Preparing for your first Head of People or People Director Role

About this event

Part of our mid-career stream of monthly events for people professionals taking on more responsibility and broadening their influence.

What changes when you move from leading HR activity to leading the people agenda?

For many mid-career professionals, progressing into a Head of People or People Director position represents a significant career milestone. But the transition can be challenging. The expectations are different, the scope is broader and success relies on more than technical HR expertise alone.

In this candid panel discussion, senior people leaders will share the realities of stepping into their first senior leadership role, including the lessons they learned, the mistakes they made and the capabilities that helped them succeed.

You'll gain practical insight into what organisations expect from senior people leaders and how you can start preparing now for your next career step.

Together we'll explore:

• What hiring managers look for in first-time Heads of People and Directors
• The skills and experiences that accelerate progression into senior leadership roles
• Moving from operational delivery to organisational leadership
• Developing commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Leading through complexity, ambiguity and change
• Building confidence and visibility as a senior leader

Our panel will share:

• Their own journey into senior leadership
• What surprised them most when they stepped into the role
• Experiences they wish they'd gained earlier in their careers
• Advice for professionals aspiring to leadership positions
• Common development gaps that can hold people back

You'll leave with:

• A clearer understanding of what senior people leadership roles involve
• Practical guidance to help shape your development plan
• Greater confidence in preparing for your next career move
• Insights from leaders who have recently made the transition
• New connections with other ambitious CIPD members

Whether you're actively applying for Head of People roles, considering your next step as an HR Business Partner, or simply planning ahead for future progression, this session will help you understand what it takes to successfully move into senior people leadership.

About the Mid-Career series

As your career develops, so do the challenges and opportunities you face. Whether you're leading teams, influencing senior stakeholders, driving organisational change or preparing for your next role, the Mid-Career series is designed to support you at every stage of your professional journey.

Exclusively for CIPD members, these sessions bring together experienced people professionals from across sectors to learn from experts, share experiences and build valuable professional connections. Alongside practical insights, you'll gain access to peer support, fresh perspectives and the latest thinking from the CIPD and fellow practitioners facing similar challenges.

Because career development doesn't stop once you've gained experience. As your professional body, the CIPD is here to support you throughout your career, helping you build the confidence, skills, knowledge and network needed to increase your impact and progress towards your future career goals.

Joining Instructions

1. Participants will receive their joining details 24 hours before the webinar, along with a reminder 15 minutes before the session begins.

2. The session may be recorded and shared afterwards.

3. The chat function will be used to engage with participants.

4. If there is an external speaker, their views will be their own and may not necessarily reflect those of the CIPD.

5. If any reasonable adjustments are required, participants are encouraged to make this known and assistance will be provided.

Helen Ketteringham, Chief People Officer at NCFE

With a career spanning over 20 years in the people profession, Helen was delighted to be recognised in the inaugural CIPD HR30.

Having worked across four sectors and witnessed significant shifts in the world of work, she remains deeply curious about the future and is a strong advocate for the vital and evolving role of the people profession.

Helen is the Chief People Officer at NCFE, a longstanding education charity with a core purpose of promoting and advancing learning for a fairer, more inclusive society. Helen believes that everyone has boundless potential and should have access to meaningful work and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling career.

Energised by connecting with, learning from and enabling others, she is passionate about personal development and purpose-driven impact. 

Sally Roberts, Director of People at Ofsted

Sally Roberts is a senior HR and people leader with extensive experience across the Civil Service and wider public sector. As Director of People Group at Ofsted, she leads all aspects of the HR profession, from HR strategy to delivery, including workforce planning, culture, recruitment, employee relations and organisational design.

Her previous leadership roles span the Environment Agency, Home Office, HMRC, Department for Transport, Cabinet Office and Department for Work and Pensions, with a focus on HRBP/SHRBP roles.

Sally is passionate about inclusive cultures and how they are created, alongside ensuring the fundamentals of HR are delivered to enable the best working experience for civil servants delivering for citizens across the country.

Tony Elliott , Executive Director of People at Robertson Group,

Tony Elliott is Executive Director of People at Robertson Group, a member of the Group Executive and leads the development and implementation of organisational people strategy across one of the UK's largest privately owned infrastructure and construction businesses. Tony and his specialist People teams support a diverse population of almost 3,000 employees.

Tony is a highly respected HR leader with more than 25 years of senior HR experience. An award-winning Chartered Fellow of CIPD, Tony has built a reputation for aligning people strategy with business performance, creating high-performing cultures and leading large-scale organisational change.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, he serves on various Scottish Government working groups, and as an External Lay Member of the University of Glasgow's Court Committees and has held several governance and board roles with the Construction Industry Training Board, a UK government arm’s length body.

Tony is a passionate advocate for the People profession, and the unique business insight that HR professionals can add. He is currently developing how these professionals can demonstrate adding true strategic value by stepping up as leaders on developing capability, organisational productivity, and transformational change not only across his business but the wider profession.