CHROs on the GO
Everyone who steps into a new role moves the needle. Here we shine a light on the CHROs who are shaping how work is led, felt, and grown across Europe.
This is a curated snapshot of fresh appointments. Leaders who set a people-first tone, open clearer paths for talent, elevate culture, and help teams do their best work.
Explore the moves, meet the leaders, and see where momentum is building.
CHROs on the GO
Everyone who steps into a new role moves the needle. Here we shine a light on the CHROs who are shaping how work is led, felt, and grown across Europe.
This is a curated snapshot of fresh appointments. Leaders who set a people-first tone, open clearer paths for talent, elevate culture, and help teams do their best work.
Explore the moves, meet the leaders, and see where momentum is building.
February 2026
Fotona® appoints Tjaša Amon as Chief Human Resources Officer
(February, 2026)
Fotona® (Slovenia/USA, world-leading medical laser manufacturer) has appointed Tjaša Amon as Chief Human Resources Officer. Tjaša brings over 15 years of international HR leadership experience, specializing in guiding organizations through large-scale transformations, including acquisitions, spin-offs, and organizational redesigns. She joins the firm following a successful tenure as Head of Human Resources for the Adria region at Henkel, where she managed comprehensive people strategies across multiple markets. Known for her focus on transparency and adaptability, Tjaša will lead Fotona’s global people agenda, focusing on strengthening leadership capabilities and fostering a resilient, innovative culture to support the company’s ongoing global expansion and technological evolution.
IFGL appoints Helen Thornton as Chief People and Culture Officer
(February, 2026)
International Financial Group Limited (IFGL) (Isle of Man, owner of brands including Ardan and Friends Provident International) has appointed Helen Thornton as Chief People and Culture Officer and a member of the Executive Team. In this role, she leads the group’s global people strategy with a focus on enhancing the colleague and customer experience during a period of significant growth. Helen brings a wealth of senior leadership experience from various sectors, having previously served as Chief People Officer at IWP UK, UK People Director at Lowell, and Group HR Director at Cognita Schools and International Personal Finance. Her career also includes senior HR roles at National Express, GNER, and British Airways.
Maintel appoints Rachel Cox as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Maintel (UK, leading provider of cloud communications, connectivity, and security managed services) has appointed Rachel Cox as Chief People Officer. Joining during a period of business transformation, Rachel is responsible for developing the company’s people strategy and leadership programs. She brings extensive experience from the technology and renewable energy sectors, having most recently served as Chief People Officer at Low Carbon Contracts Company. Her background also includes leadership roles as VP of People, Culture & Talent at Liberis and interim CPO at Delta Capita. Rachel is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and serves as a Strategic Advisory Board member at Loughborough University Business School.
Bekaert appoints Anthony Huyghebaert as Chief Human Resources Officer
(February, 2026)
Bekaert (Belgium/Global, world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies) has appointed Anthony Huyghebaert as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based at the company’s headquarters in Belgium, Anthony leads the global HR strategy for an organization of approximately 24,000 employees. Anthony is a seasoned senior executive with over 20 years of experience in human resources, characterized by a strong track record in driving transformation within complex matrix environments. He joins Bekaert from Vesuvius, where he served as Chief Human Resources Officer for over five years, overseeing global HR operations from London. His extensive international pedigree includes nearly 15 years at TE Connectivity, where he held various leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including VP of HR for Industrial Solutions and EMEA.
Canopius Group appoints Adrian Phipps as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Canopius Group (UK/Global, leading global specialty and P&C re-insurer) has appointed Adrian Phipps as Chief People Officer, effective June 2026. Reporting to Group CEO Neil Robertson, Adrian succeeds the retiring Barbara Turner to lead the firm’s global people strategy and the execution of its newly launched “Talent Manifesto.” He joins from the luxury travel company Secret Escapes, where he served as CPO. His extensive background also includes significant HR leadership tenures at Arqiva as People Director and RSA as HR Director for UK Personal Insurance. In his new role, he will focus on talent development and cultural evolution to support the group’s continued international growth.
Croud appoints Julia Dell as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Croud (UK/Global, digital marketing agency) has appointed Julia Dell as Chief People Officer (CPO) to support its next phase of global growth following investment from ECI Partners. Julia, who had been working with the agency in an interim capacity for several months, joins the permanent leadership team alongside new CFO Jeremy Summerfield. She brings over 25 years of experience in leading people strategy and organizational transformation for international, data-driven, and creative businesses. Her extensive background includes senior HR and consulting roles at several major media and technology organizations, including Channel 4, Channel 5, Deluxe Entertainment, Viacom, and Yahoo. In her role at Croud, she is responsible for fostering a transparent culture, developing clear career pathways, and strengthening talent development across the firm’s global offices.
Eramet appoints Laetitia Brun as Chief Human Resources Officer
(February, 2026)
Eramet (France, global mining and metals group) has appointed Laetitia Brun as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and a member of the Executive Committee, effective February 9, 2026. She succeeds Anne-Marie Le Maignan, who is retiring after over two decades with the Group. Laetitia is a seasoned HR executive with more than 20 years of international experience across the chemicals, metallurgy, and infrastructure sectors. She joins Eramet from Seqens, where she served as Group CHRO. Her extensive career also includes 15 years at Rhodia and Solvay in various HR leadership roles, followed by tenures as Group CHRO at Winoa and leadership positions at Getlink. She has held leadership roles in France, Belgium, and the UK, specializing in leading transformation programs within complex, multicultural organizations.
Faria Education Group appoints Rebecca Richardson as Global VP of People
(February, 2026)
Faria Education Group (Global, leading provider of integrated systems for international schools) has appointed Rebecca Richardson as Global VP of People. Rebecca is a strategic HR leader with over 10 years of international experience in building and scaling high-impact people functions across the UK, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. She joins from BlueBeat Group and OrcaNation, where she served as Chief People Officer, aligning organizational design with growth objectives and fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures. Her expertise includes driving transformation through global HRMS implementations, M&A integrations, and cultural change initiatives. In her new role at Faria, she will act as a trusted advisor to leadership, focusing on sustainable people practices and organizational resilience to support the group’s global scale.
Fine Foods & Pharmaceuticals N.T.M. S.p.A. appoints Alessandro Crippa as CHRO
(February, 2026)
Fine Foods & Pharmaceuticals N.T.M. S.p.A. (Italy, leading independent contract manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals) has appointed Alessandro Crippa as Chief Human Resources Officer. Alessandro joins the organization following a distinguished 17-year tenure at Campari Group, where he held several high-level leadership roles, most recently serving as Senior HR Director for the SEMEA region (Southern Europe, Middle East, and Africa). His extensive background at Campari included managing HR for global industrial operations and overseeing complex headquarters and commercial business units. A proponent of “Humanistic Management,” Alessandro brings over 20 years of HR expertise to Fine Foods, where he will partner with the executive team to drive organizational development and cultural integration during the company’s next phase of growth.
Automobili Lamborghini appoints Douglas Arrighi Pereira as Chief Human Resources Officer
(February, 2026)
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Italy, luxury super sports car manufacturer) has appointed Douglas Arrighi Pereira as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective March 1, 2026. He joins the automotive brand from the Volkswagen Group, where he most recently served as the HR Director for Volkswagen Group Italy. Pereira brings over 20 years of experience within the Volkswagen Group, having held various leadership positions in Brazil, Germany, and Italy, including senior HR roles at Audi. In his new role at Lamborghini, he succeeds Umberto Tossini and will be responsible for overseeing the company’s global people strategy, focusing on talent development, organizational culture, and the “Direzione Cor Tauri” electrification strategy, which impacts the brand’s workforce transformation.
Backbase appoints Jodi Slomp as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Backbase (Netherlands/Global, leader in AI-powered banking technology) has appointed Jodi Slomp as Chief People Officer (CPO). Jodi joins the company during a strategic transition toward AI-native operations, where she will lead the global people and talent strategy across regional hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, and Singapore. She brings a wealth of experience in scaling high-growth fintech and technology companies. She most recently led the People function at Mollie, one of Europe’s fastest-growing payment processors. Prior to that, she held senior strategic talent and HR leadership roles at Booking.com, contributing to their global expansion. Her mandate at Backbase includes modernizing people systems and building the leadership capability required to support the company’s mission of revolutionizing digital banking through AI.
Banqup Group appoints Wim Focquet as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Banqup Group (Belgium/Global, leading SaaS platform for e-invoicing and digital financial workflows) has appointed Wim Focquet as Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Executive Committee. In this role, Wim is responsible for leading the global HR organization, focusing on aligning culture with strategy, strengthening ownership, and attracting the talent necessary to support Banqup’s transition into a pure-play SaaS provider. Wim is a highly experienced HR leader and academic with over 25 years of experience in organizational transformation and leadership development. He joins from his role as Academic Director for HR and Talent Management at IE Business School in Madrid. His extensive corporate background includes serving as the Human Resources & CSR Director for DPD Belux and holding senior international HR leadership positions at TNT Express.
Achmea appoints Dick Eijgenraam as Group Director of Human Resources
(February, 2026)
Achmea (Netherlands, leading insurance provider) has appointed Dick Eijgenraam as Group Director of Human Resources (CHRO), effective February 1, 2026. He succeeds Wim Janssens, who held the position on an interim basis. Dick brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience, joining from Nationale-Nederlanden (NN Group), where he served as HR Director for the past three and a half years. His extensive background includes various senior HR executive roles at Ahold and an early career as an HR consultant at GITP. In his new role, he will oversee the group’s people strategy and organizational development.
The LEGO Group appoints Danielle van den Broek as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
The LEGO Group has appointed Danielle (Daan) van den Broek as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective April 1, 2026. In this role, she will join the Executive Leadership Team, reporting to CEO Niels B. Christiansen, and will oversee the company’s global “People, Places, and Culture” organization. Danielle joined the LEGO Group in early 2025 as Senior Vice President of Talent, having previously spent 27 years at Unilever in various international HR leadership roles, most recently as CHRO for Global Personal Care. A seasoned global executive, she succeeds Loren I. Shuster and will be responsible for driving the people strategy, culture, and organizational development for the Group’s 28,000+ employees worldwide.
Aer Lingus appoints Tara Flynn as Chief People Officer
(February, 2026)
Aer Lingus (Ireland, national airline and member of IAG) has appointed Tara Flynn as Chief People Officer. In this executive role, Tara leads the airline’s people and culture agenda, overseeing workforce strategy, industrial relations, and talent development to support Aer Lingus’ international growth across Europe and North America. She joins from Glen Dimplex, where she served as Group Chief People & IT Officer, leading enterprise-wide transformation and organizational modernization. Her extensive HR leadership background includes serving as Group HR Director at Coillte, Director at WTW (Willis Risk Services Ireland), and senior roles at Mercer, Scottish Provident, and Ulster Bank. Tara holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College Dublin and a diploma in Corporate Law & Governance from the Law Society of Ireland.
January 2026
CluePoints appoints Sinead Godkin as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
CluePoints (USA/Belgium, leading provider of AI-driven Risk-Based Quality Management software for clinical trials) has appointed Sinead Godkin as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). In this role, she will lead the company’s global people strategy and organizational evolution as it scales internationally, following a year of significant expansion in which the company recruited over 100 new team members. Sinead is a veteran HR executive with deep experience in scaling private equity-backed technology firms. She joins from DigiCert, where she served as CPO and oversaw enterprise-wide people transformation during periods of rapid acquisition and growth. Her prior leadership experience includes senior roles at Veritas Technologies and Symantec, where she developed expertise in managing complex, multinational workforce strategies.
Groupe Barrière appoints Charlotte Gauvin as Group HR Director
(January, 2026)
Groupe Barrière (France, luxury hotel and casino leader) has appointed Charlotte Gauvin as Group Human Resources Director. A specialist in human resources within the hospitality and retail sectors, she joins the group from LVMH, where she served as Human Resources Director for the iconic Samaritaine department store since 2019. Previously, she held senior HR leadership roles at Sephora and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. In her new capacity at Barrière, she will be responsible for overseeing the people strategy for the group’s 7,000 employees across its international network of casinos, luxury hotels, and restaurants, focusing on talent development and the modernization of the group’s HR organizational model.
Moventia appoints Josefa Solanilla as Corporate People Director
(January, 2026)
Moventia (Spain, international leader in sustainable mobility) has appointed Josefa Solanilla as Corporate People Director. Josefa is a bilingual C-Level executive with over 20 years of experience leading organizational strategy and international expansion across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S. She joins from Logisfashion, where she led people strategy for global logistics operations serving major lifestyle brands such as Inditex, H&M, and Ferragamo. A specialist in post-M&A integration and large-scale digital transformation, she is also a Senior Advisor and People & Talent Committee Director at Women in Retail (WiR), a professional network dedicated to advancing leadership and gender equity within the industry. In her new role, she is tasked with transforming HR into a strategic driver for Moventia’s global growth, focusing on human capital development and complex change management.
Barentz appoints Caroline van Nieuwkerk as Chief Human Resource Officer
(January, 2026)
Barentz (Netherlands/Global, life science ingredients distributor) has appointed Caroline van Nieuwkerk as Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO). In this newly created global role, Caroline leads the company’s People and Culture agenda, focusing on organizational development and large-scale transformation. She is a seasoned business leader with over 30 years of experience in commercial global organizations, joining from Royal Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group, where she served as CHRO for over six years. Her expertise spans M&A integration, leadership development, and change management, with a proven track record of building international HR teams in versatile, fast-paced environments.
dsm-firmenich appoints Nikeisha van Sleeuwen as Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
dsm-firmenich (Switzerland/Netherlands, innovator in nutrition, health, and beauty) has appointed Nikeisha (Nikki) van Sleeuwen as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective April 1, 2026. Reporting directly to CEO Dimitri de Vreeze, she joins the Executive Committee to succeed Mieke Van de Capelle, who is retiring. Nikki currently serves as the company’s SVP of Talent & Culture and Global Rewards and has spent nearly 20 years at the firm. A Jamaican-American national with extensive leadership experience in both the US and Europe, she previously served as SVP HR for the Animal Nutrition & Health business. She holds academic degrees from Ramapo College of New Jersey and Cornell ILR.
Ermenegildo Zegna Group appoints Alessandro Paparelli as Group Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Ermenegildo Zegna Group (Italy, global luxury group) has appointed Alessandro Paparelli as Group Chief People Officer. In this role, he leads the global people and organization strategy for the group’s three iconic brands—ZEGNA, Thom Browne, and Tom Ford Fashion. Alessandro is a highly distinguished HR executive in the luxury sector, joining from Kering, where he spent nine years as Regional HR Director for Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong. His extensive background also includes nearly a decade at Ferragamo, where he served as Group HR Director, and prior roles at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. His appointment is a key pillar of Zegna’s new 2026 leadership framework, focused on strengthening global integration and cultural transformation as the fourth generation of the Zegna family takes the helm.
Aleph Alpha appoints Lucie Prinz as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Aleph Alpha (Germany, industrial generative AI) has appointed Lucie Prinz as Chief People Officer (CPO), effective January 1, 2026. Lucie brings two decades of international experience in people, culture, and organizational leadership within complex, regulated, and high-change environments. She joins from Volocopter, where she also served as CPO. Throughout her career, she has led global organizations through rapid growth and transformation, focusing on building high-performing teams from blue-collar roles to the C-suite. At Aleph Alpha, she succeeds Benjamin Oppl, who has transitioned into the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
BioNTech appoints Kylie Jimenez to Management Board as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
BioNTech SE (Germany/Global, immunotherapy and biotechnology) has appointed Kylie Jimenez as Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Management Board, effective March 1, 2026. In this newly created board role, Kylie will lead BioNTech’s global people strategy as the company works toward becoming a multi-product oncology company by 2030. She joins from Georg Fischer, where she served as global Chief Human Resources Officer. Her 20-year career also includes executive HR roles at Toyota, and various leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson and General Mills. Based in Mainz, she will focus on scaling the organization, attracting top talent, and fostering an inclusive corporate culture.
Club Med appoints Bertrand Austruy as Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
Club Med (France/Global, premium all-inclusive vacations) has appointed Bertrand Austruy as Director General of Human Resources (CHRO). Reporting to CEO Henri Giscard d’Estaing and joining the leadership team under Stephane Maquaire, Bertrand will oversee the people strategy for 30,000 employees (G.Os and G.Es) across the brand’s global resorts. He joins from Ardabelle Capital, an impact fund he co-founded. Previously, he spent 20 years at Danone, where he held various senior executive roles, including General Secretary and member of the Executive Committee, working closely with former CEOs Antoine Riboud and Emmanuel Faber. His focus at Club Med is to strengthen the brand’s pioneering culture and human-centric values as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
CPM.Partners appoints Julia Sophia Sander as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
CPM.Partners (Switzerland/Global, Corporate Performance Management advisory) has appointed Julia Sophia Sander as Chief People Officer. Based in Zurich, she is responsible for leading the firm’s global people and culture agenda, focusing on talent strategy, HR transformation, and organizational development. Julia joins from Deloitte Switzerland, where she spent nearly five years in senior leadership roles, including Head of HR Operations and HR Technology & Transformation Manager. Her extensive background also includes HR roles at Bayer, The Adecco Group, and DSJ Global. She specializes in scaling HR operations and implementing international systems to support growth in the specialized advisory and solutions landscape.
HENSOLDT appoints Inka Tews as Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
HENSOLDT AG (Germany, global defense electronics and sensor solutions) has appointed Inka Tews as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective May 1, 2026. She joins the Executive Board with responsibility for the global HR organization, facility management, corporate security, and sustainability. Inka brings over 25 years of experience in human resources at international technology firms, most recently as Senior Vice President of HR at Infineon Technologies. She succeeds Lars Immisch, who is stepping down for health reasons. Her expertise in post-merger integration and organizational development will be central to HENSOLDT’s current phase of rapid international scaling and growth.
Huhtamaki appoints Katariina Kravi as Chief People & Culture Officer
(January, 2026)
Huhtamaki (Finland/Global, sustainable packaging solutions) has appointed Katariina Kravi as Chief People & Culture Officer and member of the Global Executive Team, effective January 1, 2026. Katariina is a seasoned HR executive with over 25 years of experience in global industrial and technology sectors. She joins from Stora Enso, where she served as Executive Vice President of People & Communications for five years. Her extensive career also includes seven years as EVP of HR at Tieto Oyj and 15 years in various HR leadership roles at Nokia. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board at Elisa Oyj and holds an LL.M. degree. At Huhtamaki, she will focus on strengthening the organization’s culture and talent development as part of its 2030 growth strategy.
idverde appoints Lionel Beylier as Group Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
idverde (France/Global, leader in green environmental services) has appointed Lionel Beylier to the newly created role of Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and member of the Group Executive Committee. Lionel brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience within fast-growing global organizations, including Holcim, Ingenico, Worldline, HP, and Schneider Electric. He has a specialized track record in organizational transformation and M&A integration across Europe and Asia. In his new role, he will partner with Group CEO Francois Gilbart to lead the people strategy for idverde’s 10,000 employees, focusing on leadership, culture, and talent development to support the company’s continued European consolidation.
ITA Airways appoints Mario De Gennaro as Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
ITA Airways (Italy, national flag carrier) has appointed Mario De Gennaro as Chief Human Resources Officer. A seasoned executive with over 30 years of international experience, Mario joins the airline during a pivotal period of integration and growth. He most recently served as Chief HR & Legal Officer at Natuzzi. His extensive leadership background includes senior roles such as SVP HR, IT & Legal at Seda International Packaging Group, Managing Director & CHRO at Cementir Holding, and several years in regional HR leadership at Unilever. At ITA Airways, he will be responsible for overseeing the people strategy, industrial relations, and organizational development as the carrier continues to expand its global footprint and workforce.
Kemira appoints Ulrika Dunker as EVP People & Culture
(January, 2026)
Kemira Oyj (Finland/Global, sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries) has appointed Ulrika Dunker as Executive Vice President, People & Culture, and a member of the Group Leadership Team, effective January 1, 2026. Reporting to President and CEO Antti Salminen, she succeeds Eeva Salonen, who retired at the end of 2025 after more than 15 years in the role. Ulrika joins from Alleima, where she served as EVP HR and a member of the Executive Management Team. Her extensive HR leadership background includes senior roles at Ramirent, Sandvik, and the Stockholm Opera, with a strong focus on organizational transformation and cultural development.
Laing O’Rourke appoints Wayne Davies as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Laing O’Rourke (United Kingdom/Global, international engineering and construction) has appointed Wayne Davies as Chief People Officer, effective January 12, 2026. In this group-wide role, he joins the Group Executive Committee to lead the company’s global people strategy, focusing on talent pipeline development, inclusion, and organizational transformation. Wayne brings an extensive international background across manufacturing, aviation, and infrastructure, including a 15-year tenure with General Electric in various global HR leadership roles. He previously served as head of HR for Emirates Airline, led HR for a major Middle Eastern Giga project, and most recently served as CHRO for a private equity-backed services firm.
Nordic Capital appoints Grant Eldred as Partner and Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
Nordic Capital Advisors (Sweden/Global, international private equity investor) has appointed Grant Eldred as Partner and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in London, Grant will be responsible for shaping and driving the firm’s global people strategy, ensuring alignment between talent, culture, and organizational performance. He joins from Rokos Capital Management, where he served as Partner and Head of People. With over 20 years of experience in financial and professional services, his background includes serving as Chief People Officer at Clifford Chance and spending 15 years at Goldman Sachs in senior roles such as Global Head of HR Transformation.
Oakley Capital appoints Kerry Heaton as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Oakley Capital (United Kingdom/Global, pan-European private equity investor) has appointed Kerry Heaton as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). Kerry will lead the firm’s people strategy across its European offices and portfolio, focusing on leadership capability, talent architecture, and culture. She joins from Hg, where she served as CPO for nearly four years, leading the people strategy for one of Europe’s most active software and services investors. Her extensive background includes over 15 years at HSBC in senior global roles, such as Global Head of Executive Talent and Global Head of Learning & Talent Development. Additionally, Kerry serves on the Parliamentary Steering Committee for Modernising Employment (MODE APPG) and is a founding member of Nexus.
Ørsted appoints Simon Ashley as Chief HR Officer
(January, 2026)
Ørsted (Denmark/Global, world leader in offshore wind) has appointed Simon Ashley as its next Chief HR Officer (CHRO) and member of the Group Executive Team, effective August 1, 2026. He will succeed Henriette Fenger Ellekrog, who is concluding her executive career. Simon is an experienced global HR leader who currently serves as Ørsted’s Head of Global HR Business Partnering. He joined Ørsted in 2021 from Shell, where he spent over 15 years in senior international HR roles, including leadership positions based in London, Singapore, and the Netherlands. His expertise lies in driving organizational performance and culture in large-scale energy and infrastructure businesses.
OVO Energy appoints Tom Whittle as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
OVO Energy (United Kingdom, leading energy technology company) has appointed Tom Whittle as Chief People Officer, effective January 5, 2026. In this role, Tom leads OVO’s people strategy, organizational transformation, and digital HR agenda, supporting the company’s “Plan Zero” sustainability mission. He joins from HSBC, where he spent nearly a decade in senior global leadership roles, most recently as Managing Director, COO – People Governance & Communications. His background at HSBC also includes serving as Global Head of HR for Finance and Wholesale operations. Previously, Tom spent several years at Deloitte, where he specialized in HR strategy and operating model transformation for global clients across the pharmaceutical and financial sectors.
RELEX Solutions appoints Lotta Vuoristo as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
RELEX Solutions (Finland/Global, AI-powered supply chain and retail planning platform) has appointed Lotta Vuoristo as Chief People Officer. Based in Helsinki, she will lead the company’s global people strategy, culture, and organizational transformation as it continues its rapid international expansion. She joins from Rovio Entertainment, where she served as Chief People Officer, leading global people and communications strategy. Her extensive background includes leadership roles at KONE, where she served as Head of Culture Journey and spearheaded large-scale global change management initiatives. Lotta holds a Ph.D. from the Hanken School of Economics and brings a unique blend of academic rigor and corporate transformation expertise.
Sana Kliniken appoints Dr. Ralph Wiechers as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Sana Kliniken AG (Germany, leading integrated healthcare provider) has appointed Dr. Ralph Wiechers as Chief People Officer (CPO) and Labor Director, effective January 1, 2026. In this role, he joins the Executive Board and is responsible for the people strategy, labor relations, and HR operations for more than 40,000 employees. He succeeds Konstanze Marinoff and is tasked with advancing the largest HR transformation in the German healthcare sector, focusing on digitalization and data-driven HR platforms. Dr. Wiechers joins from DHL Group, where he spent 15 years in senior leadership, most recently as Executive Vice President, Head of Global People Operations. His previous experience includes tenure at McKinsey & Company and co-founding NOHETO! GmbH. He holds a doctorate in Economics and Business Science.
Sanoma appoints Kaisa Aalto-Luoto as Chief Human Resources Officer
(January, 2026)
Sanoma Oyj (Finland/Europe, innovative learning and media group) has appointed Kaisa Aalto-Luoto as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective no later than July 1, 2026. This appointment marks a return to the company for Kaisa, who previously served as CHRO for Sanoma Media Finland. She joins from Finnair, where she has held the position of CHRO since October 2023. Her extensive leadership background also includes senior HR roles at Outotec and Mandatum Life. Based in Helsinki, she succeeds Jelena Šutić, who is leaving to pursue a career in executive advisory. At Sanoma, Kaisa will oversee the people strategy for an organization of nearly 5,000 professionals across Europe.
S-Bank appoints Anu Nurro as EVP Human Resources
(January, 2026)
S-Bank Plc (Finland, banking and financial services) has appointed Anu Nurro (MA) as Executive Vice President, Human Resources, and a member of the Group Management Team, effective March 1, 2026. Anu brings extensive HR leadership experience from the retail and logistics sectors, joining from Posti Group, where she served as Vice President of HR. She previously held various HR leadership roles at SOK (S Group). At S-Bank, she will lead the people strategy and organizational development during a period of digital transformation and growth for the bank.
Swissport International AG appoints Toygan Pulat as Chief People Officer
(January 12, 2026)
Swissport International AG (Switzerland/Global, world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling) has appointed Toygan Pulat as Chief People Officer, reporting directly to CEO Warwick Brady. Toygan brings over 25 years of global HR leadership experience to the role. She joins from Beko, where she was Chief People Officer, overseeing a workforce of 50,000 employees across 58 countries and leading significant cultural and talent transformations. Her impressive career also includes leadership roles at major multinationals such as Diageo, Coty, Avon, and Carlsberg, with experience spanning the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East/Africa, and the Americas. An Industrial Engineer by training with an MBA and advanced HR studies from Canada, Toygan is tasked with strengthening Swissport’s talent ecosystem during its next phase of global operational excellence.
Tinexta Group appoints Maria Grazia Bizzarri as Group Chief Human Resources and Organization Officer
(January, 2026)
Tinexta Group (Italy, leading industrial group in Digital Trust, Cybersecurity, and Business Innovation) has appointed Maria Grazia Bizzarri as Group Chief Human Resources and Organization Officer. Maria Grazia is a seasoned HR leader with extensive experience in driving digital transformation within high-tech and innovative environments. She joins from Italiaonline, where she served as CHRO for over four years. Her previous career milestones include leadership roles at Nexi (Director of People Development, Reward & Change Management), EY (L&D Director for Southern Europe), and a 13-year tenure at Vodafone culminating as Head of HR Commercial. Beyond her corporate roles, she is a Senior Career Advisor at Luiss Business School and a committed advocate for female empowerment through Women&Tech.
Vertical Aerospace appoints Ollie Roberts as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Vertical Aerospace (United Kingdom, global pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft) has appointed Ollie Roberts as Chief People Officer (CPO). In this role, Ollie leads the company’s global people strategy, focusing on organizational design, talent development, and culture as Vertical advances toward aircraft certification and commercial operations. Ollie is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in human resources and large-scale transformation. He joins from BMI Group, where he served as both Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Transformation Officer. His career also includes senior global leadership roles at AB InBev, SAB Miller, and the global real estate firm DTZ.
Vestacy appoints Raquel Carneiro as Chief People Officer
(January 9, 2026)
Vestacy (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Global, home and hygiene products company) has appointed Raquel Carneiro as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). In this role, she leads the global people and culture agenda across more than 20 countries, steering organizational transformation and talent strategy following the company’s carve-out from Reckitt. Raquel is an accomplished HR executive with 25 years of experience in multinational settings. She joins from Reckitt, where she most recently served as CHRO for the Essential Home portfolio, managing the complex M&A integration and change management for the business’s transition to Advent International ownership. Her career includes significant leadership roles at Fonterra, where she managed strategy for 11,000 employees across 25+ countries, as well as positions at Arezzo&Co, Noble Group SA, and AB InBev
Watson Farley & Williams appoints Vicky Twibell as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) (United Kingdom/Global, international law firm specializing in energy, infrastructure, and transport) has appointed Vicky Twibell as Chief People Officer. Based in London, Vicky leads the firm’s global people strategy, overseeing talent management, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness across its international network. A seasoned HR leader with over 25 years of experience in the legal sector, she joins from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), where she was Global Director of HR Business Partnering. Her extensive pedigree includes a seven-year tenure at Linklaters as Head of HR for London, as well as senior leadership roles at Allen & Overy (Head of HR, Global Banking) and Herbert Smith Freehills. She began her career at Baker McKenzie and Marks & Spencer, building a reputation for strengthening leadership alignment and performance frameworks in complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.
Aerzen Maschinenfabrik appoints Patrick Goedden as Global Head of HR
(January, 2026)
Aerzener Maschinenfabrik (Germany, global manufacturer of high-performance blowers and compressors) has appointed Patrick Goedden as Global Head of Human Resources. In his new role, Patrick will focus on the company’s internationalization and sustainable long-term people development. He joins from Eberspächer Group, where he spent nearly eight years in senior HR leadership, working closely with the board to navigate major transformations, including the automotive shift and the COVID-19 pandemic. With extensive experience in globally operating, family-owned businesses, he specializes in strengthening HR functions and corporate value systems during periods of crisis and growth.
December 2025
The Adecco Group appoints Majda Vincent as CHRO & Group SVP HR
(December, 2025)
The Adecco Group (Switzerland/Global, talent advisory and solutions) has appointed Majda Vincent as Adecco CHRO and Group SVP HR. Majda is an experienced leader with over 20 years of experience in operational and HR leadership within complex international environments. She joins from Sodexo, where she served as CHRO for France and Europe, as well as Global EVP Lead. Her extensive background includes nearly 15 years at IKEA, where she held diverse roles ranging from HR Country Manager to Store Manager and Head of E-commerce. A specialist in organizational transformation and leadership, she is also the founder of the podcast “Hors Cadre RH” and the movement “Élan.”
GETEC appoints Dr. Alexander Jawad as Chief Human Resources Officer
(December, 2025)
GETEC Group (Germany, sustainable energy solutions) has appointed Dr. Alexander Jawad as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and member of the Executive Committee, effective December 1, 2025. Reporting to CEO Pierre-Alain Graf, Dr. Jawad will lead GETEC’s pan-European people strategy, focusing on talent management and cultural transformation to support the company’s growth. He brings extensive international experience from senior HR roles at IKEA and Johnson Controls. He holds a strong academic background in labour law and an MBA, making him a specialist in navigating complex organizational and regulatory environments.
M.J. Eriksson appoints Thomas Thorsøe as HR Director
(December, 2025)
M.J. Eriksson A/S (Denmark’s largest earthworks and civil engineering contractor) has appointed Thomas Thorsøe as HR Director, overseeing HR, Communications, and Occupational Health & Safety. Thomas joins with the ambition to modernize MJE’s organizational structure through a strong leadership culture and targeted employer branding. His focus will be supporting the company’s growth by strengthening recruitment, leadership development, and a robust safety culture. He aims to position MJE as a highly visible and attractive workplace for future generations, centering on professional pride and cross-organizational cohesion.
Sapiens appoints Dr. Ernesto Marinelli as Chief People Success Officer
(December, 2025)
Sapiens International Corporation (Germany, software solutions for the insurance industry) has appointed Dr. Ernesto Marinelli as Chief People Success Officer. Ernesto is a global executive with a 30-year career focused on driving high-impact transformations across sales, product, and development organizations. He joins from Aareon (an Advent-backed company), where he served as Chief People Officer. His extensive background also includes serving as Senior Vice President and Head of Global People Success Services at SAP. Combining digital fluency with commercial acumen, he specializes in building scalable, people-first strategies to fuel growth in technology-driven sectors. He holds a PhD in German Linguistics from the University of Würzburg.
SULO Group appoints Carine Escribe as Group CHRO
(December, 2025)
SULO Group (France/Global, circular economy and waste management) has appointed Carine Escribe as Group Chief Human Resources Officer. In her new role, she also oversees Internal Communication, Health & Safety (H&S), and ESG strategy. Carine joins the group’s Global Executive Committee during a period of significant leadership transition and international expansion, including the recent appointment of Thierry Koskas as President. She brings over 24 years of experience from Engie, where she held various senior HR leadership and transformation roles. Her focus at SULO is to guide the organization through its next stage of development, supporting its mission to turn waste into sustainable resources for cities and communities.
WS Audiology appoints Asger Bjerre as Chief People Officer
(December, 2025)
WS Audiology (Denmark, hearing healthcare) has appointed Asger Bjerre as Chief People Officer and member of the management team, effective December 1, 2025. He succeeds Nicolai Jensen, who is stepping down after ten years with the company. Asger joins from Becton Dickinson & Company (BD), where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Culture and Talent. With a strong track record in driving global organizational culture and talent development, he will lead the group’s people strategy as it continues to innovate in the hearing healthcare sector.
November 2025
Akuo appoints Caroline Roynette Benoit as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
Akuo (France, global independent producer of renewable energy) has appointed Caroline Roynette Benoit as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Joining during a transformational period following the group’s acquisition by Ardian, Caroline will drive the people strategy to support Akuo’s ambitious growth targets, including its goal to reach 5 GW of capacity by 2030. She brings over 25 years of experience in international HR leadership, most recently serving as Chief People Officer at Albioma (a KKR portfolio company). Her extensive background includes leadership roles at Sulzer, where she was Global Head of HR for the Water and Industry unit, as well as senior positions at Hutchinson and General Electric. She specializes in M&A integration, organizational redesign, and leadership development in complex, multicultural environments. She is an alumna of Université Paris Dauphine and Université Panthéon Sorbonne.
ROSEN appoints Alice Heezen-Dokianos as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
ROSEN (Global/Switzerland, technology-enabled asset integrity solutions) appoints Alice Heezen-Dokianos as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in Zurich, Alice joins the executive team at a pivotal time as the company accelerates its transformation agenda across its 4,000-strong global workforce. She is a seasoned HR executive with over three decades of experience leading large-scale organizational redesigns and cultural reinvention. She joins from Synthomer, where she served as CHRO, and previously held the same role at Trinseo, where she specialized in executive architecture and DEI evolution during major global acquisitions. Her extensive background also includes leadership positions at ADAMA Ltd., Fiberweb, BG Group, Rexam, and Korn Ferry (Hay Group).
ZEDRA welcomes Aoife Habben as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
ZEDRA (Global, corporate services, wealth, and fund solutions) has appointed Aoife Habben as Chief People Officer. Joining at a pivotal time of global expansion, Aoife will drive the people agenda and nurture an inclusive, high-performing culture across the firm’s international offices. She brings over 20 years of experience in high-growth environments, having previously held senior HR leadership roles at Amazon and GE. Most recently, she served as a senior HR leader at a private equity-backed fintech firm. Currently based in London, she will relocate to ZEDRA’s Jersey office in early 2026. Her appointment follows a series of strategic additions to the Executive Committee aimed at supporting long-term sustainable growth.
Brenntag appoints Francis Bracke-Schröder as Chief HR Officer
(November, 2025)
Brenntag (Germany, chemicals and ingredients distribution) has appointed Francis Bracke-Schröder as Chief HR Officer (CHRO). Francis joins the group with extensive experience in human resources and organizational transformation across several global sectors. Most recently, she held leadership roles at AkzoNobel, where she focused on preparing for high-level HR responsibilities. Her career highlights include managing the integration of TNT colleagues into FedEx, as well as previous management and HR roles at Philips and Bluewater Engineering. Known for her expertise in integration strategy, change management, and talent acquisition, she originally transitioned into HR from a background in psychology, building a career defined by leading teams through complex hypergrowth and organizational shifts.
Brooks Macdonald appoints Andy Robinson as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
Brooks Macdonald (UK, investment management) appoints Andy Robinson as Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Executive Committee. Reporting directly to CEO Andrea Montague, Andy will oversee all aspects of the firm’s people strategy—including talent, culture, and organizational capability—to support the “Reignite Growth” strategy. He brings over 30 years of global human capital leadership experience, joining from Alantra, where he served as Global Head of Human Capital. His previous executive roles include Head of HR at Jupiter Asset Management, Henderson Global Investors, and UniCredit, as well as early career experience at GSK.
Dipharma Francis S.r.l. appoints Barbara Lorenzin as Global Head of People & Culture
(November, 2025)
Dipharma Francis S.r.l. (Italy, global pharmaceutical CDMO) appoints Barbara Lorenzin as Global Head of People & Culture. Based in Baranzate, Barbara will oversee HR and cultural transformation initiatives across the company’s international operations, driving talent development, organizational alignment, and a high-performance culture to support global expansion. She brings extensive leadership experience, including a 14-year tenure at Eigenmann & Veronelli Group as Human Resources Director. Her previous career highlights include nearly seven years at Prysmian in corporate training and European HR leadership roles, and nine years at Pirelli Tyres managing recruitment and training structures for the European market.
North Star appoints Duncan Palmer as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
North Star (UK, offshore energy and marine services) appoints Duncan Palmer as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in Aberdeen, Duncan joins the leadership team to strengthen the company’s presence in offshore energy and renewables through talent development, organizational transformation, and culture building. He brings extensive energy-sector experience, having previously served as Regional HR Manager (Europe & Africa) at Borr Drilling. His career also includes roles as HR Director at Sodexo (Energy and Resources), Head of HR – Asset Solutions at Petrofac, and seven years at Prosafe, where he was People & Organisation Director. His background spans global HR operations across the UK, Brazil, Norway, and Singapore.
Vodafone appoints Ruth McGill as Chief HR Officer
(November, 2025)
Vodafone (UK/Global, telecommunications and technology) has appointed Ruth McGill as Chief HR Officer and a member of the Group Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2026. She officially joined the company as Chief HR Officer Designate on November 1, 2025. Reporting to CEO Margherita Della Valle, Ruth will lead the global HR strategy as Vodafone focuses on organizational simplification and sustainable growth. She brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources and change management, joining from ING, where she spent five years as CHRO. Her previous experience includes a decade at Standard Chartered Bank in senior leadership roles, and earlier career positions at Norton Healthcare and GSK.
Omring appoints Liesbeth Filippini as HR Director
(November, 2025)
Omring (Netherlands, healthcare provider for the elderly and chronically ill) has appointed Liesbeth Filippini as HR Director. Based in North Holland, Liesbeth is responsible for leading an HR department of over 80 employees, driving human and organizational development across home care, residential centers, and specialized healthcare services. She is a strategic HR generalist with an A&O (Work and Organizational) Psychology background, specializing in change management and “Rijnlands” organizational principles—a philosophy focused on craftsmanship and human values. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Waternet (Head of People & Organization), M&G Group (Group HR Director), and ViVa! Zorggroep (CHRO), with expertise spanning M&A integration, talent management, and strategic personnel planning.
Outokumpu appoints Anouk de Graaf as EVP – People, Sustainability & Corporate Relations
(November, 2026)
Outokumpu (Finland, global leader in sustainable stainless steel) appoints Anouk de Graaf as Executive Vice President – People, Sustainability & Corporate Relations and a member of the Leadership Team. Effective February 1, 2026, Anouk will be based in the Netherlands and report to CEO Kati ter Horst. She will be instrumental in executing the company’s “EVOLVE” strategy, focusing on strategic human resources and change management to support transformation and growth. She joins Outokumpu from Borealis, where she served as Vice President, Global People and Culture Business Partners. Her extensive international career also includes senior HR leadership and management roles at DSM and Philips. She holds an MBA and is recognized as a business-driven leader with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Legal & General appoints Emma Holden as Chief People Officer
(January, 2026)
Legal & General (UK, financial services and asset management) appoints Emma Holden as Chief People Officer (CPO), reporting to CEO António Simões. Emma will lead the Group’s people strategy, ensuring the company has the capabilities and culture to support its growth strategy as a “simpler and better-connected business.” She brings almost two decades of senior people leadership experience, joining from Man Group, where she also served as CPO. Prior to that, she spent 17 years at Schroders in various leadership positions across HR, Communications, and Investor Relations. Her appointment, effective at the end of January 2026, is subject to regulatory approval.
Peli BioThermal appoints John Tobin as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
Peli BioThermal (US/Global, temperature-controlled logistics for life sciences) appoints John Tobin to the newly created role of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in Leighton Buzzard, UK, John joins the Executive Leadership Team with responsibility for global people strategy, leadership development, and organizational scalability. He brings over 20 years of international experience in building high-performing organizations across the logistics, technology, and data sectors. Prior to joining Peli BioThermal, he led global HR and change programs for workforces of over 3,000 employees, focusing on strengthening organizational capability and elevating employee experience. His appointment is aimed at supporting the company’s next phase of global expansion and transformation.
Novo Holdings appoints Helle Bach as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
Novo Holdings (Denmark, global life sciences investment firm) appoints Helle Bach as Chief People Officer (CPO), effective November 1, 2025. Helle joins the Executive Leadership Team and will oversee talent strategy, recruitment, and HR functions across the firm’s seven offices in Europe, North America, and Asia. She brings over 20 years of experience in human resources, joining from DSV, where she served as Executive Vice President, Group HR. Her prior experience includes serving as Vice President, Corporate HR at Egmont International Holding. Throughout her career, she has specialized in building scalable global talent attraction strategies and implementing international leadership training programs to support rapid organizational growth.
SmartStream appoints Jane Christopher as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
SmartStream (UK/Global, financial data and transaction solutions) has appointed Jane Christopher as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Reporting directly to CEO Akber Jaffer, Jane leads the global HR function with a focus on employee engagement, leadership development, and scaling a high-performance culture. She brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, joining from Cloud Software Group (Citrix), where she served as Senior Director of HR Business Partnering for EMEA and APJ. Her career also includes strategic HR leadership roles at Panduit Europe Ltd and Fiserv. She is an MCIPD qualified professional with a degree in Human Resource Management from the University of West London, specializing in organizational transformation and the alignment of people strategy with technological innovation.
Trio Mobil appoints Sinem Unal Aveleira as Head of People
(November, 2025)
Trio Mobil (UK/Global, AI and IoT-based industrial safety solutions) has appointed Sinem Unal Aveleira as Head of People. Based in London, Sinem leads the global people strategy, culture transformation, and leadership development as the company expands across 65 countries. She joins from Pisano, where she served as Chief of Staff and Director of People and Culture. Her extensive background includes senior roles at Accenture UK & Ireland, where she was the UK Performance Achievement Lead for Human Capital & Diversity, and PwC Turkey. She is also the founder of Evermind Human, a talent consultancy. Sinem holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi and is a certified practitioner in UK Employment Law (CIPD) and gender diversity (INSEAD).
Jifmar Group appoints Colin Rushton as Group HR Director
(November, 2025)
Jifmar Group (France, marine services and offshore solutions) appoints Colin Rushton as Group HR Director. Based in France, Colin is responsible for Strategic Human Resources across both shore-based and crew operations, overseeing organization, processes, tools, and HR policy. He joins the group from North Star Shipping Ltd, where he served as Head of HR. With a demonstrated history in the oil & energy industry, Colin brings specialized skills in technical recruiting, sourcing, and relationship building. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Aberdeen, providing a strong regulatory and legal foundation for his HR leadership.
MGM Muthu Group appoints Prashant Khullar as Group CHRO
(November, 2025)
MGM Muthu Group (Global/Portugal, leisure and hospitality) appoints Prashant Khullar as Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in Portugal, Prashant will work with the leadership team to expand the business globally and enhance customer experience through human capital strategy. He joins from BLS International, where he also served as Group CHRO. With a deep background in the hospitality and service sectors, his previous experience includes leadership roles at Ecom Express, Max Life Insurance, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts, The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Hyatt Hotels, and ITC Hotels. He holds an MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of West London.
Nokia appoints Kristen Pressner as Chief People Officer and member of the Group Leadership Team
(November, 2025)
Nokia (Finland, global B2B technology and network innovation) appoints Kristen Pressner as Chief People Officer and member of the Group Leadership Team, effective May 1, 2026. Based in Finland and reporting to CEO Justin Hotard, Kristen will lead Nokia’s cultural evolution toward an AI-empowered, customer-first organization. She brings over 30 years of international HR experience, joining from Roche Holding Group, where she most recently served as Global Head of People & Culture for Roche Diagnostics. Her career also includes nearly a decade at Texas Instruments, where she held various HR leadership roles focused on culture and capability transformation. She is a recognized advocate for inclusive leadership and holds an MBA from the University of Dallas.
Dynatrace appoints Michael Rogers as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
Dynatrace (US/Global, AI-powered observability) appoints Michael Rogers as Chief People Officer. Michael will lead the company’s global people and culture agenda, focusing on strengthening leadership capability, driving innovation through inclusion, and advancing the company’s mission of enabling digital ecosystems. He joins Dynatrace from Alight Solutions, where he served as Chief Human Resources Officer and led large-scale organizational transformation. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles at NGA Human Resources, Vistaprint, Travelocity, and Cisco, where he specialized in scaling global teams and embedding purpose-driven leadership practices.
Exotec appoints Renata Spada as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
Exotec (France, global warehouse robotics) appoints Renata Spada as Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Executive Committee. Renata joins Exotec at a pivotal moment of global expansion, with a focus on international cultural growth, talent attraction, and aligning individual development with business performance. She brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and a decade in Finance and Legal. Most recently, she served as Group Vice President for Talent Acquisition, Employer Branding, and Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer at Engie, where she led a major cultural transformation through the “Fifty-Fifty” gender parity initiative. Her career also includes leadership roles at Snap-on Tools, EDF, Lafarge, and Price Waterhouse.
Greenyard appoints Rob Nijskens as Chief Human Resources Officer
(November, 2025)
Greenyard (Belgium, global fruit and vegetable supplier) appoints Rob Nijskens as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Rob is a business-oriented HR leader with extensive international, multi-site experience in organizational development and change management. He has a proven track record of translating business strategy into HR priorities, specifically in international restructuring, M&A projects, and footprint optimization. Before joining Greenyard, he held several senior leadership roles where he specialized in managing industrial labor relations, stakeholder engagement, and HRIS implementation. He is recognized for his “hands-on” operational approach and his expertise in aligning human capital with corporate strategic goals.
Orisha appoints François Guyeux as Chief People & Culture Officer
(November, 2025)
Orisha (France, European vertical software publisher) appoints François Guyeux as Chief People & Culture Officer, joining the Executive Committee and succeeding Sylvie Lévénès. Based in Paris, François will focus on continuing the human and cultural momentum to support sustainable growth across Europe. He brings over 20 years of experience from leading technology companies such as SAP, Adobe, eFront, and Rimes, where he successfully led organizational and cultural transformations in high-growth, private-equity-backed international environments. His roadmap includes aligning HR strategy with business performance, strengthening cohesion, and promoting a shared culture of responsibility and collective innovation.
John Lewis Partnership appoints Helen Webb OBE as Chief People Officer
(November, 2025)
The John Lewis Partnership (UK, retail/employee-owned) appoints Helen Webb OBE as Chief People Officer (CPO), joining the Executive Team. Helen brings significant experience in people leadership and organizational development, having spent 30 years in senior people roles across retail and other sectors. She was most recently Chief People Officer at WHSmith and prior to that was Chief People & Services Officer for the Co-op. She also held senior positions at Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer, and will be instrumental in shaping the Partnership’s people strategy and driving talent development.
Alleima appoints Maria Reinholdsson as EVP and Head of Human Resources
(November, 2026)
Alleima (Sweden, global manufacturer of advanced stainless steels and special alloys) appoints Maria Reinholdsson as Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources, effective March 2, 2026. Maria will join the Group Executive Management team and be based in Stockholm, where she will focus on elevating the company’s people and culture initiatives to support its ongoing growth journey. She brings many years of leadership experience across various industries, currently serving as Head of Human Resources and Sustainability at Stockholm Exergi and having previously held the role of Head of Human Resources and Communications at LKAB. She succeeds Ulrika Dunker, who is leaving the position after six years.
Yoto appoints Emma Ferguson as Head of People
(November, 2025)
Yoto (UK, interactive audio platform for children) has appointed Emma Ferguson ACIPD as Head of People. In her new role, Emma will oversee the people function, focusing on talent strategy and culture to support Yoto’s mission of empowering children through play. She joins from Future Anthem, where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer, driving business transformation and fostering inclusive workplace environments. Her extensive HR background includes strategic leadership at UK Creative Services Limited and a role as HR Business Partner at Fledglink. Emma’s early career foundations were built at OC&C Strategy Consultants and Hay Group. She holds a CIPD Level 7 in Human Resources Management and is currently furthering her education at Avado.
October 2025
Oriola appoints Maria Lundell as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Oriola Corporation (Finland, pharmaceutical and health product wholesale) appoints Maria Lundell as Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Oriola Management Team, effective November 1, 2025. Maria will contribute to shaping a sustainable, values-driven culture and aligning company strategy with leadership development as Oriola continues its strategic transformation. She previously worked as Executive Vice President, People and Culture at Blastr Green Steel and Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Stora Enso Paper. Her career also includes senior HR roles at Nasdaq OMX Nordic exchange and L’Oréal Finland Oy, demonstrating a proven track record in change management and organizational development.
L.RAPHAEL appoints Patricia Lajara de Camilleri as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
L.RAPHAEL (Switzerland, luxury skincare and wellness) has appointed Patricia Lajara de Camilleri as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Patricia is a global executive with 20 years of experience across the luxury, retail, and hospitality sectors. She joins from Ralph Lauren, where she served as Vice President of People (EMEA), overseeing a period of significant growth including the opening of over 100 stores and a revenue increase to $2.2 billion. Fluent in four languages and having lived in five countries, she specializes in aligning people strategy with commercial ambition and leading organizational transformation. She is a recognized thought leader in high-performance culture and serves as a board advisor to global lifestyle brands.
Kalmar appoints Hanna Reijonen as Senior Vice President, Human Resources
(October, 2025)
Kalmar Corporation (Finland) appoints Hanna Reijonen as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and member of the Kalmar Leadership Team, reporting to President & CEO Sami Niiranen. Hanna will lead the company’s global HR strategy and operations, focusing on talent acquisition, development, compensation, and employee engagement. She brings extensive HR leadership experience from Enersense International and a track record of driving transformational, growth-oriented initiatives in complex environments.
Metro Bank appoints Rachel Duncan as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Metro Bank (UK, banking/financial services) appoints Rachel Duncan as Chief People Officer (CPO). Rachel is responsible for all aspects of the People function, focusing on developing diverse talent and capability to build on the bank’s unique culture and inspiring colleagues to deliver a brilliant customer experience. She joined Metro Bank from Experian, where she served as Chief People Officer for the UK and Ireland business and later Group Reward Director. She also held Global Business Partnering roles at Barclays and Linklaters.
MAX Burgers appoints Katarina Lönnelid Ahlquist as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
MAX Burgers (Sweden, fast-food/restaurant chain) appoints Katarina Lönnelid Ahlquist as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), based in Stockholm. Katarina will lead the company’s global people agenda, focusing on workforce transformation, leadership development, and organizational capability as the company continues its international expansion. An accomplished HR leader with nearly three decades of diverse experience, she previously founded and led the people advisory firm EnablHR and held senior roles at Saab (Vice President, Global Talent Manager) and Ahlsell Sverige AB, bringing a rich blend of expertise in talent strategy and HR transformation.
Linnworks appoints Sophie Allison as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Linnworks (UK, global eCommerce automation platform) appoints Sophie Allison as its new Chief People Officer (CPO), based in London. Sophie will oversee global people operations, culture development, and talent strategy as the company scales its international footprint. She brings over a decade of experience scaling people functions in high-growth technology and investor-backed environments. Prior to Linnworks, Sophie spent over five years at Bark.com as HR Director, where she architected and scaled the entire People & Talent function from 43 to over 250 employees across 12 countries.
Novuna appoints Zarina Ward as Group Chief HR Officer
(October, 2025)
Novuna (UK, financial services) appoints Zarina Ward as Group Chief HR Officer (CHRO), based at the company’s headquarters in Staines. Zarina will lead the people function across Novuna’s business divisions and pan-European operations, with a remit covering talent, culture, organizational development, and employee experience. She joins Novuna from Verian Group (formerly Kantar Public), where she served as Global Chief People Officer, overseeing functions across 23 countries and being instrumental in extensive business transformation post divestment. Zarina brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic HR leader across professional services, consulting, and private equity sectors, having also held senior roles at MindGym and Oliver Wyman Group.
ITM appoints Annette Breunig as Chief People Officer
(October 2025)
ITM (Germany, pharmaceutical/radiopharma) appoints Annette Breunig as Chief People Officer (CPO) to lead its HR function. Annette will shape strategies that unify the company to achieve growth objectives while empowering employees, strengthening company culture, and attracting top talent. She brings over 25 years of HR leadership experience supporting top-performing teams and creating dynamic work environments at global companies including Infios Group, Siemens AG, Sanofi-Aventis, and Körber Pharma.
National Bank of Greece appoints Mirka Nemfakou as Group Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
National Bank of Greece (NBG) (Greece, financial services) appoints Mirka Nemfakou as Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Mirka brings more than 20 years of international experience in HR, specializing in leading large-scale transformation, organizational effectiveness, and cultural evolution across complex and highly regulated environments. Before joining NBG, she held senior HR leadership roles at adidas, most recently as Senior Director Human Resources Europe Retail & Franchise, and previously held positions with Coca-Cola HBC, KPMG, and Avon Cosmetics.
Crédit Agricole S.A. appoints Anne-Catherine Ropers as Group Head of Human Resources
(October, 2025)
Crédit Agricole S.A. (France) appoints Anne-Catherine Ropers as Group Head of Human Resources, based in Paris. She joins the Executive Committee and will lead the Transformation, Human Resources and Transitions division, driving HR strategy across the group. Anne-Catherine brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience across Société Générale and Crédit Agricole CIB, with a strong focus on global talent and organizational transformation.
Coats appoints Megan Giannini as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Coats (UK, global industrial thread and components manufacturer) welcomes Megan Giannini as its new Chief People Officer (CPO), starting from November 1, 2025. Megan joins Coats after a nearly two-decade career at Philips, where she was most recently leading the International Region People function. During her time at Philips, she lived and worked in various countries and held roles focused on driving business transformation, strengthening leadership, and improving lives through innovation. Megan is a strategic, people-first leader whose global experience will be key to unlocking the full potential of Coats’ employees around the world and driving long-term, sustainable growth.
Helsinn appoints Georgios Kordelas as Group Head of Human Resources
(October, 2025)
Helsinn (Switzerland, global pharmaceutical), a company committed to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer and rare diseases, appoints Georgios Kordelas as Group Head of Human Resources. Georgios is a dynamic, results-driven HR executive with over 25 years of global experience transforming organizations across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, and FMCG. As a trusted C-Suite partner, he will focus on building a thriving culture and aligning people strategies with business goals, specializing in Change Management, Talent Strategy, Strategic Workforce Planning, and fostering operational excellence in fast-paced environments.
Lindex Group appoints Niklas Lindholm as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Lindex Group plc (Sweden, retail/fashion) appoints Niklas Lindholm, Ph.D. (Econ), as its new Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the Group Management Team, starting during the fourth quarter of 2025. Based in Gothenburg, Niklas will also serve as the Lindex division’s Chief People and Communications Officer, leveraging his 25+ years of international HR executive experience across sectors including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and technology. He previously held CPO roles at Oriola Corporation and Fiskars Group, and senior HR positions at Paulig Group and Nokia, bringing solid leadership experience to accelerate Lindex Group’s strategic transformation and sustainable growth.
Batavia Biosciences appoints Marty Stork as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
Batavia Biosciences (Netherlands, global biopharmaceutical) appoints Marty Stork as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), based in the Netherlands. Marty brings extensive global HR experience from the life sciences sector, having most recently served as the Global Head of Learning & Development at argenx, where he established a comprehensive L&D capability and leadership framework. His background includes senior HR leadership roles at Genmab, Ammega, and Esko Graphics, with proven experience in HR business partnering, organizational transformation, and post-acquisition integration (e.g., following the Genzyme/Sanofi deal).
MSAB appoints Caroline Palm as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
MSAB (Sweden), a global leader in forensic technology, appoints Caroline Palm as Chief Human Resources Officer, based in Stockholm. Caroline joins the management team to lead HR strategy, focusing on performance management, talent development, and HR transformation to support MSAB’s global growth. She brings over 15 years of international HR leadership experience, with previous roles at Voi Technology AB, Leo Vegas Group AB, Serendipity AB, and advisory positions in HR transformation.
Connells Group appoints Adam Dilks as Group People Director
(October, 2025)
Connells Group (UK, property and financial services) appoints Adam Dilks as Group People Director. Adam will lead the strategic development of people initiatives, driving organizational performance and transformation through progressive HR leadership and employee engagement for the UK’s largest group in its sector. He brings over 10 years of HR experience, including senior leadership roles at Nightcap (where he served on the executive board) and Greene King, following an early career start in retail at Tesco. He specializes in developing inclusive culture change programmes and building business-wide people capability.
Aviva appoints Jane Storm as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Aviva (UK, insurance and wealth management) appoints Jane Storm as Chief People Officer (specifically for its Insurance, Wealth & Retirement division or the integrated UK business) following the completion of the acquisition of Direct Line Group. Jane is a highly experienced CPO with a background in financial services, retail, and travel, specializing in guiding organizations through rapid turnaround and transformation. Prior to joining Aviva via the merger, she served as Chief People Officer at Direct Line Group and Saga plc, and was the Group People Director at easyJet. She also brings extensive consumer experience from senior HR leadership roles at Tesco plc, with deep expertise in organizational design, remuneration, and fostering high-performance cultures.
Elia Group appoints Celine Van Haute as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
Elia Group (Belgium, high-voltage electricity transmission) appoints Celine Van Haute as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), succeeding Peter Michiels. Celine is a global HR leader with over 20 years of international experience specializing in scaling organizations and driving cultural change. Her career highlights include scaling the Eurofins group from 7,000 to 35,000 employees during a hypergrowth phase and leading the People & Culture transformation at Umicore, where she reshaped the global HR function and embedded sustainability into the leadership agenda. Most recently, she completed an Executive Master in Change at INSEAD, where her research focused on system psychodynamics and the role of empathy in leading through complexity. She views leadership as a “human act” centered on active listening and creating a shared purpose across diverse cultures.
MNK Group appoints Ulrich Tennie as Group Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
MNK Group (UK/Global, specialist insurance and reinsurance) appoints Ulrich Tennie as Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Based in London, Ulrich will serve as a strategic business partner to the executive team, focusing on building a global HR function to support the company’s ambitious growth trajectory and M&A activity. He joins from Swiss Re, where he was Head of the Center-of-Excellence for People & Culture Development. Ulrich also held several senior HR leadership roles at Novartis, including serving as HR Business Partner for the global Quality function of 9,000 employees. His background includes significant tenure in strategy and HR consulting at Monitor Deloitte and WTW across London, New York, and Frankfurt. He holds an MSc in Organizational Behavior from the London School of Economics.
Nice Group appoints Salvatore Catania as Chief People Officer
(October, 2025)
Nice Group (Italy, home automation and security) appoints Salvatore Catania as Chief People Officer (CPO). Based in Treviso, Salvatore is a senior executive with a proven track record in driving organizational transformation and improving financial metrics for Private Equity-backed, multinational, and family-owned companies. He joins Nice from Forgital Group (The Carlyle Group), where he served as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Board Member. His extensive career includes leadership roles at Finanziaria Internazionale, Acciaierie Bertoli Safau (ABS), PPG Industries, CNH Industrial, and Fincantieri. He specializes in M&A integration, lean methods (such as Hoshin Kanri and WCM), and governance model changes. He holds an AMBA-accredited Executive MBA from MIB Trieste School of Management.
R&S Group appoints Marlo Moeller as Chief Human Resources Officer
(October, 2025)
R&S Group (Switzerland, electrical infrastructure and energy products) appoints Marlo Moeller as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Marlo is a global HR leader recognized as a trusted thought partner who aligns people strategy with business P&L and growth objectives. He joins the group during a dynamic period of expansion, focusing on large-scale change management, M&A integration, and the adoption of AI and new technologies to enhance organizational performance. With international experience from living in seven different countries, Marlo specializes in fostering high-performance cultures and strengthening leadership capabilities across global matrix organizations. His approach emphasizes “connecting the dots” between employee experience, customer expectations, and sustainable business outcomes.
Sefar Group appoints Dominique Christen as Global Head of HR
(October 2025)
Sefar Group (Switzerland, advanced technical fabrics) appoints Dominique Christen as Global Head of Human Resources. Based in Zurich, Dominique brings extensive global HR leadership experience from various sectors, specializing in HR Transformation, Talent Development, Restructuring, and Change Management. He previously served as Group Head Human Resources at Aebi Schmidt International and VP Bank AG. His career also includes HR leadership roles at Swisscom, KPMG Switzerland, and a long tenure at Credit Suisse, where he was Head of Human Resources, Private Banking Americas.
September 2025
Nic Brassey returns to Unilever as CHRO, Foods
(September 1, 2025)
Unilever Foods (Netherlands) welcomes Nic Brassey as Chief HR Officer, based in Rotterdam. Nic re-joins to shape the people strategy for one of Unilever’s flagship businesses, supporting transformation and growth. He brings deep consumer-goods experience and a purpose-led approach to building capability and leadership.
Worldline appoints Anika Grant as Chief People Officer
(September 1, 2025)
Payments leader Worldline (France) appoints Anika Grant as Chief People Officer, based in Paris. Anika leads the global HR agenda to support Worldline’s strategy and innovation ambitions, bringing a track record from Ubisoft, Dyson, Accenture and AECOM.
Alexianer appoints Frank Thörner-Tamm as Chief Human Resources Officer
(September, 2025)
Alexianer GmbH (Germany) appoints Frank Thörner-Tamm as Chief Human Resources Officer and Managing Director. He will join the company on the 1 November, 2025, to lead HR strategy and operations, succeeding Sascha John. Frank brings extensive experience from his previous role as Head of HR & Social Affairs at Asklepios Kliniken.
Haypp Group appoints Aaron Thomas Carmichael as Chief People & Culture Officer
(September, 2025)
Haypp Group (global e-commerce) appoints Aaron Thomas Carmichael as Chief People & Culture Officer, joining the Executive Team to lead the company’s global people agenda. Aaron is tasked with ensuring the people strategy strengthens the business by driving initiatives across organizational design, leadership development, and workforce planning to support sustainable growth and international expansion. With over two decades of experience leading global HR teams across Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa, he focuses on connecting business ambition with human potential to shape cultures that inspire trust, belonging, and performance.
Semrush appoints Dr. Johannes Willberg as Senior Vice President People & Culture
(September, 2025)
Semrush (US/global, online visibility management SaaS platform) appoints Dr. Johannes Willberg as Senior Vice President People & Culture. Johannes joins Semrush after an seven-year journey at HelloFresh, where he led the People function through an intense phase of hypergrowth and change. An experienced HR/People Manager, he brings expertise in Strategic Planning, Strategic Workforce Planning, HR Transformation, Reorganization, and Change Management, gained through both the corporate world and management consulting. He holds a Ph.D. focused on Strategic Leadership and HRM in emerging firms.
MCH Group appoints Cintia Ferreira as Chief People Officer
(September, 2025)
MCH Group (Switzerland, international live marketing/events) appoints Cintia Ferreira as Chief People Officer (CPO). Cintia brings over 25 years of comprehensive HR leadership with executive experience at national, regional, and global levels, having worked across Latin America, the United States, and Europe. Her professional journey spans varied sectors and leading organizations, including Givaudan, Invacare, Syngenta, MetLife, and Motorola. She is committed to delivering results by fostering agile and high-performance cultures, developing strong leadership capabilities, and building resilient, engaged teams.
AllSaints appoints Alex Didymiotis as Chief People Officer
(September, 2025)
Premium contemporary fashion brand AllSaints (UK, global operations) has promoted Alex Didymiotis to Chief People Officer (CPO) and a member of the global leadership team. Alex joined the group, which also includes John Varvatos, in April 2024 as Global People and Culture Director. Her promotion underlines the importance of people leadership to the business, as she continues to lead the group’s global talent agenda, culture initiatives, and HR operations. She previously held senior roles at Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, TFG Brands, and Phase Eight.
Aspris appoints Rebecca Phillips as Chief People Officer
(September, 2025)
Aspris (UK, specialist care and education) appoints Rebecca Phillips as its new Chief People Officer (CPO), based in the Greater Leicester Area. Rebecca will be responsible for shaping the organization’s people strategy, strengthening its culture, and driving initiatives to support its mission of unlocking the potential of every child and young person. She is promoted after serving over four years with Aspris, most recently as People Team Director and Director of People Operations. Her career reflects over a decade of progressive HR leadership, including senior roles at Priory, Kier Group, and Grant Thornton LLP.
Carr’s Group plc appoints Sian Wythe as Chief People Officer
(September, 2025)
Carr’s Group plc (UK, global operations), an international leader in Agriculture and Engineering, has promoted Sian Wythe to Chief People Officer (CPO), joining the global leadership team. Based in Cumbria, she will lead the Group’s people strategy, focusing on talent development and organizational culture to support its international growth and innovation agenda. Sian has been with the company for two years, having previously served as Head of HR Agriculture. Earlier in her career, she held roles at the Financial Ombudsman Service and spent nearly nine years with the Direct Line Group.
Grundfos appoints Anne Grønbjerg as Group Executive Vice President HR, CHRO
(September, 2025)
Grundfos (Denmark, global operations), a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, appoints Anne Grønbjerg as Group Executive Vice President HR and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Anne joined the company in 2016 and previously held several global and regional leadership positions within the Commercial Buildings Services division, based in Bjerringbro and Singapore. She brings over 20 years of leadership experience in global corporations, including various roles in Maersk Line (shipping), where she served as Managing Director in Greece and Jordan, and shorter stints at KPMG and Danfoss. She will be based in Bjerringbro, Denmark.
IFS appoints Mihita Podobnik as Chief People Officer
(September, 2025)
IFS (Sweden, global operations), a leading provider of Industrial AI software, appoints Mihita Podobnik as Chief People Officer (CPO), succeeding Debra McCowan. Mihita was most recently the IFS Chief of Staff, where she led strategic initiatives and drove transformation across the business, partnering closely with the executive team. Her strategic mindset and deep connection to the company’s workforce make her the ideal person to advance IFS’s people-first, high-performance agenda and strengthen its position as a global Industrial AI leader.
Renault Group appoints Claire Fanget as Chief People & Organisation Officer
(September, 2025)
Renault Group (France, global automotive) appoints Claire Fanget as Chief People & Organisation Officer, succeeding Bruno Laforge and joining the Group Leadership Team. Claire will support the Group’s transformation, focusing her priorities on adapting skills and resources to new industry needs and further developing managerial excellence. Having joined the company in 1996, she brings broad HR experience across manufacturing, sales, Alliance, regions, and brands, most recently serving as Head of HR for the Renault brand.
VP Bank AG appoints Marcel Tschanz as Group Head People & Culture
(September, 2025)
VP Bank AG (Liechtenstein, private banking) appoints Marcel Tschanz as its new Group Head People & Culture. Based in Vaduz, he will focus on strengthening the bank’s people strategy, fostering an inclusive and agile culture, and aligning HR transformation with the bank’s global ambitions in private banking and wealth management. Marcel has been with VP Bank AG since 2021, having previously served as Chief Transformation Officer and Chief of Staff. Prior to joining VP Bank, he spent over a decade with PwC in Zurich, where he led transformation and strategy consulting for financial service firms.
Cerealto appoints Julian Fernandez Terreros as Chief People and Organization Officer
(September, 2025)
Cerealto (Spain, global manufacturer of cereal products) appoints Julian Fernandez Terreros as Chief People and Organization Officer. Julian brings over 20 years of executive-level HR experience as a strategic business partner across global multinational companies in the automotive, metal, and chemical sectors. He has a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and implementing leading-edge human capital initiatives to align and engage the workforce with strategic corporate goals. He is excited to contribute to Cerealto’s mission of shaping a sustainable and thriving future.
August 2025
Medartis appoints Caroline Knoeri as Chief Human Resources Officer
(August 19, 2025)
Medartis strengthens its leadership with the appointment of Caroline Knoeri as CHRO, leading global HR strategy with a focus on talent development and organizational excellence. She brings two decades of HR leadership, including roles at Vontobel, Google and GE.
Schwarz Digits appoints Andra Rupietta as Chief Human Resources Officer
(August 1, 2025)
Schwarz Digits (Germany), the IT and digital division of the Schwarz Group, appoints Andra Rupietta as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Andra will support the growth and development of Schwarz Digits, leading the HR strategy to foster a pioneering culture, and strengthening HR as a strategic business partner in close collaboration with the business units. She brings internal experience, having previously driven cross-divisional HR initiatives, including formulating the overarching HR IT Strategy and implementing the SF EC Global Template with colleagues across Schwarz Corporate Solutions and Schwarz IT.
On welcomes Katarina Berg as Chief People Officer
(August 2025)
On (Switzerland) adds fresh energy to its people agenda with the appointment of Katarina Berg as Chief People Officer in Zurich, Switzerland. Katarina now leads global people and culture with a focus on scaling talent, leadership and ways of working as On continues its rapid growth. Formerly CHRO at Spotify, she brings hard-won experience in culture, hypergrowth and employee experience.
July 2025
DKV Mobility appoints Åsa Lautenberg as Chief Human Resources Officer
(Jul 1, 2025)
DKV Mobility (Germany) strengthens its people agenda with the appointment of Åsa Lautenberg as CHRO, based in Ratingen. She succeeds Jana Eggerding-Tenhagen and leads People & Sustainability strategy and processes, bringing experience from Wittur, Viessmann, Samson and Lufthansa Group.
Christian Louboutin names Anne Raynal Group CHRO
(July 2025)
Christian Louboutin (France) appoints Anne Raynal as Group Chief Human Resources Officer, strengthening the maison’s people agenda as it scales globally. She will lead the group’s HR strategy across talent, leadership, and ways of working from Paris. Raynal brings deep HR and legal expertise from luxury houses including Berluti and Aquazzura.
Capri Sun names Ulrike Kaeppler Chief HR Officer
(July 2025)
Capri Sun has appointed Ulrike Kaeppler as Chief HR Officer, based in Steinhausen (Zug), Switzerland, to strengthen the company’s global people strategy as it scales. She will lead talent, leadership, and culture across Capri Sun’s international markets. Kaeppler brings deep transformation experience, previously serving as Global CHRO at Lonza and holding senior HR roles at Smith+Nephew and SC Johnson.
Voith welcomes Katharina Rath as Chief People Officer
(Jul 1, 2025)
Voith appoints Katharina Rath to the newly created role of Chief People Officer, aligning corporate culture and global HR strategy for the future. She previously served as CPO at DB Schenker and held senior HR roles at Siemens and Continental.
Alstom welcomes Marcella Hoffmann as Chief Human Resources Officer
(Jul 1, 2025)
Alstom strengthens its people and culture leadership with the appointment of Marcella Hoffmann as Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Alstom Leadership Team, effective July 1, 2025. She joins from Airbus Defence and Space and succeeds Helen Bradley.
Àlber Blanc appoints Elena Logutova as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July, 2025)
Àlber Blanc appoints Elena Logutova as Chief Human Resources Officer. Elena will lead the company’s HR strategy, focusing on talent acquisition, development, and organizational culture. She brings extensive HR leadership experience across global startups and scale-ups, with a track record of driving growth and innovation in dynamic environments.
ISS Deutschland appoints Anna Hellweg as Chief People & Culture Officer
(July, 2025)
ISS Deutschland (Germany) appoints Anna Hellweg as Chief People & Culture Officer, based in Düsseldorf. Having previously served as Chief People & Culture Officer and Geschäftsführerin (Managing Director), Anna is now focused on strategically driving the company’s people and culture agenda. She first joined the facility management company in May 2019 as Director People & Culture, succeeding Corinna Refsgaard. Anna brings extensive senior HR experience from previous roles at Benteler Automotive, Kienbaum and Partner GmbH, and Dana Holding Corporation.
XTB appoints Julia Panchenko as Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
Online investing leader XTB (Poland, global operations) appoints Julia Panchenko as Chief People Officer. Julia will leverage her extensive experience in fast-paced, global organizations to support XTB’s growth and ambition in the dynamic trading and investing sector. She will focus on strengthening the company culture, driving performance, and supporting talented teams across XTB’s worldwide operations.
Hitachi Energy appoints Alice Hamann as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July 1, 2025)
Hitachi Energy (Switzerland, global operations) appoints Alice Hamann as Chief Human Resources Officer. Alice will lead the global HR strategy, focusing on enabling Hitachi Energy’s ambitious goals and supporting the “One True Hitachi” vision. She brings valuable leadership experience from within the company, having previously worked with the Transformers team.
TLScontact appoints Rudy Cimper as Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
TLScontact (France, global operations), a leading provider of visa application management services, appoints Rudy Cimper as Chief People Officer (CPO). Rudy is promoted to the CPO role after serving as Deputy Director of HR (October 2024 – July 2025) and Regional HR Manager (May 2023 – September 2024) within the company. He brings significant experience in human resources management, recruitment, and international personnel administration from previous roles at ELEVA Capital and Monoprix.
Transdev Deutschland appoints Christian Kleinenhammann as CHRO / Managing Director HR and Social Affairs
(July 1, 2025)
Transdev Deutschland (Germany), a major public transport operator, appoints Christian Kleinenhammann as CHRO / Geschäftsführer Personal und Soziales (Managing Director HR and Social Affairs). Effective July 1, 2025, Christian now holds this role alongside his existing position as Managing Director of Operations (COO) and Spokesperson for the Management Board, which he took up in October 2023. He brings extensive operational and leadership experience, having previously served as Regional Head North-West (Rail & Bus). He is also a Board Member of Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe (NIAG).
thermondo appoints Marie Friedrich as Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
thermondo (Germany), a leading company in heating system solutions, appoints Marie Friedrich as Chief People Officer (CPO). Marie succeeds René Bretschneider, the former Chief People & Sustainability Officer (CPSO). As CPO, Marie takes over the operational leadership of the entire People division, which includes Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and Office Management. The Sustainability function previously held by her predecessor has transitioned to the CFO’s responsibility.
Gräfliche Kliniken appoints Claudia Rosenheinrich as Chief People Officer
(July 1, 2025)
Gräfliche Kliniken (Germany), a family-owned healthcare group focusing on rehabilitation, appoints Claudia Rosenheinrich as Chief People Officer, based in Bad Driburg. Effective July 1st, Claudia brings over 25 years of experience to the role, where she will focus on strengthening the working environment and positioning the clinics for future challenges. She is excited to join a company that combines tradition and innovation with a passion for patient recovery.
Sandler AG appoints Guido Baumgärtner as Chief People Officer
(July 1, 2025)
Sandler AG (Germany), a leading manufacturer of nonwovens, appoints Guido Baumgärtner as Chief People Officer (CPO). Guido transitions into the newly titled CPO role from his previous position as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at the company, demonstrating a continued focus on its people strategy. Based in Gera, Guido brings a robust background in Human Resources and Strategic HR from his long tenure with Sandler AG.
Gruppo Unipol appoints Vittorio Verdone as Chief Human Resources & Internal Communication Officer
(July, 2025)
Gruppo Unipol (Italy), a major financial and insurance services group, appoints Vittorio Verdone as Chief Human Resources & Internal Communication Officer. Named one of the 50 Best HR Directors in Italy by Forbes Italia in 2025, Vittorio brings a strong background in strategic communication, media relations, and corporate reputation to the role. He is positioned to drive the people strategy and internal culture, fostering the Group’s growth through innovation, data, and a focus on collective awareness.
Intermarché & Netto appoints Baptiste Le Sech as Director of Human Resources
(July, 2025)
Intermarché & Netto (France), major retail chains within the Mousquetaires Group, appoints Baptiste Le Sech as Director of Human Resources. Baptiste joins to support a project deeply focused on people, regional presence, and sustainable performance. He will work alongside the leadership team to guide the collective, capitalizing on the strength of the Group’s shared governance model to drive growth and meet ambitious challenges.
FLSmidth appoints Cori Petersen as Executive VP, Chief People Officer and Global Business Services
(July, 2025)
FLSmidth (Denmark, global operations), a leading supplier of sustainable productivity to the mining and cement industries, appoints Cori Petersen as Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer, and Global Business Services. Cori is promoted from her previous role as Group Executive, Human Resources and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment), demonstrating a consolidation of key functions under her leadership. She brings extensive strategic expertise in Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Strategic Planning from her tenure at FLSmidth and prior experience at Rio Tinto.
SITS Group appoints Anna Richardson as Group Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
SITS Group (Switzerland, global operations), a cybersecurity and IT solutions provider, appoints Anna Richardson as Group Chief People Officer. Anna brings over 20 years of diverse HR generalist experience across various organizations and industries, including more than 10 years leading globally dispersed People teams within Berlin’s vibrant founder-led tech ecosystem. She has held leadership roles across the USA, EMEA, and APAC and has over three years of executive experience reporting directly to a CEO. Anna will collaborate with CEO Pascal Keller-Bossart to support the company through its current phase of dynamic change and growth, succeeding Ute Maria Zankl.
Fresenius Kabi appoints Tanja Bender as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July 1, 2025)
Global healthcare company Fresenius Kabi (Germany) appoints Tanja Bender as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Tanja transitions into the permanent CHRO role after having served as the Interim Chief HR Officer for several months. She is committed to supporting Fresenius Kabi’s mission of being “Committed to Life” and will collaborate with CEO Pierluigi Antonelli and the Executive Leadership Team to advance people practices that drive the company’s transformation into an even more competitive and impactful organization.
Logisfashion SA appoints Irene Félez Monter as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July, 2025)
Logisfashion SA (Spain, global operations), a logistics and transport company specializing in the fashion sector, appoints Irene Félez Monter as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Irene brings over 15 years of HR experience across diverse sectors, including Logistics, Retail, Technology, and Textile Industry. In her role, she will focus on change management, designing and implementing policies to build an attractive, motivated, and productive workforce. Her expertise includes conflict resolution, people development, and negotiation.
Star-shl appoints Carmen van Casteren as HR Manager / CHRO
(July, 2025)
Star-shl (Netherlands), a market leader in medical and laboratory diagnostics, appoints Carmen van Casteren as HR Manager / CHRO. Operating across the regions of North Brabant, Zeeland, and South Holland, Star-shl is a key innovation leader in healthcare. Carmen will oversee the human resources strategy for the organization, which provides comprehensive services including imaging, functional testing, and runs one of the Netherlands’ most advanced, highly automated laboratories in Rotterdam.
NACOS Marine appoints Undine Peters as Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
NACOS Marine (Germany, global operations), a newly established standalone maritime technology company following a carve-out from Wärtsilä, appoints Undine Peters as Chief People Officer (CPO). Undine will lead the people and culture strategy for the organization, which operates in 10 countries with over 730 employees. She brings more than 15 years of experience in People & Culture roles, specializing in Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Organizational Development within fast-paced, global environments, with a focus on growth and stability.
Travelex appoints Jeroen Bongers as CHRO Netherlands
(July, 2025)
Travelex (Netherlands, global operations) appoints Jeroen Bongers as CHRO Netherlands, adding this leadership role to his existing position as Head of HR Europe (a role he has held since November 2023). Jeroen is a knowledgeable and internationally experienced HR professional with a strong track record of successfully managing change in complex and ambitious companies. He is recognized for his operational, hands-on approach to handling significant organizational changes, including upscalings, downsizings, and establishing business operations in new countries, and for building effective HR teams.
PwC appoints Sophie Mouhieddine as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July, 2025)
PwC (France, Consulting/Professional Services) appoints Sophie Mouhieddine as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Sophie brings over 25 years of experience as an HR Director, specializing in international recruitment and talent development policies. She is an expert in creating strong employer brands, guiding organizational transformations, and structuring the HR function. Her background includes working with major international brands in customer-focused sectors such as consulting (BT Consulting & SI), hospitality (Groupe Flo), and specialized retail (Sephora, Aigle, Maisons du Monde).
Sarens appoints Thijs Lombaert as Chief Human Resources Officer
(July, 2025)
Sarens (Belgium, global operations), the reference in crane rental services, heavy lifting, and engineered transport, appoints Thijs Lombaert as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Thijs is tasked with leading the global HR strategy and aligning the company’s human capital with its strategic goals—ensuring the right talent is in the right place at the right time. He moves into this executive position after serving as the Group C&B/HRIS/HRO Manager for six years (July 2019 – July 2025) within Sarens.
Nedap appoints Jan-Willem Bouwmeester as Chief People Officer
(July, 2025)
Nedap (Netherlands, technology/solutions provider) appoints Jan-Willem Bouwmeester as Chief People Officer (CPO). A passionate Industrial & Organizational Psychologist, Jan-Willem is focused on unlocking the full power of talented humans and transforming human potential into human capital. He brings a strong track record of building people and organizational capabilities across various sectors, with deep expertise in global talent management, leadership development, DE&I, performance management, and HR Technology.