest listed commercial real estate business. A FTSE100 with assets like the iconic lights at Piccadilly, and Bluewater Shopping centre, the company is a shifting from being a 'landlord' to a force for good in the communiites it serves. Hear about Kate's varied career and how she ended up in the best people role in Real Estate.

Carole Goldsmith, Director of People, Royal Horticultural Society With over 20 years of experience working in senior roles within the ‘people' space, Carole is currently the Royal Horticultural Society's Director of People. In this episode, she reflects on diversity and community outreach for an organisation committed to sustainability and heritage. In this episode we discuss: The impact of the recruitment crisis on the horseracing industry * Academic qualifications vs. attitude and motivation * The Royal Horticultural Society's strategy to attract and retain a diverse workforce * How will AI impact the future of HR * Being a visitor attraction with different experiences for different people

Stephen is the Chief People Officer at Copper - a digital assset management business that provides custody, trading and settlement solutions. Stephen has had a varied career spanning operations as well as HR. We talk about being at the cutting edge of technology and finance and chat about organisational culture,

Nhlamu talks about growing up in South Africa and her entrepreneurial spirit whcih fuels her passion for HR. A relationship builder and an expert at prioritisation, she covers a wide range of topics including innovation in HR, Transformational change and how strong work relationships matter. KPMG is a global firm with over 260,000 emplouess in 150 countries, so I ask Nhlamu what it is like to do such a big role....

What you accept, you teach - with Libby Jones, Chief People Officer, My Dentist Libby Jones talks about her journey into HR from a graduate in Retail to leaning into one of the biggest challenges facing UK healthcare - finding more dentists! Forever grateful to the John Lewis Partnership Libby explained to me how curiosity is a key skill for HR professionals. Libby shares some great insight into the demands of being a CPO. With over 4 million customers Mydentist is without doubt a private equity backed business with a difference! In this episode we discuss: Whether common sense is needed in HR * Why OD, Remuneration and Talent are the three most important areas of expertise for the CPO * How being in a big firm allows you to access deep expertise * How switching sector is possible and appealing

Hear from the irrepressible Bertie Tonks, voted #1 on HR's Most influential practitioner list 2023: he is the hat-wearing, bow-tie sporting, skateboarding Chief People Officer at Collinson Group, a global family owned business with nearly 2000 employees in 14 countries. Hear the career journey of a CPO who literally came up from the gutter to work all over the world in multiple sectors. Hear how he cured his fear of public speaking and ended up as the hugely popular and charismatic leader that he is today. This one is a truly candid conversation - not to be missed!

Being human with Kirstin Furber, People Director at Channel 4 Kirstin Furber is the People Director at Channel 4. With a varied background in sales, coaching, and executive roles, Kirstin shares her insights on finding fulfilment in your work, the importance of strong relationships, and the challenges and rewards of being a non-executive (Plus a yoga tip or two!). In this episode we discuss: Non-executive work and the importance of a hands-off approach The role of HR in supporting wellness and authentic leadership Gaining confidence when sitting at an executive table Specialist roles versus people management roles The impact of networking and serendipity

Tiger De Souza MBE is the Executive Director of People & Culture at the Samaritans. Hear about how he looked after his own wellbeing while at NSPCC and driving change and being an agitator at the National Trust. It's a remarkable career from an inspirational HR leader in the 70th anniversary year of Samaritans.

Danny Harmer, CPO at Aviva talks about her career experiences from starting out at the bottom and why larger scale doesn't automatically mean more complexity! In this episode we discuss: Navigating the transition from a commercial role to HR The importance of employee relations when scaling Overcoming the challenges of scaling up customer support functions How data transformed HR practices over time

Kevin Green is the Cheif People Officer at firstbus, one of the largest regional bus operators in the UK, with more than a million passenger journeys every day. Kevin;s career has been peppered with big transformational change projects and KEvin is one of the few CPOs to have been a CEO as well! Hear about his career journey as we chat about the role that Firstbus can play in building community spirit as well how the transport sectorimpacts society at large.

Just be human - with Rachel King, Group HR Director, Spire Healthcare Rachel King is the Group HR Director at Spire Healthcare, the largest independent hospital group in England, Wales and Scotland. Prior to that she has worked for the BBC, Hearst and The Random House Group, to name a few. Tune in as we explore pushing her comfort zone through working in different industries, realistic goal setting and making space for self-reflection. In this episode we discuss.... Tips on navigating workplace politics and developing resilience * What makes an attractive work environment * Insights from working with the women leaders * How to ensure safety, quality and governance is a top priority but not stifling * Healthcare: making a positive difference through personalised care.

You can't do it all - with Kathryn Ward, People Director, Guide Dogs From archaeology student to recruitment consultant to round the world yacht crew and then investment banking, Sotheby's and finally ending up as People Director at Guide Dogs – Kathryn Ward has had a fascinating career. In this episode, we talk about all her experiences and she uncovers what it's like to represent a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to caring for people. In this episode, we discuss: • The role of focus groups in gathering feedback • Balancing a person-centred approach as well as being business-focused • Kathryn's transition from a commercial to a non-profit sector • The role of employee voice and the importance of addressing employee concerns • The shifting role of HR

That Iconic Yellow Bag with Debra Wiseglass, Group People Director at Selfridges Group Debra Wiseglass, Group People Director at Selfridges Group unpacks her journey, from her time in the consultancy world to her current position at Selfridges, where she is instrumental in creating a welcoming environment and promoting diversity and inclusion. In this episode we discuss: How Selfridges prioritises employee happiness and well-being * Learning about organisational dynamics and behavioural change as a consultant * How Selfridges creates a welcoming environment for all types of customers * Productivity in European businesses * The importance of HR support for leadership and management roles.

Every generation's a reaction to the previous one - with Neil Morrison, Director of Human Resources, Severn Trent Water Neil Morrison started his career in HR management in the 1990s and has since worked in a variety of HR roles within FTSE 100 companies, including Rentokil Initial and GUS. We delve into Neil's fascinating journey, his unique perspectives on organizational success, and his belief in bringing jobs in-house to support local communities and drive employee engagement. In this episode, we discuss: - Learning from the merger between Penguin and Random House - Considering how individuals will work with others in the organisation of the future - How organisations apply principles of the circular economy - The challenges faced by rural communities - How automation will impact the HR profession

People work for people - with Emma Rose, Chief Human Resources Officer, Travis Perkins Plc Emma Rose is the Chief Human Resources Officer, Travis Perkins. She has a track record as a strategic business partner at Kerry Group, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Kraft, Cadbury, Coca-Cola and M&S, and voted HR Director of the Year in 2018. Emma shares her journey through the confectionery industry, the construction sector, and fostering a collaborative business environment. In this episode we discuss: How can apprenticeships bring more equal opportunities? Making career decisions based on values and strengths Creating an inclusive working environment for those with intellectual disabilities How can leaders encourage a growth mindset? Why HR professionals need to collaborate closely with the managing director

Inspiring Interviews and Candid Conversations. I interview some of the biggest names in the people profession. Join me to get inside the mind of the Chief People Officer and find out what makes them tick......

Take that risk - with Simon Smith, Chief People Officer at Aston Martin Lagonda Plc. Simon Smith is a true advocate for creating a strong internal community within organisations and believes in the power of giving back. He is the Chief People Officer at Aston Martin Lagonda, and joins me to talk about his insights on building a positive company culture. He also delves into the importance of networking, the role of HR in organisations, and his personal journey in the ever-changing business world. In this episode we discuss: - How can organisations create a sense of community within their internal teams? - Giving back to the community and being socially responsible - Seeing HR as the “glue” and beyond just administrative tasks - The impact of automation and technology on mental health in the workplace

Amanda Cusdin, Chief people Officer at the FTSE100 software business Sage shares her career insights and how working in a dynamic tech company is so rewarding. With strong founding principles, Sage is a huge success story. A global business founded in Newcastle, hear how it has a huge impact on the local community and beyond. Amanda shares her wisdom and experience of what it takes to get to the very top in HR.

Rob Bray, CPO of family owned business Nando's talks about the huge success of the Nando's brand, the challenges of recrtuiting and retaining a young workforce and his deep concern for the future of the planet. In this episode we discuss: Creating opportunities for marginalised individuals How Nando's is addressing their carbon footprint Nando's unique approach to hiring and developing talent Strategies for prioritising employee well-being What key skills will be in demand in the future? Links: ‘Grow the Pie' by Alex Edmans https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Pie-Companies-Deliver-Purpose/dp/1108494854

A candid conversation with Diana Breeze, whose career spans John Lewis, Accenture, Sainsbury's and more. We talk about her career, the advice she has been given and what makes a great HR professional....and some guilty pleasures!