Episode 202: Belonging, Boldness and the Secret to Transformational Leadership: Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer Europe at Smollan
How HR Leaders Change the World
Release Date: 08/05/2025
Episode 223: Military Leadership for Modern HR: Trust, Accountability and Human Skills at Work: Michelle Westwood, Chief People Officer at Osborne Clarke
How HR Leaders Change the World
Michelle reflects on her career from 20 years in the Royal Navy to the legal sector, highlighting how her military background instilled leadership qualities founded on trust and how modelling compassionate leadership improves team engagement that also creates meaningful change. Discussing how military lessons translate to professional services, Michelle emphasises the importance of developing leadership skills at every stage of a career, sharing the concept of an ‘accountability ladder’ to encourage every colleague to demonstrate leadership in their role. Michelle also explores the...
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Episode 222: Be a Queen: The Power of Human-centred HR: Ewen MacPherson, Group Chief People Officer at Havas UK
How HR Leaders Change the World
The queen is the most powerful player on a chessboard – a queen can move anywhere - just like HR. Ewen shares why HR practitioners need to stop staying in their square and start thinking like a queen on a chessboard. He explores how meaningful change comes through sustained commitment to human-centred approaches and shares the example of The Havas Platform, demonstrating how HR can create impact both within organisations and society. Ewen champions transparency as foundational to trust and...
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Episode 221: Rethinking HR for Connection and Innovation: Fabiola Williams, Partner & Chief People Officer at Brunswick Group
How HR Leaders Change the World
Fabiola explores how real change often comes from small, human moments - conversations, deep listening and creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves. Drawing on her international career and psychotherapy studies, she shows how engaging with people relationally forms the foundation for sustainable organisational transformation. Fabiola also highlights the power of human-centred design in organisations. By fostering improvisation and curiosity, and giving employees a voice, teams build resilience, creativity and stronger connections. Concepts such as ‘the fertile...
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Episode 220: AI & HR – Hype vs Reality: Samantha Howarth, Organisational Transformation Lead at Slalom
How HR Leaders Change the World
Samantha cuts through the AI hype to discuss what businesses are really experiencing, including thoughts on why investment in AI is high, yet value remains elusive - highlighting challenges with legacy technology, data, governance and workforce readiness. Emphasising the crucial role of HR in shaping the future of work, working alongside tech and data leaders and the importance of cross-functional collaboration, Samantha highlights a striking insight from Slalom’s research: empathy and communication are being deprioritised, even as these human skills become more important for...
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Episode 219: Leading with Purpose – How HR Can Drive Real Change in 2026: Nigel Miller, Chief People Officer, International at Edelman
How HR Leaders Change the World
Kicking off the new year Nigel reflects on the human impact of HR, sharing his working principles: focus on what is within your control, particularly the ‘how’ of decision-making, and approach people with empathy and care. Looking to the future, Nigel explores the opportunities and challenges HR faces in a world shaped by AI. He highlights the importance of human skills - relationships, empathy, connection - and shares how HR can unite purpose, people and performance to positively impact work and society. Nigel challenges HR...
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Episode 218: Sir Bob Geldof at How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! Harnessing the Power of Your Profession to Drive Positive Change
How HR Leaders Change the World
Celebrating an incredible milestone – this network of HR Changemakers has now donated over $1 million to vulnerable children - we bring you a special, live-recorded episode: Sir Bob Geldof, on stage with Cecilia Crossley at How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! for a fireside chat on purpose, people and harnessing your profession to drive change. Discussing how HR can deliver people strategy for commercial businesses, and at the same time have positive impact, he reflects that “work has to be more than the exchange of effort for wages”. Sir Bob shares his story and...
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Episode 217: Inclusive Leadership in Action: How Small HR Changes Drive Big Culture Shifts - Mark McLane, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Well-being at M&G
How HR Leaders Change the World
Mark McLane shares how curiosity, courage, and starting with small, human-centred actions have driven transformational change, from community initiatives in Michigan to the global This Is Me campaign, which began at Barclays. Mark explains the principles that guide his work, emphasising listening, learning and evolving organisational practices to support a multigenerational workforce. Using examples from M&G, he shows how simple, thoughtful adaptations, for example embedding menopause guidance into broader policies, can shift culture and deliver meaningful, positive change. He also...
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Episode 216: Financial Inclusion & the Future of Work – Elli Michaelides, Chief People Officer, Vanquis
How HR Leaders Change the World
Elli shares how Vanquis combines purpose with people strategy, supporting customers historically underserved by mainstream banking, while building a culture that empowers colleagues to thrive. Elli reflects on the organisation’s focus on financial inclusion, wellbeing and future skills, highlighting opportunities ahead for AI and technology to free colleagues for meaningful work, rather than replace them. Looking ahead, Elli shares her vision for the future of work: workplaces where people feel supported and empowered to grow. She reflects on the ongoing journey of...
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Episode 215: Progressive People Practices & the Future of Work - Alex Voakes, CEO, Peak PEO
How HR Leaders Change the World
Alex discusses the progressive people practices that have shaped his leadership and powered Peak PEO’s growth. He shares his unconventional journey from stand-up comedy to international employment, revealing how creativity and adaptability helped him build a business that enables companies to hire talent anywhere in the world and support distributed teams. Alex describes how and why he introduced bold ideas including a four-day work week, emphasising that change begins with passion, conviction and thoughtful experimentation. He encourages HR leaders to take small steps that build...
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Episode 214: The Power of the Collective: HR’s Role – Usha Kakaria-Cayaux, CHRO at Ofi
How HR Leaders Change the World
CHRO at ofi (olam food ingredients), a global food ingredients company, anchored in sustainability, that operates in over 50 countries and sources from 2.8 million farmers across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices provides to service big food brands and manufacturers with food and beverage ingredients for a diverse range of products ranging from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar – Usha highlights how meaningful change comes from small, everyday moments – using one-to-one...
info_outlineAlix shares her experience leading people strategy at a global professional services company with 90,000 employees, discussing the challenge and excitement of integrating acquired businesses across Europe with a strong employee value proposition rooted in purpose and belonging.
Describing how her passion for responsible business has shaped her career - from tackling food insecurity to championing women’s economic inclusion as Chair of the Women’s Advisory Board in Northeast England, Alix shares her experience on a race equity commission, a powerful reminder that inclusive leadership requires courage and truth.
Alix reflects on leading with compassion and the role of HR in shaping a more human world of work. Her parting message: compassion is the secret sauce in transformational leadership.
References:
RED report: Building inclusive places - Anti-racism in North East businesses – published July 2024 - North East Chamber of Commerce / Newcastle University
Thank you to How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! 2025 - brought to you by Uplifting People for sponsoring this episode
This episode is brought to you by HR’s boldest moment yet - How HR Leaders Change the World Live. Today’s HR leaders are navigating extraordinary demands, balancing short-term business performance with shaping long-term, purpose-driven strategy. Yet despite holding the key to sustainable commercial success, HR is often undervalued, under-supported, and expected to play it safe.
That’s exactly why we created How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! - an extraordinary event bringing together pioneering HR leaders who believe our profession can be a transformative force for both business growth and social good. This year’s event is the boldest yet, featuring candid, strategic conversations and powerful insights from global CHROs. You’ll leave with actionable takeaways and a renewed sense of the power of your role, with 100% of profits donated to support vulnerable children - meaning your impact starts before you even walk through the door.
Tickets are now available. Take a look at the agenda and our first speaker announcements, including keynote Bob Geldof KBE.
Don’t miss out - secure your place today and join fellow HR change makers to enhance your influence and impact. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?
Each month we recommend a book that challenges, motivates and uplifts, every pick is selected to spark meaningful conversations and personal growth.
Our August Book of the Month is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. One of our favourite books, we think everyone should read it! Most certainly anyone interested in people leadership.
It's a sweeping narrative of human history, exploring how shared beliefs, power structures, and systems have shaped societies – and how they continue to impact the world – and your work - today.
Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!