Jessica joins us to explore what fairness really means in a global workforce spanning 120+ countries. Drawing on more than 20 years in Total Reward, Jessica advocates that fairness cannot rely on manager discretion or good intentions alone - it has to be designed through clear frameworks, consistency and transparency – all powerful drivers of trust, fairness and organisational credibility.

Sharing how Deel approaches equitable pay at scale, Jessica explains how standardised compensation for high-volume roles balances with local context and regulation, and reflects on the growing impact of pay transparency, already happening through social media, whether organisations are ready for it or not.

Looking to the future of HR, Jessica makes the case for stronger commercial capability within the profession. From partnering closely with finance and sales teams to using AI for faster insight and better decision-making, Jessica believes HR's influence grows when it understands how the business makes money.

Thank you to Deel for sponsoring this episode.

What does HR look like when it's built for global scale?

With Deel, HR teams can hire, onboard, and manage talent in 150+ countries without setting up local entities or managing multiple vendors.

· Generate compliant contracts in minutes.

· Automate onboarding.

· Tackle performance reviews.

· Centralize employee records, time off, and benefits in one place.

Deel takes care of compliance and document management, so you can focus on people, not processes.

From that first offer letter to ongoing support, Deel makes global HR feel local, fast, and easy.

Visit www.deel.com/uplift today.

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for May is The Working Parent Equation, Balancing small humans with big careers, by Georgie Rudd.

Know a working parent? A colleague that has all the plates spinning, and you're not quite sure how they're managing? Or perhaps that's you?!

The Working Parent Equation is an extra special book, packed with practical exercises for anyone to reflect on their own, personal, working parent equation, and wonderfully our very own Cecilia Crossley wrote the foreword.

Here's her summary: It's an incredibly helpful tool for any working parent - one that will help you, your family, your organisation, and society – because each of us intentionally designing our own equations takes us a step closer to gender equality.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Renata brings a commercial lens shaped by 35+ years as a CFO and CEO before moving to HR. Her approach to HR is grounded in business reality: if you want to lead people well, you need to understand how value is actually created. That means learning the business model, shadowing sales and marketing teams, spending time with clients and working with operations to see how the business really runs day to day.

Renata sees three priorities for HR. First, staying adaptable and future-focused in a world that keeps shifting. Second, moving towards skills-based organisations, where continuous learning matters more than fixed roles or job titles. And third, building psychological safety.

A strong advocate for gender equity and recognising that "talent is universal, but opportunity is not", Renata leads FNZ Group's Inspire and Impact Network. At the heart of her message is courage: speak up, challenge respectfully, question outdated systems and stand for fairness even when it feels uncomfortable. For Renata, real impact comes from small, consistent acts of courage that gradually create change.

Timely for Mental Health Awareness Week: 11th – 17th May 2026

Elevate Wellbeing to a Strategic Priority:

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more: How Geoff can help you elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for May is The Working Parent Equation, Balancing small humans with big careers, by Georgie Rudd.

Know a working parent? A colleague that has all the plates spinning, and you're not quite sure how they're managing? Or perhaps that's you?!

The Working Parent Equation is an extra special book, packed with practical exercises for anyone to reflect on their own, personal, working parent equation, and wonderfully our very own Cecilia Crossley wrote the foreword.

Here's her summary: It's an incredibly helpful tool for any working parent - one that will help you, your family, your organisation, and society – because each of us intentionally designing our own equations takes us a step closer to gender equality.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Describing HR's greatest impact as creating and protecting value, Tim discusses what we should carry forward from COVID - the deeper connection that came from seeing each other as whole people - and why HR is fundamentally a team sport requiring connection and community. He introduces the "future-back" approach: start with a detailed vision 5 years out and work backwards to identify the scaffolding needed today.

Addressing AI and youth unemployment, Tim emphasises intentional choice – that it's not a shift being done to us – that we have agency. He discusses access to employment programmes including a prison-to-work scheme that reduces reoffending from 60% to six.

His wish for you: Be a student - continually better understand the organisation, our society and the individuals we work with. That is HR's life's work. And look after yourself, because we must put our own mask on first.

Elevate Wellbeing to a Strategic Priority

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more: How Geoff can help you elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.

Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.

Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.

Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Floor joined Trivium Packaging with a mission transform HR from the ground up. After 17 years at Heineken, and the merger of two companies forming Trivium, Floor set out to unify the business through purpose, values and people-centric leadership.

Describing the future of HR as high tech and deeply human, Floor discusses rising techno stress, including the fear of not keeping up and the fear of replacement, meaning HR must get closer to finance and IT to preserve the deeply human side of business.

Floor shares her passion for pay equity and transparency, drawing on her background as an employment lawyer, and gives an example of a "Beautiful People at Trivium" campaign, real employees' stories, bottom up, within D&I work.

Her wish for you: Never stop expanding HR talent and enthusiasm - the business impact speaks for itself.

Elevate Wellbeing to a Strategic Priority

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more: How Geoff can help you elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.

Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.

Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.

Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Donovan's environmental passion drives him - growing up on an organic regenerative farm off-grid in Northern California shaped his career. As well as leading people strategy for engineers and environmental consultants, he serves on boards such as the Mattole Restoration Council – roles that align with Langan's sustainability work and their 80% Gen Z/millennial workforce, who highly value Langan's approach to citizenship.

Donovan discusses the opportunity for AI to free HR business partners from transactional work to focus on coaching, culture, and employee experience. He shares examples of living corporate values, not just posting them, such as Women at Langan's 10th anniversary – with a summit open to clients, suppliers, competitors (and all genders) - maximising value and impact across Langan's value chain.

His wish for HR: lead with kindness, empathy and heart. Be the employee advocate, not just the business partner.

References: -

The Farm is Here by Jeff Tkach

Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces.

As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.

Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.

Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.

Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, Geoff McDonald discusses how he helps leadership and HR create workplaces where everyone can ask for help without stigma.

Advocating that current wellbeing efforts focus too much on individuals, Geoff notes that burnout levels aren't decreasing despite efforts, and sets out the case for moving to organisation wide wellbeing through culture change.

Mental Health Awareness Week commences on 11th May 2026; this year's theme is Action. Geoff's call to action for you: start with your own mental health. Only when you care about yourself can you lead the workplace culture revolution.

Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces.

As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.

Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.

Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.

Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Aly challenges HR to step up: it's time to stop being a support function and become architects of workforce reinvention. With 92 million jobs expected to be obsolete by 2030, yet 170 million new roles predicted to emerge, this isn't about job loss or creation in isolation - it's about connecting talent acquisition, skills strategy, internal mobility and leadership development as one system.

Her personal passion centres on young people entering the workforce. As a mother of four at career-entry age, Aly worries that automation is eliminating entry-level roles that once served as gateways to learning how organisations work. She challenges HR leaders to think creatively about apprenticeships and developmental internships - not just for social responsibility, but because stripping away these entry points threatens the future talent pipeline.

LHH's purpose is 'building a beautiful working world'; and Aly means it. She sees HR as stewards of culture, ensuring access to opportunities and development is woven into how the organisation works, not treated as a side project.

Her wish for all HR professionals: remember that we are called human resources, and the human part comes first. HR must stay at the table with business leaders, ensuring that in the rush for efficiency and quarterly results, people remain at the centre of transformation.

References: -

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum

Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work

Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.

Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces.

As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.

As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.

Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk

Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work? 

Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace.

Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced.

With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too.

Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

Lucia opens with a powerful reframe: HR sits at a unique intersection, understanding both people and business, translating strategy into everyday behaviour, and discusses how this positioning creates opportunity for both business and social impact.

She shares ADP's Ada Lovelace Programme, providing STEM-education and comprehensive training to enter the labour market. With brilliant results such as a 65% workforce participation rate, Lucia is clear this isn't charity - it's smart business building talent pipelines and diverse perspectives.

Lucia describes ADP's Break the Ceiling programme, sparked by a photograph of the management team: two women in a sea of male black suits. The programme showed that sponsorship, not just mentorship, drives advancement - Lucia herself benefited from this programme, advancing to her current CHRO role.

Her wish for all HR professionals: feel the power to influence. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. And in claiming that power, HR leaders really can change the world.

What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research

Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.

Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.

Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.

Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.

Download your free report from Encompass Equality

👥 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? 

Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace.

Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced.

With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too.

Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague.

Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.