CIPD announces the HR30 list 2026, recognising senior people leaders driving impact

The CIPD has announced its HR30 list for 2026, recognising 30 senior HR professionals who have made a real impact in their organisations over the past year. 

Outgoing CEO Peter Cheese revealed the list on the first day of the CIPD’s Festival of Work at ExCeL London. It showcases leaders driving change across a wide range of sectors, including finance, technology, the charity sector and the NHS. 

An expert panel of senior people leaders and HR practitioners judged the list. HR30 recognises those shaping the future of the profession — people delivering meaningful change, championing new ways of working and strengthening people practices in their organisations.

Recognising impact across sectors

This year's cohort reflects the breadth of influence HR leadership now has across the UK economy. From large corporates to public and third sector organisations, those recognised are playing a key role in responding to the challenges facing today's workplaces. 

The HR30 spotlights leaders who are not only developing people strategies but also delivering real results for their organisations and their people.

Supporting the future of the profession 

The role of people professionals has never been more central to how organisations perform and how people experience work. 

HR30 aims to highlight strong practice across the profession and bring senior people leaders together to connect, learn and share insight. 

Those named in the 2026 list were invited to a celebration event at the CIPD Festival of Work on Wednesday 10 June.

The full list 

The HR30 2026 are: 

• Caroline Andrews, Chief Customer and People Officer, IAG Cargo  
• Louise Brown, Vice Principal - Corporate Services, Wigan and Leigh College 
• Rami Busbait, Head of Talent Management, Savvy Games Group 
• Amanda-Jane Capon, Chief People Officer, idverde UK 
• Jon Dawson, Chief People Officer, Lore Group & Global Holdings Management Group UK 
• Nicola Dent, People and Culture Director, Stadler Rail UK  
• Martyn Dicker, Director of People, UNICEF UK (now Battersea Dogs Home) 
• Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer, Arm  
• Hannah Elkin, Head of Human Resources, Citipost Mail 
• Aly Fadil, Chief People Officer, Matalan 
• Pamela Flynn, Chief People Officer, Manchester Metropolitan University 
• Claire Fox, Chief People Officer, Digital Science 
• Nik Galanis, Head of Equity Diversity and Inclusion Delivery, Department for Work and Pensions 
• Debra Gardner, Chief People Officer, LSL 
• Heather Saville Gupta, SVP, People & Culture, BritBox International 
• Danny Harmer, Group Chief People Officer, Aviva  
• Martin Holmes, People Director, Creed Foodservice 
• Ellie Jobes, Group People Director, Bagnalls  
• Daniel Robert Moczynski, Head of HR, NWH Group 
• Sarah Moyo, People and Communications Director, Thalia Waste Management 
• Katie Obi, Chief People Officer, OneAdvanced  
• Julija O'Keeffe, Head of People, Ringtons 
• Kerri O'Neill, Chief People Officer, UK and Ireland, Ipsos 
• Helen Pericleous VP of People & Talent Zilch 
• Tim Pointer, Operating Partner, Three Hills 
• Lisa Robbins, Vice President Partner Resources, Starbucks Coffee Company 
• Cheryl Samuels, People & Culture Director, Guys and St Thomas Foundation NHS Trust 
• Claire Scrafton, Deputy Director of HR & Governance, Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 
• Saira Shah, Chief People Officer, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust  
• Andrew Stephenson, Former CHRO, Equiniti (now with Dove Nest Group)