There is huge excitement seeing our office in the heart of Bank bustling again, as City executives return to their desks and bring with them a much-welcomed impetus to recruit. Oakleaf Partnership and Oakleaf Executive roles have soared back to pre-pandemic volumes. We have seen our highest level of job numbers since late 2018 and real urgency amongst our clients to find them the best available talent across all areas of HR.
There has obviously been a noticeable shift to the working week. Before Covid 19, on average, only 5% of our time was spent working from home. Post pandemic, this has changed dramatically, and results have proved this has worked much better than expected.
Everyone has tasted a better work-life balance and business performance on the whole has not suffered so companies are now willing to offer a more flexible approach. Without the grind of the daily commute, people are working longer hours with higher levels of happiness and productivity. When interviewed, most of our network expect to remain working from home for at least some of their week and over half felt that they were more productive when working remotely. Many also understand the need for office working too and so finding the right balance is absolutely paramount.
As the UK recovers from the pandemic there is a recognition that these changes are here to stay. Oakleaf Executive have been working on several searches for key HR leaders, to help build these new work environments. Employers are realising that to retain their staff they need to create new environments where everyone is engaged, fulfilled and happy. Employees are looking for greater fulfilment from their roles and this new way of working will require leaders to adapt and continue looking forward.
Congratulations to the following in our network, in their new positions:
Chris Parkinson has joined Bupa as Head of Organisational Development and Tom Hoosen-Webber as Chief People and Procurement Officer for Bupa Global and UK.
Katy Hodgson becomes Global Head of Inclusive Recruitment at Aon.
Claire Lock joins Procure Technologies as Head of Talent, International Markets.
Damian Hart joins Nielson as Director of Talent Acquisition.
DataCamp have hired Catalina Schveninger as their Chief People Officer.
Philomena Gray takes on the new role of Global Chief People Officer at Imagination.
Hazel Boyle joins Future as Chief People Officer.
MediaCorn have hired Claire Camara as Global Chief People Officer.
Kel Hartman joins Chipper Cash as Chief People Officer.
Elaine Thomas joins TradingHub as Chief Operating Officer.
John Richards becomes Human Resources Director at Hermes.
Emma Welford joins Dexters Estate Agent Group as their People Director.
Jon Hull joins Balfour Beatty as Head of Resourcing.
Dominic Lambillion takes on the new role of Head of Talent at Deloitte.
Barclays have hired Julian Ingleby as Head of Reward Policy and Governance.
Helen Norris joins Bibby Financial Services as Chief People Officer.
Natalie Coward becomes Executive Director, Global Recruiting Operations, for Goldman Sachs.
Kerry Heaton joins Hg as Head of Talent.
Zetland Capital take on Joanna Rouse as their Chief People Officer.
Adam Sword joins as Head of EMEA Talent Acquisition with Moody’s Corporation.
If you would be interested in a more detailed insight into the Executive HR market, please contact Emma Castillo or Heidi Madden, who place HR talent from £120k-£500k base salaries across the UK and internationally.
