Outstanding people leaders recognised in new HR30 list

The CIPD has revealed its first-ever HR30 - a new annual list celebrating 30 influential and impactful senior HR professionals. 

Unveiled at the CIPD Festival of Work this week, the HR30 highlights people leaders from across the globe who have delivered exceptional outcomes in their organisations over the past year. From driving cultural change and transformation to championing innovation and building inclusive, high-performing workplaces, these professionals show what’s possible when you apply expertise in people, work and change to today’s business challenges. 

Everyone on the HR30 list was nominated by their peers and then assessed by an expert panel of senior HR professionals and CIPD representatives. The final 30 reflect the breadth of experience in the people profession today, spanning sectors including healthcare, financial services, technology, government and the charity sector.  

To celebrate their achievements, we invited all 30 HR professionals to a celebration event on 11 June, the opening day of the CIPD Festival of Work. 

 Who made the HR30 list this year? 

• Helen Mills, People and Change Director, Department for Science, Technology and Innovation  

• Martyn Dicker, Director of People, Unicef UK  

• David Frost, Group People & Organisational Development Director, Dole plc  

• Mark Hendy, Chief HR Officer, Siderise Insulation  

• Lucy Bourne, Senior HR Director, Recordati Group  

• Mark Adam, Chief People Officer, Ministry of Justice  

• David Cooper, Chief People Officer, Circle Health Group  

• Jon Dawson, Chief People Officer, Lore Group  

• Clair Staines, Head of People and Talent, POWWR  

• Xian Mayes, Chief of People, Advantage Travel Partnership  

• Dr Andrew Stephenson, Chief People Officer, Equiniti  

• Lisa Wallis, Corporate Director of People and Culture, whg  

• Katie Obi, Chief People Officer, OneAdvanced  

• Caroline Andrews, Chief Customer and People Officer, IAG Cargo    

• Helen Bilton, Director of People & Culture, Autism Together  

• Jacky Simmonds, Chief People Officer, Experian  

• Claire Williams, Chief People and Operations Officer, Ciphr  

• Isabel Naidoo, Chief People Officer, Wise  

• Helen Ketteringham, Chief People Officer, NCFE  

• Matt Elliott, Executive Director of People, Bank of Ireland  

• Kerri O’Neill, Chief People Officer, Ipsos  

• Gemma Gair, Assistant Chief Officer, People and Development Services, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary  

• Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust   

• Fiona Ryland, Chief People Officer, Cabinet Office  

• Laura White, Senior HR Manager, Irwin M&E  

• Dr Najat El Mahdy, Director, Strategy, Organisational Development and HR, Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority  

• Maryam Mohamed Ahmed Ali, HR Director, Kingdom University  

• Beverley Flood, Head of People, Monmouthshire Building Society  

• Mohammed Alwaibari, Chief Human Resources Officer

• Thomas Simons, Chief HR and OD Officer, NHS England  
   

To learn more about the HR30, or to register interest for 2026, visit cipdhr30.co.uk.