Episode 208: Why Being in HR is a Gift: Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer, Vitality
How HR Leaders Change the World
Release Date: 09/30/2025
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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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...
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In this special episode ahead of COP30, Cecilia Crossley explores the transformative potential of collaboration between HR and Sustainability functions to drive competitive business alongside social and environmental impact. Cecilia is joined by Antoine Poincaré, CEO of AXA Climate School, with contributions from Jacky Griffiths, Director of ESG People & Culture at Grant Thornton UK; and Helen Redfern, Chief People, Communications & Sustainability Officer at Dowlais Group plc. Antoine shares examples of how climate change is reshaping HR practices, from low-carbon commuting...
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Drawing on her 34-year career, Alisa explains how HR is uniquely positioned to nurture talent and inspire positive change, from supporting employees through promotions to creating spaces where people feel genuinely heard. Alisa reflects on her lifelong commitment to breaking cycles of disadvantage. From her early experiences in Chicago to supporting scholarships, tuition programs, and social initiatives around the world, she demonstrates how small interventions can transform lives. Alisa emphasises the importance of listening to employees, seeking advice, and continuously evolving...
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James shares how he’s helping lead workplace culture where talent, not background, defines success and provides examples of tools that create career growth pathways, such as ‘Tiger Teams’. Advocating that human-centric approaches make culture thrive, James reflects on the link between organisational culture and personal wellbeing. He shares a moving story about supporting his wife through postnatal depression and how that shaped his own leadership approach. Across business and HR leadership, from transparent hiring to aligning personal purpose with organisational goals, James...
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Sian shares her journey from growing up in Australia with Sri Lankan heritage to leading global people functions. Sian reflects on finding confidence in her identity, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for underrepresented talent, alongside her volunteer work with the Fashion Minority Alliance. Sian explores the evolving role of HR in a world shaped by AI, emphasising inclusive learning, psychological safety, and adapting to different learning styles. Sian also shares her commitment to fairness and education, showing how organisational practices can build trust, align with values,...
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Sian shares her journey from growing up in Australia with Sri Lankan heritage to leading global people functions. Sian reflects on finding confidence in her identity, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for underrepresented talent, alongside her volunteer work with the Fashion Minority Alliance. Sian explores the evolving role of HR in a world shaped by AI, emphasising inclusive learning, psychological safety, and adapting to different learning styles. Sian also shares her commitment to fairness and education, showing how organisational practices can build trust, align with values,...
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Jarina shares her approach to creating inclusive workplaces where people feel safe and supported, with transparency and courageous leadership at the heart of company culture. Jarina reflects on the future of work in a technology-driven world, emphasising the importance of human qualities including empathy, creativity, and connection alongside AI. Highlighting an example of how equity and wellbeing can be embedded in people strategy, Jarina discusses Publicis Group’s Working with Cancer initiative, which provides job security, personalised support and community for employees affected by...
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Episode 208: Why Being in HR is a Gift - Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer, Vitality Luke introduces how Vitality’s shared-value insurance model provides a unique platform for HR innovation. Their business purpose, to make people healthier and enhance their lives, drives both customer and employee experience, shaping Vitality’s ambition to create the healthiest, high-performing workforce. Luke shares how Vitality equips managers to support employee wellbeing in a changing world of work. People practices are designed to meet wellbeing needs, while an AI enablement function...
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Nadia explores how aligning personal values with organisational purpose can transform engagement, drive impact, and create meaningful work. Nadia shares her experience supporting organisations through change, showing how connecting people to purpose shifts mindsets from ‘I have to’ to ‘I want to’. Nadia highlights the role of technology and AI in augmenting human capability, freeing people to focus on deeper, more meaningful work, and explains how access to education underpins both her own values and Euromonitor’s social responsibility agenda. Nadia outlines her...
info_outlineEpisode 208: Why Being in HR is a Gift - Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer, Vitality
Luke introduces how Vitality’s shared-value insurance model provides a unique platform for HR innovation. Their business purpose, to make people healthier and enhance their lives, drives both customer and employee experience, shaping Vitality’s ambition to create the healthiest, high-performing workforce.
Luke shares how Vitality equips managers to support employee wellbeing in a changing world of work. People practices are designed to meet wellbeing needs, while an AI enablement function partners with Learning & Development to deliver training and experimentation at every level. The result: employees are prepared for new technologies and ways of working, with health and wellbeing always at the centre.
Luke also reflects on Vitality’s diversity, equity and inclusion journey, highlighting examples including menopause support, and participation in the Race at Work Charter and 10,000 Black Interns programme. His call to action for everyone in HR? He urges HR professionals to embrace your influence, amplifying employee voices and transforming workplaces.
References:
The Race at Work Charter - Business in the Community
10kBI Programme - 10,000 Interns Foundation
Thank you to HEX Talent & Development for sponsoring this episode
HEX is a people performance consultancy dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organisations reach their full potential.
Founded by Tom Emery, HEX isn’t just another learning provider - they offer the complete package. Their services include deep individual and team coaching, leadership development, facilitation of team events, and broader HR consultancy.
With extensive C-suite experience and years of working with CEOs and senior leaders across multiple industries, HEX’s experts bring insight, challenge, and thought leadership to every engagement.
Their CHRO Impact Framework for developing high-performing senior leaders is tried and tested, forming the foundation of Tom’s Amazon best-selling book, People People: Reach Your Full Potential as a CHRO.
Above all, HEX brings passion, challenge, and joy to all their clients. Discover more by visiting hex-development.com
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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 September Book of the Month is People People: Reach Your Full Potential as a CHRO, by Tom Emery.
It’s a refreshingly honest companion for any CHRO who’s ever wondered, “Am I truly making a difference?” Through the story of Joanna, a seasoned HR leader at a crossroads, it unpacks both the loneliness and potential of the role, guiding you through a CHRO Impact framework.
It’s not a dry leadership manual; it’s full of real-world tools you can bring straight into your leadership. If you’ve ever questioned your path, this book reminds you there’s a way forward - and it starts with purpose, courage and connection.
Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!