A talented HRD/Head of HR and skilled influencer, passionate about people and developing others. An authentic senior HR professional who draws on a mix of strategic/board level HR business partnering, a deep knowledge of employee experience, inclusion and leadership of large and matrix teams. Broad experience in senior HR leadership roles, operations and customer service, gained in the private (Retail, FMCG, Leisure, IT, Banking) and Not for Profit sectors in the UK and USA.After starting my career in HR by chance, but discovering a true passion for the area, I have worked for a number of much-loved, values driven, customer centric brands such as LEGO, Guide Dogs and John Lewis Partnership, currently at Howdens. I am a trusted and experienced HR leader, influencing at enterprise/board level. During my earlier career I also stepped out into operational leadership roles (including one in the USA) to develop my team leadership skills and to build my professional credibility back in HR.I’ve enjoyed many career highlights which make my skills and experiences somewhat unique: I’ve opened two LEGOLAND Parks, set up and run HR shared services, partnered CEOs/Chairman and board directors as a trusted advisor leading transformational change, and most recently I have been leading strategy and action in relation to diversity and inclusion, something I am truly passionate about.I love to learn, collaborate and to coach and mentor others, enabling them to do their best work. My work is defined by my measured influencing style, professional courage and is built on trusted relationships and expertise.Key capabilities: Strategic business partnering, board advisory, people strategy, diversity and inclusion, talent management, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, employee experience, executive recruitment, coaching, influencing, transformational change management, shared services, employee relations, leadership, people management, customer service, generalist HR, consultation and engagement, redeployment, management development, recruitment operations, stakeholder management, employment law, reward, HRIS, team leadership.