50 Chief People Officers at UK Listed Companies

People leadership shapes the part of work that everyone feels: how a company hires, grows, supports and keeps good people. In a listed business, that work also sits alongside public commitments, investor attention and the need to keep a large organisation moving in one direction.

This list brings together 50 senior people leaders connected with public companies that have a substantial UK presence. It includes group roles and clearly named UK leadership roles where that is the public title. The companies span retail, finance, healthcare, industrials, technology, travel and professional services.

As of August 2026, the common thread is practical responsibility. These leaders help turn strategy into the everyday conditions in which people can do good work, develop capability and stay connected to the organisation’s purpose.

The people leaders.

1. Sarah Mason.

Chief People Officer, SThree.

Sarah Mason carries the Chief People Officer brief at SThree. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

She rejoined SThree in 2023 after serving as CPO at Foxtons. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

2. Erica Bourne.

Chief People Officer, LSEG.

At LSEG, Erica Bourne works across the organisation as Chief People Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

She was appointed in January 2023. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

3. Roanne Parry.

Chief People Officer, GSK.

Roanne Parry serves as Chief People Officer at GSK, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

She joined GSK in May 2026. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

4. Hayley Tatum.

Chief People Officer, Marks & Spencer.

The Chief People Officer role at Marks & Spencer belongs to Hayley Tatum. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

Her career spans more than 30 years in UK retail. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

5. Jacky Simmonds.

Chief People Officer, Experian.

Jacky Simmonds holds the Chief People Officer role at Experian. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

She joined Experian in July 2020. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

6. Emma Hardaker-Jones.

Group Chief People Officer, National Grid.

Emma Hardaker-Jones leads the people agenda as Group Chief People Officer at National Grid. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

Her remit covers people and organisation across a major infrastructure group. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

7. Ali Bebo.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Pearson.

Ali Bebo carries the Chief Human Resources Officer brief at Pearson. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

The role sits at the intersection of people, learning and a global education business. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

8. Deborah Lee.

Group Chief People and Culture Officer, Compass Group.

At Compass Group, Deborah Lee works across the organisation as Group Chief People and Culture Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

Her role covers a large, distributed workforce across food and support services. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

9. Natalie Bickford.

Chief People Officer, Diageo.

Natalie Bickford serves as Chief People Officer at Diageo, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

Her remit sits within a global consumer brand portfolio. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

10. Maria Kokkinou.

Group Chief People Officer, NatWest Group.

The Group Chief People Officer role at NatWest Group belongs to Maria Kokkinou. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

She joined NatWest Group in March 2025. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

11. Aileen Taylor.

Group Chief People and Governance Officer, HSBC.

Aileen Taylor holds the Group Chief People and Governance Officer role at HSBC. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

The combined remit links culture, people and governance. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

12. Danielle Harmer.

Chief People Officer, Aviva.

Danielle Harmer leads the people agenda as Chief People Officer at Aviva. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

Her role supports a large UK and international insurance business. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

13. Emma Holden.

Chief People Officer, Legal & General.

Emma Holden carries the Chief People Officer brief at Legal & General. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

She was appointed in February 2026. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

14. Matt Howells.

Chief People Officer, M&G.

At M&G, Matt Howells works across the organisation as Chief People Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

His role supports a listed investment and savings group. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

15. Jane Storm.

Chief People Officer, Direct Line Group.

Jane Storm serves as Chief People Officer at Direct Line Group, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

Her role supports a large UK insurance business with a substantial customer base. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

16. Emma Taylor.

Chief People Officer, Tesco.

The Chief People Officer role at Tesco belongs to Emma Taylor. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

She has held the role since 2018. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

17. Ade Rawcliffe.

Chief People and Inclusion Officer, ITV.

Ade Rawcliffe holds the Chief People and Inclusion Officer role at ITV. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

The role combines people leadership with inclusion. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

18. Catherine Chia.

Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Prudential.

Catherine Chia leads the people agenda as Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Prudential. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

She was appointed in April 2023. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

19. Emma Rose.

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Convatec.

Emma Rose carries the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer brief at Convatec. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

Her remit sits in a global medical-products company. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

20. Melanie Tansey.

Chief People Officer, Entain.

At Entain, Melanie Tansey works across the organisation as Chief People Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

Her role sits within a global betting and gaming group operating across several markets. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

21. Charlotte Eaton.

Chief People Officer, Arm.

Charlotte Eaton serves as Chief People Officer at Arm, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

She has held the role since November 2024. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

22. Tessel Naaijkens.

Chief People Officer, PageGroup.

The Chief People Officer role at PageGroup belongs to Tessel Naaijkens. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

She was promoted into the role in October 2024. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

23. Alison Wilcox.

Chief People and Culture Officer, BT.

Alison Wilcox holds the Chief People and Culture Officer role at BT. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

She rejoined BT in June 2025. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

24. Marie-Claire Barker.

Chief People Officer, Performance and Culture, WPP.

Marie-Claire Barker leads the people agenda as Chief People Officer, Performance and Culture at WPP. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

WPP describes her appointment to the role in 2026. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

25. Arlene Stokes.

Chief People Officer, Aegon UK.

Arlene Stokes carries the Chief People Officer brief at Aegon UK. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

She was appointed in April 2024. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

26. Nicola Lyons.

Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Getlink.

At Getlink, Nicola Lyons works across the organisation as Group Chief Human Resources Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

She joined Getlink in May 2025. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

27. Ann-Marie Murphy.

Group Chief People Officer, SSP Group.

Ann-Marie Murphy, Group Chief People Officer, SSP Group, is identified in SSP Group executive committee material as the senior people leader.

She brings the people brief into a business built around food, travel and service across many markets.

28. Michelle Traynor.

Chief People Officer, Ceres Power.

The Chief People Officer role at Ceres Power belongs to Michelle Traynor. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

The role sits within a clean-energy technology company. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

29. Tracey Hahn.

Chief People Officer, abrdn.

Tracey Hahn holds the Chief People Officer role at abrdn. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

Her remit supports an international investment company. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

30. Kate Seljeflot.

Chief People Officer, Kingfisher.

Kate Seljeflot leads the people agenda as Chief People Officer at Kingfisher. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

A July 2026 company announcement also identifies her in the role. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

31. Sonia Astill.

Chief People Officer, Wickes.

Sonia Astill carries the Chief People Officer brief at Wickes. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

Her role supports a specialist home-improvement retailer. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

32. Sally Austin.

Chief People Officer, Barratt Redrow.

At Barratt Redrow, Sally Austin works across the organisation as Chief People Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

She joined in November 2023. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

33. Diana Breeze.

Director of Group Human Resources, Bunzl.

Diana Breeze serves as Director of Group Human Resources at Bunzl, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

She was appointed in January 2019. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

34. Michelle Lydon.

Chief People Officer, Croda.

The Chief People Officer role at Croda belongs to Michelle Lydon. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

She took over the role in 2023. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

35. Jim Devine.

Group Human Resources Director, Spirax Group.

Jim Devine holds the Group Human Resources Director role at Spirax Group. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

The role covers a specialist engineering group. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

36. Rosemary McGinness.

Chief People Officer, Weir Group.

Rosemary McGinness leads people at Weir Group as Chief People Officer.

She joined Weir from William Grant & Sons, where she had been group HR director for 12 years.

37. Carol Frost.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson Matthey.

Carol Frost carries the Chief Human Resources Officer brief at Johnson Matthey. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

She joined Johnson Matthey in June 2025. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

38. Kini Pathmanathan.

Chief People, Sustainability and Excellence Officer, Smiths Group.

At Smiths Group, Kini Pathmanathan works across the organisation as Chief People, Sustainability and Excellence Officer. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

The role combines people, sustainability and operational excellence. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

39. Jeremy Phillips-Powell.

Interim Group Human Resources Director, Rentokil Initial.

Jeremy Phillips-Powell serves as Interim Group Human Resources Director at Rentokil Initial, a position that links leadership practice with the wider operating context.

He was appointed in April 2026. It shows why the title can look different across sectors while carrying a similar responsibility.

40. Jessica Oppenheimer.

Chief People Officer, Hammerson.

The Chief People Officer role at Hammerson belongs to Jessica Oppenheimer. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

She joined Hammerson in 2022. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

41. Donna Catley.

Group Human Resources Director, Diploma.

Donna Catley holds the Group Human Resources Director role at Diploma. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

She joined in September 2023. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

42. Anne Billson-Ross.

Group Human Resources Director, Taylor Wimpey.

Anne Billson-Ross leads the people agenda as Group Human Resources Director at Taylor Wimpey. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

A December 2025 company article confirms the role. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

43. Rose Thomson.

Chief Human Resources Officer, RELX.

Rose Thomson carries the Chief Human Resources Officer brief at RELX. That puts people leadership close to decisions about growth, capability and culture.

The role supports a global information and analytics group. For this list, it is a useful example of people leadership in a complex organisation.

44. Vicki Potter.

Chief Human Resources Officer and Services Director, Oxford Instruments.

Vicki Potter combines the Chief Human Resources Officer and Services Director roles at Oxford Instruments.

The company has connected her people brief with early-career development and apprenticeship work.

45. Clancy Murphy.

Chief People Officer, Chemring.

Clancy Murphy is Chemring’s Chief People Officer.

Chemring has publicly connected her role with work to make conversations about mental health more normal at work.

46. Sue Whalley.

Chief People and Performance Officer, Associated British Foods.

The Chief People and Performance Officer role at Associated British Foods belongs to Sue Whalley. It is a brief where people decisions meet the practical work of running a large organisation.

The combined title connects people, performance and a diversified group. That context makes the role worth understanding beyond the job title.

47. Maria Antoniou.

Group Human Resources Director, Morgan Advanced Materials.

Maria Antoniou holds the Group Human Resources Director role at Morgan Advanced Materials. The position shows how people leadership can be both strategic and close to daily organisational life.

She has held the role since November 2020. It is a reminder that the people brief changes with the organisation around it.

48. Jill Shedden.

Chief People Officer, Centrica.

Jill Shedden leads the people agenda as Chief People Officer at Centrica. That makes the role relevant to anyone trying to turn culture and capability into consistent practice.

Her role supports a major UK energy and services group. The detail gives readers a practical way to think about the role.

49. Lynne Burns.

Group Human Resources Director, Barclays.

Lynne Burns is Barclays’ Group Human Resources Director.

She joined Barclays from Linklaters, where she was Chief People Officer, after senior HR roles at HSBC.

50. Emma Steck.

Chief Human Resources Officer, UK, Société Générale UK.

At Société Générale UK, Emma Steck works across the organisation as Chief Human Resources Officer, UK. The role sits close to the choices that shape how people experience work.

Her UK brief sits inside a global financial services group with a substantial public presence. That is the practical angle here: the role connects people decisions with the work of the business.

Conclusion.

Across the group, three themes stand out. People leadership is closely tied to the operating model, whether that means retail stores, financial services, industrial sites, technology teams or a global service network. The title also changes shape: some leaders hold a pure CPO brief, while others combine people with culture, inclusion, governance, performance or services.

The strongest roles connect those responsibilities rather than treating them as separate programmes. They make it easier for leaders to decide what matters, for managers to act consistently and for employees to understand how the organisation works.

That is the practical value of studying people leadership across different listed companies. It gives leaders useful questions to take back to their own context: what should stay consistent, what needs to change and what would make good people choose to stay and help others succeed.

About the Author.

Jonno White is the author of Step Up or Step Out and a Certified Working Genius Facilitator. He is Brisbane-based and works with schools, organisations and leadership teams around the world.

Related reading.

For a practical look at leadership team alignment, read 11 Proven Ways to Get Your Leadership Team Aligned. For a deeper look at how leaders work with different strengths, read 25 Ways Working Genius Transforms Executive Teams.

A practical next step.

If your people strategy needs to become clearer in the day-to-day work of leaders and managers, I can help you turn the big idea into practical next actions.

I work with leadership teams in writing first, so the questions, choices and next steps are clear before the work begins. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.