How HR Leaders Change the World

• Episode 200: Future-Ready Leadership & AI Empowerment - Celebrating 200 Episodes of HR Impact with 5 Trailblazing CHROs

  In this landmark 200th episode we bring together five inspiring CHROs to share actionable insights on navigating the future of work. Each leader responds to listener questions with practical strategies that highlight HR’s vital role in driving transformation with empathy, agility, and human-centred leadership: ·        Dannii Portsmouth of PepsiCo EMEA explores how HR can harness AI by fostering emotional intelligence, ethical judgement, and curiosity; ·        Elaine Grell at Ogilvy EMEA shares creative ways to embed AI across the business through inclusive learning and playful experimentation; ·        Elly Tomlins at EasyJet discusses the importance of purpose-driven, honest communication to balance transformation with cost efficiency; ·        Loren Shuster at The LEGO Group reveals how leadership is evolving beyond hierarchy into collaborative, cross-functional approaches supported by AI-powered personalised development platforms; and ·        Natalia Wallenberg at Ahold Delhaize, offers four key principles for building future-ready leaders. Listen to hear these and her practical 2-2-2 framework that builds business resilience and agility. Together, these insights illuminate a powerful vision for HR’s role - not just as a driver of change, but as a beacon of hope and human connection, inspiring purpose-led leadership in a world of constant transformation. Thank you to everyone that sent in a question, and thanks to you for listening – we’re delighted to celebrate this 200th episode and the power of #HRChangemakers! References: None Sponsored by How HR Leaders Change the World - Live! 2025 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. Early bird tickets are for a limited time only, saving you £100 if you book before 31st July.   Take a look at the agenda and see our first CHRO speaker announcements, plus our legendary keynote - Bob Geldof KBE!   Don’t miss out – click here to secure your place today and join fellow #HRChangemakers enhancing their influence and impact. We can’t wait to see you there!      👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You’ll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn      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 July Book of the Month is Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston. A bold call to action that shows how business can be a force for good in the face of climate change and inequality. We chose this book because it challenges old ways of thinking and is a powerful reminder that courageous leadership isn’t just possible - it’s already happening.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!   

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• Episode 199: Human-centred Leadership - from Call Centre to C-Suite: Lisa Hannah, Chief People & Communications Officer at Aldermore Bank plc

  Lisa describes her career journey from corporate communications to leading an integrated, purpose-driven strategy and highlights the value of uniting people and communications to turn purpose from words into measurable change.   Sharing why Aldermore chooses to call its annual ESG report a “Report to Society,” Lisa describes her personal passion for social mobility, shaped by her own journey from a call centre to the C-suite, and offers practical examples and insights into Aldermore’s work on social mobility.   Lisa summarises her vision for HR’s role in the AI-enabled future, emphasising the roles of empathy and curiosity, and argues that truly human-centred leadership is essential to guide organisations through change, and deliver positive impact for colleagues, customers, and society.     References: None Thank you to Kin&Co for sponsoring this episode     What makes an organisation thrive in today’s complex world? It’s not just about strategy or financial results - it’s about culture.     This episode is sponsored by Kin&Co, a certified B Corp and female-owned consultancy on a mission to make work better for 10 million people by 2030. Kin&Co believe that the most impactful organisations will cultivate thriving, human-centred cultures where people are motivated by purpose, resilience, and empowered to perform at their best.    Drawing on cutting-edge behavioural science and an inclusive approach, Kin&Co help global organisations transform their cultures, sparking lasting behaviour change that drives measurable impact on strategy, people, and performance. Their new model for organisational change is shaped by deep experience in culture transformation.    If you’re intrigued, Kin&Co invites you to explore your own organisational culture with their free Thriving Cultures Diagnostic - a simple, insightful tool backed by behavioural science and inspired by nature. It provides a clear snapshot of your current culture and suggests practical actions to drive better behaviours, strategic shifts, and stronger organisational performance.     To learn more and take the diagnostic, click here: Kin&Co    👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You’ll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn    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 July Book of the Month is Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston. A bold call to action that shows how business can be a force for good in the face of climate change and inequality. We chose this book because it challenges old ways of thinking and is a powerful reminder that courageous leadership isn’t just possible - it’s already happening.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!   

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• Episode 198: 80% Millennial & GenZ – HR Leadership for the New Majority – Severine Riviere-Gerstner, Chief People Officer at Sportradar

  Severine describes herself as an HR professional “by passion and by design”, sharing her impact in enabling consistent transformation - from accelerating talent planning for a workforce that’s 80% Millennial and Gen Z, to evolving culture and embracing AI through innovative learning strategies.   Severine summarises Sportradar’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging programme, for 4,000 employees across 80+ nationalities with a balance of global goals and local action, and is candid about industry challenges such as gender representation in both sport and technology.   Asked for one wish, an action for all HR leaders, Severine calls on practitioners to help people be the best version of themselves, believing that enabling individuals to act from a place of abundance and balance can transform organisations and society step by step.     References: Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams – Matthew Walker     Thank you to Kin&Co for sponsoring this episode     What makes an organisation thrive in today’s complex world? It’s not just about strategy or financial results - it’s about culture.     This episode is sponsored by Kin&Co, a certified B Corp and female-owned consultancy on a mission to make work better for 10 million people by 2030. Kin&Co believe that the most impactful organisations will cultivate thriving, human-centred cultures where people are motivated by purpose, resilience, and empowered to perform at their best.    Drawing on cutting-edge behavioural science and an inclusive approach, Kin&Co help global organisations transform their cultures, sparking lasting behaviour change that drives measurable impact on strategy, people, and performance. Their new model for organisational change is shaped by deep experience in culture transformation.    If you’re intrigued, Kin&Co invites you to explore your own organisational culture with their free Thriving Cultures Diagnostic - a simple, insightful tool backed by behavioural science and inspired by nature. It provides a clear snapshot of your current culture and suggests practical actions to drive better behaviours, strategic shifts, and stronger organisational performance.     To learn more and take the diagnostic, click here: Kin&Co    👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You’ll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn    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 July Book of the Month is Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston. A bold call to action that shows how business can be a force for good in the face of climate change and inequality. We chose this book because it challenges old ways of thinking and is a powerful reminder that courageous leadership isn’t just possible - it’s already happening.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!   

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• Episode 197: HR is a Force for Good: The Story behind How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! Cecilia Crossley, Founder, Uplifting People

  Cecilia reflects on the growth of How HR Leaders Change the World – from seeing a gap in HR thought leadership to a sell-out conference. Sharing the origins of Uplifting People and her unique perspective shaped by a background outside of HR, Cecilia describes how pivotal global moments such as the pandemic revealed the clear social and environmental impact of HR, inspiring her to shine a spotlight on HR professionals as changemakers. As the movement grew, so did the desire for deeper connection. The community’s call for more than podcast episodes led to the creation of How HR Leaders Change the World – Live!, a highly interactive and inspiring HR conference. Cecilia shares how the event fosters candid dialogue, practical takeaways and fresh energy among people leaders. Cecilia offers a heartfelt thank you to listeners for their support and shares a special early bird offer for this year’s conference. With an iconic venue, headline guests including renowned CHROs and cultural changemakers like Bob Geldof KBE, and the promise of connection, learning and inspiration, the conference is is set to be the biggest and boldest yet. Early bird tickets are available now with £100 off, only until 30th July and there are only 50 early bird places… Don’t miss out! Enter the code EARLYBIRD (capital letters) – head to https://www.upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world-live-25 to grab your place today – we’re looking forward to welcoming you! 

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• Episode 196: Speaking Truth to Power, Shaping the Future of Work – Gemma Lines, Chief People Officer, MS AUL at MS Amlin

  Gemma inspires with bold insights on the future of work, challenging conventional thinking and championing a truly global perspective on equity. Drawing on her experience within a Japanese organisation, she reflects on one-size-fits-all approaches, revealing the power of cultural exchange to unlock innovation and drive progress.   Gemma highlights the urgent need to tackle ageism and build intergenerational collaboration as workplaces evolve to meet shifting demographic realities. She shares how weaving equity into the fabric of everyday business (not relying on top-down mandates) has successfully advanced women into leadership roles. Reflecting on pressures in balancing career and family life, Gemma offers practical strategies for family-friendly workplaces and spotlights how the financial services sector is embracing inclusivity as a clear commercial imperative.   Her closing message is a rallying cry: speak truth to power as the foundation for real change. Gemma calls on HR leaders to step forward with courage, start the brave conversations - even when the answers aren't yet clear - and lead transformation with honesty and impact.   Thank you to Kin&Co for sponsoring this episode     What makes an organisation thrive in today’s complex world? It’s not just about strategy or financial results - it’s about culture.     This episode is sponsored by Kin&Co, a certified B Corp and female-owned consultancy on a mission to make work better for 10 million people by 2030. Kin&Co believe that the most impactful organisations will cultivate thriving, human-centred cultures where people are motivated by purpose, resilience, and empowered to perform at their best.    Drawing on cutting-edge behavioural science and an inclusive approach, Kin&Co help global organisations transform their cultures, sparking lasting behaviour change that drives measurable impact on strategy, people, and performance. Their new model for organisational change is shaped by deep experience in culture transformation.    If you’re intrigued, Kin&Co invites you to explore your own organisational culture with their free Thriving Cultures Diagnostic - a simple, insightful tool backed by behavioural science and inspired by nature. It provides a clear snapshot of your current culture and suggests practical actions to drive better behaviours, strategic shifts, and stronger organisational performance.     To learn more and take the diagnostic, click here: Kin&Co    👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community    You’ll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.     Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world    And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn    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 June Book of the Month is The Joy of Work: 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again by Bruce Daisley. Who, wonderfully, is alumnus on this very podcast!      Bruce offers a refreshing and radical rethink of how we can transform our workdays - a guide packed with energising, evidence-based ideas that show how small changes can reignite joy, connection and purpose in our everyday working lives.      Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab a copy, and we hope you enjoy this month’s Uplifting Book!   

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