Our Winners
Meet our fantastic 2024 winners!
The Leading Change Woman of the Year Award
Sponsored by Diageo
Selected from individual category award winners.
Alisha Fredriksson, Seabound
Winner
The judges selected Alisha for the Leading Change Woman of the Year Award, chosen from the individual category award winners. The panel was inspired and impressed by Alisha's achievements and her purpose-driven mission to decarbonise a major polluting industry.
Alisha’s creation and leadership of her company as a young entrepreneur exemplify resilience and tenacity. She has tackled one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, demonstrating remarkable impact and potential. Her work in pioneering a carbon capture system for the shipping industry is groundbreaking, and her continued efforts deserve the highest recognition and support from Women In Change.
Alisha serves as an inspiration to other women entrepreneurs, showing that with determination, collaboration, and unwavering commitment, it is possible to break into challenging sectors and drive significant change. Her story is a testament to the power of innovation and leadership in creating a more sustainable future
Category Winners
The Best Professional Services Change Woman Award
Sponsored by Buckles Solicitors
Winner
Deborah Feakins, Marlowe Consulting
Deborah's impact on the change management discipline and her role as a model of female leadership have been exemplary. As the founder of Marlowe Consulting, she has led large, complex transformation programs, providing strategic advice and support to major organizations. Deborah's unique approach, which draws from multiple methodologies tailored to client needs, has set her apart in the industry. Her ability to upskill clients' internal change managers ensures sustainable organisational growth.
Under her leadership, Marlowe Consulting has grown into a multi-million-pound company. She has championed flexible work opportunities, wellbeing initiatives, and senior-level career support for women, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Deborah's mentoring of senior female leaders and her contributions to the UK government's functional standard for project delivery highlight her influence and commitment to the field.
The judges noted Deborah's profound impact across various sectors, her innovative approaches to welfare issues and team dynamics, and her empathetic leadership style. Her resilience and dedication to her team's welfare, as well as her ability to handle challenging situations with clients, further demonstrate her strength as a leader. Deborah's ongoing work to develop young professionals and her charitable efforts underscore her commitment to making a lasting positive impact in her industry.
-
Eloise Cornes, OneWealth Ltd
Eloise is a dynamic professional in the finance sector, passionately advocating for women's financial empowerment. Her blend of expertise and empathy empowers women to navigate financial complexities with confidence. Eloise’s initiatives, such as minimising the pension pay gap and supporting women facing breast cancer through the Future Dreams Charity, highlight her commitment to equity and community support. She fosters connections through quarterly women’s-only networking events, promoting professional growth. Eloise’s innovative leadership and unwavering dedication make her a beacon of inspiration and a deserving candidate for the Change Leader Excellence Award.
Katie Kelly, Oaklin
Katie is a results-driven leader in business transformation with 15 years of international experience in project and change management. She excels in delivering complex people changes, particularly in technology and digital sectors. At Oaklin, Katie leads operational and growth initiatives, significantly enhancing brand awareness and client engagement. Passionate about Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Katie champions these causes as the London Women's Hub leader on The Chartered Management Institute Board and a mentor for POWERful Women. Recognized with multiple awards, including Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35 and Influential Women in Business, Katie's inclusive leadership and innovative approach set a new standard of excellence.
The WIC Company of the Year Award
Sponsored by Change Quest
Winner
DWP Digital
DWP Digital has been at the forefront of digital transformation for the Department for Work and Pensions, making a significant positive impact on the lives of 20 million people. Committed to becoming the UK’s most inclusive employer, DWP Digital has achieved gender parity in senior roles since March 2021 and continues to exceed this target, with 38% of their workforce being women, compared to the tech sector average of 27%, a senior team of nearly 40% women, and and equal split in their executive team.
Their success in promoting diversity is underpinned by an evidence-based approach, utilizing data and analytics to identify challenges and opportunities. Initiatives such as name-blind recruitment, gender-neutral job specifications, and inclusive networks like ‘Women in Digital’ have been instrumental in increasing the representation and empowerment of women in the tech sector. DWP Digital has created a supportive environment through family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellbeing support, including menopause resources.
The judges were particularly impressed by DWP Digital's ability to build and maintain a diverse workforce, meeting and exceeding their gender parity targets. Their implementation of a wide range of inclusion initiatives, accountability goals, and innovative recruitment practices has been exemplary. Despite starting with limited resources and facing numerous challenges, Aesha and her team have shown remarkable resilience and dedication, inspiring others with their vision and commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.
-
Moving Ahead
Moving Ahead is a social impact organisation dedicated to improving workplace inclusion and diversity. Since 2014, they have reached over 30,000 individuals across 300+ organisations and 30 sectors, including BT, Cisco, Google, and HSBC. Led by founder Liz Dimmock, they manage the world’s largest cross-company mentoring programme for the 30% Club and host over 300 events annually. Their initiatives, such as mentorship programmes and leadership workshops, foster a culture where women thrive. Moving Ahead's commitment to diversity, innovation, and community impact makes them a deserving finalist of the WIC Company of the Year Award.
Tessiant
Tessiant, founded in 2020, specializes in strategic advice, change, and transformation delivery for the retail sector. Led by Anna Barsby, Matt Neale, and Alex Ball, Tessiant combines senior advisory and transformation capabilities with a unique blend of experienced practitioners and high-grade consultants. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, 70% of Tessiant's team are women, and their policies support employee health, wellbeing, and career progression. They champion women through mentoring, sponsoring industry awards, and leading significant client projects. Tessiant's dedication to female empowerment and innovative change exemplifies their outstanding leadership and impact in the industry.
The Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Change Right
Winner
Monica Calinescu, Heidleberg Materials
Monica has demonstrated exceptional passion, creativity, and expertise as a change manager at Heidelberg Materials and as a volunteer at the Change Management Institute. She successfully led the launch of the Workday system, engaging senior stakeholders and employees across regions, which resulted in significant time savings and operational efficiencies. Her role in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly through the Neurodiversity Awareness Month campaign, fostered greater understanding and inclusivity within the organisation.
Monica has demonstrated exceptional passion, creativity, and expertise as a change manager at Heidelberg Materials and as a volunteer at the Change Management Institute. She successfully led the launch of the Workday system, engaging senior stakeholders and employees across regions, which resulted in significant time savings and operational efficiencies. Her role in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly through the Neurodiversity Awareness Month campaign, fostered greater understanding and inclusivity within the organization.
-
Lucia Ivanova, Domino Printing
Lucia supports transformational programmes in the Customer Experience department at Domino while leading the global Centre of Excellence for Change Management. Over the past few years, she has implemented an enterprise-wide Change Management Framework, trained hundreds of managers and employees, and supported various initiatives. Her work involves assessing project impacts, preparing individuals for changes, and working closely with sponsors to ensure effective outcomes. Lucia’s achievements include launching a global framework, delivering comprehensive training pathways, establishing a Centre of Excellence, and significantly improving the organisation’s Change Management competency, demonstrating its critical value within the company.
Emily Smith, Sysdoc
Emily, a change consultant at Sysdoc for four years, has been an asset to the company, leading multiple projects to success. Starting her career in change management at Manpower UK, she quickly demonstrated her ability to lead and think strategically. At 25, Emily is leading a global project, showcasing her resilience and determination despite being dyslexic. She has successfully managed an ERP rollout to 10,000 colleagues and led business change on a global project for a manufacturing organization. Emily's strategic engagement and relationship-building skills have earned her recognition and a strong reputation in her field.
The Best Mentor or Coach Award
Sponsored by JCS Global Partners
Angela O’Brien, Macdonald Associates Consultancy
Winner
Angela has demonstrated visionary and affiliative leadership, driving significant achievements at Wyndham Primary and beyond. She nurtured and developed numerous leaders, expanding the Trust from 3 to 18 schools and designing a collaborative model for school improvement. Her ability to spot and develop talent, even in untested staff, has led to the rise of highly skilled professionals, including Trust Principals and Vice Principals.
Angela's strategic focus on mobilizing knowledge and nurturing effective leaders has resulted in most of the schools being judged as having good or better leadership by OFSTED, with five rated as Outstanding. She has also contributed nationally, designing peer review programs for Multi-Academy Trusts and facilitating high-level leadership development programs.
The judges highlighted Angela’s wide and positive impact, noting her ability to create a sustained legacy of developing leaders and empowering communities. Her passion for mentoring and coaching has made her a role model, inspiring others and driving innovation. Angela’s work has built sustainable change, impacting teachers, students, families, and communities over several generations. Her leadership, focused on the long-term development of individuals and systems, has left an enduring mark, making her a deserving recipient of this award.
-
Anna Barsby, Tessiant
Anna is an award-winning CIO and a trailblazer in digital transformation and leadership. With a history of driving major growth for FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies, Anna has held senior roles at Asda, Halfords, and Morrisons. Now a female entrepreneur, she co-founded Tessiant, a consultancy specializing in strategic advice and transformation. Anna is a passionate advocate for gender equality, dedicating her time to mentoring through initiatives like Retail Week's 'Be Inspired', Dell's Female Talent Exchange, and her own ‘Mentoring Circle’. Her mentorship has helped many women advance their careers, making her a highly influential and valuable role model.
Wendy Dean, Strategi Solutions
Wendy has worked in male-dominated industries for over 30 years, promoting culture change and employee engagement. As HR Director for FedEx and later Steelite International, she led transformative culture programmes. In 2015, she founded Strategi Solutions Group, focusing on people, marketing, and creative solutions to help businesses through change. Wendy is passionate about mentoring women, having coached over 100 women voluntarily, empowering them to overcome self-limiting beliefs. She developed the 'Why Women Don’t Play Golf' programme to help female leaders break glass ceilings. Wendy's dedication earned her the Gold Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Business Women’s Awards in 2023.
The Social Impact Award
Sponsored by OneWealth Ltd
Winner
Nyasha Gwatidzo, Banya Placement Agency
Nyasha’s exceptional journey of social impact showcases her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. From her early days in a rural Zimbabwean village to founding a therapy group for sexually abused teenage girls in South London, Nyasha has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to helping those in need. In 1992, she established Imba with just £800, which later evolved into the Banya Family Placement Agency, providing care for over 7,000 children in the UK and growing into a £150 million enterprise.
Her impact extends beyond Banya. In 2003, she co-founded the Vana Trust, dedicated to children's education in the UK, Southern Africa, and Zimbabwe, touching the lives of over 5,000 children in South Africa alone. Nyasha has received numerous awards, including the Social Enterprise of the Year and the Sue Ryder Business Woman of the Year, and she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Great British Awards in 2022.
The judges were particularly impressed by Nyasha's profound impact, innovative spirit, and inspirational leadership. She has revolutionized the foster care system in the UK, established a fund to assist women in starting their businesses, and created opportunities for skilled workers in Africa. Nyasha's dedication to children is evident in the extended duration of foster care placements she manages, providing a stable environment for vulnerable children. Despite financial challenges, she has continually strived to make a difference, driven by her passion and purpose.
Nyasha's commitment to ending poverty and inequality, her innovative solutions to social problems, and her ability to empower others make her a deserving recipient of the Social Impact Award. Her work continues to inspire and uplift communities worldwide, exemplifying how passion and resilience can drive meaningful change.
-
Katherine Kearsey, Marriott International and Gulf for Good
Kat is the Senior Director of Change Management, Communications, and HR Planning for EMEA at Marriott International and Chairwoman of Gulf for Good. She has successfully led organizational transformations and managed diverse teams across regions. Through Gulf for Good, Kat has raised substantial funds for children's charities, with the organization impacting over 33,000 children in developing countries. Since becoming Chairwoman, she has streamlined operations and doubled the number of fundraising challenges. Kat's dedication, energy, and innovative approach make her a deserving finalist for the Social Impact Award, showcasing her as a powerful force for good.
Samantha Jacobs, Future Dreams Trust
Sam co-founded Future Dreams breast cancer charity after losing her best friend Danielle and Danielle’s mother Sylvie to breast cancer. Over the past 15 years, she has transformed it from a small fundraiser into the UK’s only dedicated breast cancer support center, offering in-person and online services. Balancing her role as CEO with raising three children and working as an architect, Sam brings an entrepreneurial, can-do style to the charity, making it nimble and innovative. Her dedication, compassion, and vision have empowered countless patients and families, making her a deserving finalist for the Social Impact Award.
The Best Change Programme Award
Sponsored by Tessiant
Enabling Functions Change Management Team, Tesco Finance
Winner
Three years ago, Tesco Finance recognised the need for a dedicated Change Management function after a consultancy diagnosed that their large-scale transformation efforts were falling short. This led to the creation of the Finance Change Management team, now composed of 10 exceptional women who lead change management across six major Finance Transformation programmes.
The team, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, has become integral to Tesco's operations, managing a £120m, 5-year roadmap affecting 2,500 finance colleagues globally and 330,000 employees in the UK. Their tailored approach to training and stakeholder engagement has built trust and driven successful change initiatives, gaining strong support from senior leaders and colleagues alike.
The judges highlighted the team's commendable efforts in managing complex programmes and their strong collaborative culture. Their dynamic and creative approaches across multiple programmes demonstrated a deep understanding of change management, contributing significantly to Tesco's success. The psychological safety and support within the predominantly female team were also noted as key strengths.
In just three years, the Tesco Finance Change Management team has become indispensable, with colleagues now seeking their expertise from the outset of projects. Their impressive achievements and continued dedication to improving colleagues' change experiences make them highly deserving of this recognition.
-
Culture & Values Team, The BBC
In 2020, the BBC set out to embed its core Values into the organisation, aiming for leaders to be accountable for culture and behaviours. The team, with no headcount and minimal budget, partnered with various departments to rewrite over 40 policies, including the Code of Conduct, and integrate Values into onboarding, training, recruitment, and appraisals. By co-opting and seconding colleagues, they engaged over 300 Change Agents globally. This programme has made Values central to the BBC's strategy, enhancing productivity, retention, and culture. Their efforts have created an innovative, creative, and opportunity-filled BBC, benefiting both employees and customers.
Digital Services at the Border Business Change Team, The Home Office
Digital Services At The Border (DSAB) is a Home Office programme aimed at protecting the public from terrorism, crime, and illegal immigration. Women lead the charge, with three of the four Senior Leadership Team members being female. DSAB’s Business Change team, supported by Marlowe Consulting since 2019, has been pivotal in guiding 12,000 frontline staff through this transformation. Under new female leadership from 2018-19, DSAB overcame initial setbacks, establishing robust communications and collaboration strategies. Recognised as “exemplar” by the Government Internal Audit Agency, DSAB’s success includes a 82% confidence rate among Border Force Officers and has led to promotions for five female colleagues.
The Best Female-Led Disruptive Technology Award
Sponsored by Capgemini
Winner
Hertility
Hertility is revolutionising women's healthcare by addressing the traditional system's failure to adequately serve women's needs, particularly in reproductive health. Founded by two doctors and a lawyer, Hertility aims to dismantle barriers in understanding fertility and hormone health through science-backed, at-home hormone testing and comprehensive care. Their innovative approach includes personalized testing kits, detailed doctor-written reports, video consultations with female health experts, and referrals for further investigation.
The impact of Hertility's work is profound. Their mission to make reproductive health insights accessible and affordable resonates deeply with many, including the nominator, who credits Hertility with providing clarity and empowerment on her journey to motherhood. Hertility has democratized access to reproductive healthcare, offering services that challenge traditional inadequacies and empowering over 120,000 women with vital health information.
The judges praised Hertility for their pioneering approach, combining scientific rigor and personalized care. Their work has sparked a movement towards a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem, making them a deserving recipient of the Women In Change 'Best Female-Led Disruptive Technology Award.' Hertility's dedication to empowering women and advancing women's health and wellbeing showcases their significant contribution to the field.
-
Katherine Corich, Sysdoc - Serendata
Katherine Corich, founder of Sysdoc, has revolutionized the field of change and transformation. With over three decades of experience and a background as a pilot, she applied aviation principles to create safer, smarter business practices. In 2021, Katherine launched Serendata Insight, a platform designed to de-risk change programmes using a data-led approach while prioritizing a people-first mindset. Serendata Insight offers real-time reporting, collaborative data capture, and improved risk management, significantly enhancing transformation success. Katherine’s innovative leadership and commitment to simplicity and efficiency make her a deserving finalist for this award.
Sanghamitra Chakravarty, InvictIQ
With over 25 years of experience in engineering, technology leadership, and the UK Social Care sector, Sanghamitra has driven significant advancements in care quality and operational efficiency. As CEO and co-founder of InvictIQ, she champions data and technology in Health and Social Care. Initiatives like the Data Café and TechCare podcast have transformed care delivery through data-driven insights and technological innovation. Her work has improved CQC ratings, employee retention, and overall care standards. Sanghamitra also advocates for diversity in the start-up ecosystem, supporting women founders through Impact Venture Groups. Her unique blend of expertise drives transformative change and lasting impact.
The Change Consultant of the Year Award
Sponsored by Prospect Change
Winner
Emma Ingham Clark, Capgemini Invent
Emma has been instrumental in leading the Metropolitan Police Service Contact Centre Improvement Programme, a critical part of the Met Commissioner’s plan to enhance public trust, reduce crime, and uphold high standards. Her exceptional leadership and expertise in business and behaviour change have driven significant improvements in the contact centre's operations, benefiting both the public and the police force. Emma's innovative approach, which incorporates behavioural science and real-life scenario-based training, has transformed deeply embedded behaviours and processes within the organisation.
Emma's agile and tailored change strategy has led to measurable improvements, such as reducing emergency call response times and a 54% reduction in deployments to non-police-related incidents, freeing up over 120,000 officer hours. This has allowed the force to focus on core policing duties, significantly enhancing public safety and service delivery.
Her efforts have been recognized at the highest levels, with the National Police Chief’s Council endorsing her training materials as best practice standards for other UK police forces. Emma's commitment to understanding the challenges faced by officers and call centre staff, coupled with her hands-on leadership, has fostered a supportive and efficient work environment.
Emma's work has not only optimized police resources but also uplifted the morale of her team, demonstrating the profound impact of her leadership. Her dedication to continuous improvement, including her training as a special constable and pursuit of further education, highlights her long-term vision for positive change.
Emma’s transformative impact, driven by her passion for public service and operational efficiency, makes her a deserving recipient of The Change Consultant of the Year Award. Her story exemplifies what can be achieved through visionary leadership and a heartfelt commitment to societal betterment.
-
Megan Taylor, Rise Beyond
Megan began her career as a professional dancer, founding Dance London to support freelance dancers with professional development. She co-founded Move The World, a charity in Ghana, delivering Global Citizenship Education to 3,000 students. Now Managing Director of Rise Beyond, a change and culture consultancy, Megan has significantly influenced internal and client transformations. Her achievements include leading diversity initiatives, achieving BCorp certification, supporting a major property business through significant changes, and designing a well-being programme for social change leaders. Megan's dedication to fostering inclusive, sustainable change makes her a deserving finalist for this award.
Preyal Dewani, Wildfire
Preyal is a unique leader driven by values of fairness and doing the right thing. She excels in creating trusted relationships and delivering collective success. At Accenture and later as a leader at a FTSE100 company, she focused on positive change experiences for employees. Recognizing flaws in traditional consulting, she founded Wildfire, revolutionizing the model to value relationships and experience over profit. As an Asian LGBT role model and female founder, Preyal champions inclusivity and well-being. Her impact spans multiple industries, including leading Wildfire to become AstraZeneca’s Change Partner, making her a deserving finalist for this award.
The Inspiring Change Leader of the Year Award
Sponsored by Behaviour-Lab Consulting
Winner
Emma Rooth, Torbay Pharmaceuticals
Emma is a remarkable leader who has spearheaded a significant transformation at Torbay Pharmaceuticals, a company with deep NHS roots in Paignton. Since taking over in April 2017, Emma has strategically positioned the business to enter the global pharmaceutical market, driving local employment growth and expanding its global reach. Under her leadership, Torbay has grown from 150 to 250 employees, and its life-saving medicines now reach over 20 countries.
Emma’s exceptional change management skills have been pivotal in transitioning Torbay from public to private ownership, navigating bureaucratic challenges, and securing significant investments, including an £8 million high-speed vial line. Her ability to empathize and create a shared vision has been instrumental in bringing key stakeholders on board, fostering a culture of collaboration and resilience
The judges were particularly impressed by Emma's authentic leadership, her innovative approach to overcoming regulatory hurdles, and her commitment to both the business and its wider community. Emma's story of perseverance, especially during the pandemic, and her personal achievements, such as running a marathon, exemplify her resilience and dedication. She epitomises authenticity, innovation, and people-centred leadership, making her a deserving winner of this award.
-
Lisa Hall, bp
Lisa Hall, VP for Strategy, Capability, and Partnerships at bp, has over 17 years of experience driving strategic transformation and fostering diversity. Starting as a Chartered Management Accountant, Lisa has grown into a visionary leader, empowering teams and challenging the status quo to support bp’s net zero ambition. Her focus on continual learning, future skills, and team empowerment has delivered sustainable value and inspired growth. Lisa's collaborative and compassionate leadership makes her a deserving finalist for the Inspiring Change Leader of the Year Award.
Preyal Dewani, Wildfire
Preyal is a unique leader driven by values of fairness and doing the right thing. She excels in creating trusted relationships and delivering collective success. At Accenture and later as a leader at a FTSE100 company, she focused on positive change experiences for employees. Recognizing flaws in traditional consulting, she founded Wildfire, revolutionizing the model to value relationships and experience over profit. As an Asian LGBT role model and female founder, Preyal champions inclusivity and well-being. Her impact spans multiple industries, including leading Wildfire to become AstraZeneca’s Change Partner, making her a deserving finalist for this award.
The Sustainability Change Leader of the Year Award
Sponsored by Terumo Aortic
Winner
Alisha Fredriksson, Seabound
Alisha is leading a pivotal shift in the maritime industry through her company, Seabound, which has pioneered a groundbreaking carbon capture system for ships. Addressing one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, Alisha's innovation significantly reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95%, along with tackling sulphur emissions, thereby providing an immediate and practical solution to the industry's environmental impact.
Her approach is tailored specifically for the maritime sector, overcoming traditional barriers such as cost, space, and energy requirements. The successful pilot project on a commercial vessel demonstrated the system's effectiveness and marked a significant advancement in cleaner shipping solutions.
The judges were particularly impressed by Alisha's innovation, leadership, and determination. At just 29, she has already made a global impact in an industry whose emissions are comparable to those of Germany. Her ability to break into a male-dominated field, secure sponsorship from a shipowner, and demonstrate the viability of her technology speaks volumes about her resilience and creativity.
Alisha's vision to decarbonise over 10,000 ships by 2040 illustrates her commitment to a sustainable future. Her humility, ability to listen and inspire, and her ambitious fundraising efforts further highlight her as a deserving recipient of the Sustainability Change Leader of the Year Award. Her work is not just innovative but transformative, steering the maritime industry towards a greener, more sustainable path.
-
Danielle Mulder, BBC
Danielle is a dynamic force for sustainability, known for her passion, energy, and unwavering commitment to impactful societal change. Her leadership has driven the BBC’s transition to a sustainable future as its first Group Director for Sustainability. In just three years, she crafted a Net Zero strategy with clear pathways and long-term targets, earning the 2023 UK Green Business Awards' Sustainability Leader of the Year. Danielle's collaborative approach, transparency, and accountability have inspired industry-wide changes, ensuring the BBC is compliant and prepared for future legislation. Her efforts in sustainability are making a lasting positive impact.
Ruth Wilkinson, Clarasys
Ruth, the Sustainability, Purpose, and Impact Lead at Clarasys, has a profound dedication to transforming business practices for environmental and social impact. She works with complex organizations to help them realize and measure their purpose, ensuring their strategies benefit people and the planet. Ruth has facilitated a community of over 40 senior leaders to explore purpose-led business strategies, collaborated on sustainability standards like BSI PAS808, and led initiatives to reduce carbon footprints. Her commitment extends to pro bono projects with nonprofits, fostering a culture of sustainability at Clarasys, and inspiring others to make a positive impact.
Sponsored by The Change Management Institute
The Best HR Changemaker Award
Winner
Heather Palmer, BBC
Heather has demonstrated exceptional leadership in transforming the BBC into a more inclusive and engaging workplace. Through her People Experience project, Heather led a comprehensive review of the employee lifecycle, resulting in the rewriting or implementation of forty key policies, including fertility assistance, carer and bereavement support, and a values-based recruitment approach. Her efforts have significantly improved work-life balance for employees.
Heather's leadership involved forming twenty-four workstreams and engaging with subject-matter experts to ensure proposals were well-informed and effective. Her collaborative approach and commitment to the BBC's values have been widely appreciated, leading to noticeable improvements in employee engagement and satisfaction. Reviews and staff surveys have shown a rise in engagement scores, with more employees recommending the BBC as a great place to work and envisioning a long-term future with the organisation.
Heather impressed the judges through her devotion to championing people-centred change, both within the BBC and in her personal life. Her HR policy changes have had a profound impact on employees’ lives, including improved paid parent leave for all parents, carers support and bereavement policies. Heather's ability to integrate lessons from her diverse experience in both policing and the BBC has been pivotal in her success.
Heather's engaging and inspiring style, combined with her strategic and patient leadership, has fostered evidence-based decision-making and emotional buy-in from stakeholders. She exemplifies both the art and science of change, making her a deserving winner of this award.
-
Helen Francis, Bacardi
Helen Francis, currently Senior Director of Transformation, Capabilities, and HR Strategy, has made a significant impact by focusing on building skills and empowering employees. Transitioning from marketing to HR, she revitalized a global capability-building program and implemented it worldwide. Helen's strategic initiatives have increased business agility and embedded corporate values, preparing the workforce for the future. Her leadership is marked by a human-centric approach, nurturing nature, and ability to build trust. Helen's dedication to positive change and her unique blend of strength and empathy make her a deserving finalist for the HR Changemaker Award.
Orlaith Vallance, Capgemini Invent
In just two years, Orlaith has progressed from an HR hire to a high-performing management consultant at Invent, renowned for her expertise in People and Culture. She has excelled in leadership roles, delivering exceptional value for Public Sector clients. Orlaith's career began as an HR Executive, quickly advancing to HR Business Partner, where she led global transformations. At Invent, she has driven the development of HR operating models and culture transformation offers. Her work in a UK government department has set new standards, resulting in an 18% increase in positive change-related responses and significant improvements in leadership and managing change scores.