Melanie Steel
Founder, People Change Expertise
As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), I’ve over 20 years’ experience in HR across a broad spectrum of organisations and recognisable brands, including FTSE 100 companies and Central Government.
Highly adept at building effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, I’ve worked closely with politicians, senior management and the general workforce. Having experience of both senior and operational roles, I can quickly get to grips with your organisation’s needs and provide the results you need.
My Experience Includes:
Interim People Change Director Boots Opticians
Provided strategic HR and Change Management expertise to the Managing Director and Operating Committee Members. Led the People Plan to drive the change required including senior executive hiring; development of senior leaders; introduced a new recruitment system and process including restructuring the HR Function to make it more effective and efficient.
HR Director to Group Corporate Services at Royal Sun Alliance Insurance
I provided full remit of HR Services to the Group Executive and their teams. I worked with executive teams to create people plans and deliver the headcount targets and financial savings. My role involved managing the transition between the outgoing Chief Financial Officer and the interim CFOs, supporting them in identifying opportunities for business improvement and commencing the Group Finance and Tax Change Programme.
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at English Lacrosse
Working with the Chair, CEO and Executive Board, I provide independent challenge, advice and support to ensure successful delivery of the organisation’s priorities while realising the Board’s ambition to become a more business-focused organisation. I’m also chair of the organisation’s Remuneration Committee.
HR Director Cabinet Office, including No. 10
I was accountable for the HR services in the Cabinet Office for 1,700 employees including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Services Offices. I successfully implemented new performance management systems and a senior leadership development programme, and maintained effective relationships with the trade unions through a period of unprecedented change and austerity. I also transformed the HR function into a proactive, business partnering service, driving a culture change that aligned the demands of the business with the capability of the HR Team.
HR Director to the Corporate IT Function at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Providing HR Services to over 2,000 IT employees in multiple sites across the UK. I partnered the Chief Information Officer and the Executive Team, leading an extensive restructuring and efficiency programme to drive employee reductions and create additional value from outsourced suppliers within the IT function.
Global HR Change and Transformation Programme, Unilever
I was a key member of the team that was successful in outsourcing the operational HR Services for over 179,000 employees worldwide, successfully providing global HR systems, tools and processes to the whole of Unilever.
14 years at the Ministry of Defence (MOD)
I held a number of key business and HR roles in various locations including the head office in London and spent four years supporting the Armed Forces in Germany where I established an HR function for the civilian and locally employed staff.
