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
Release Date: 01/27/2026
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_outlineThe 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 equity and discusses his approach to reward, including opportunities to personalise pay and benefits according to need. Framing reward as an opportunity to target support, he emphasises that social impact isn't only external and reminds us that employees may be experiencing the same issues that we see in society.
Encouraging you to "be a queen", Ewen’s wish is for everyone in HR to appreciate how powerful your position is, and use that power to drive positive change.
How is AI really playing out? Slalom’s new research
Thank you to Slalom for sponsoring this week's podcast episode.
If you’re an HR leader navigating AI and wondering how to move from ambition to adoption, Slalom’s latest research offers practical insights you can use right away.
Slalom surveyed more than 2,000 global executives to understand how AI is really playing out, where investment is translating into value, where it isn’t and, what that means for leadership, skills and cross functional alignment.
Download your free summary here: Get Slalom's latest AI research
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Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?
We’re starting 2026 with Brene Brown’s new book, Strong Ground, as our Book of the Month - a thoughtful guide to building resilience, connection, and clarity in a fast-moving world.
Brené draws on decades of research into courage and vulnerability to help us navigate uncertainty in both our professional lives and personal lives.
Strong Ground is perfect for the start of a new year - a reminder that small shifts in perspective can make a big difference, and it highlights the power of curiosity and intentional action.
Let it inspire you to step into the new year ready to create positive impact - because change starts with each of us, one choice at a time.
Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!