Hayley Nicolaou
Canary Wharf
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in staff retention strategies, strategic resource allocation, and effective communication. Demonstrates a strong track record in change management and mergers & acquisitions, leveraging advanced negotiation skills to drive successful outcomes. Committed to enhancing organisational efficiency and growth through innovative solutions and strategic planning.
Results-driven HR professional with strategic mindset, bringing strong leadership skills and deep understanding of talent management. Excels in fostering positive workplace culture and driving organisational development. Committed to enhancing employee engagement and creating impactful HR initiatives for company growth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Head of HR
Howden Group Holdings
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Delivered proactive and hands on SMF board leadership across Howden Insurance Broking Limited and HowdenRe for their UK and international hubs
- Leading the HR Business Partnering team through developing and implementing a commercially aligned HR strategy designed to enhance the Group people first proposition, covering approximately 2000 employees
- Partnered with the CEO and Executive Team to translate business strategy and Group vision and goals into an aligned and integrated People Plan
- Influenced and advised the Howden Broking and Howden Re boards in setting meaningful D&I targets and commitments
- Trusted partner, strategic advisor and confidante for the CEO and Executive Teams
- Built and lead a high performing and commercially aligned team of HRBPs to support division heads and deliver against the People Plan
- Lead the business from a people perspective through transformational change (including M&A) ensuring a consistent and robust approach for efficiency and engagement
- Collaborated across HR Group Services to enable development of relevant HR initiatives, and lead delivery across all areas of HR back into the business, delivering a seamless experience for employees and managers
- Partnered with COEs to develop and deploy globally aligned HR solutions
- Creating scalable HR solutions following M&A integrations
Head of HR
BGC Partners LLP
09.2016 - 11.2021
- Head of HR for the BGC Group ensuring a commercial and practical service was provided to the BGC Group entities consisting of approximately 3000 employees
- Taking a proactive role in the Global HR Leadership Team and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the HR functions across EMEA (with 18 month additional coverage of APAC) with a particularly hands on approach to all tasks
- Responsible for updates and communications with the FCA on a quarterly basis following the financial services conduct and culture reviews
- Advising and implementing efficient and appropriate HR solutions across diverse client groups, requiring commercial solutions to unique commercial demands and challenges
- HR lead for the BGC Group Collective Consultation process resulting in the loss of 100 roles across the EMEA offices following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Worked alongside the BGC Group Executive, ensuring trusted advice and guidance was offered on all people matters
- Reporting to and updating the Board on sensitive HR trends and analysis
- Lead new branch set up’s in Switzerland, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dubai and Bahrain
- Lead and implemented SMCR from a HR perspective across the London group entities
- Responsible for reporting the FCA on a quarterly basis SMCR Conduct Rule Breaches
- Implementation of the Group vision and values following recommendations from the FCA following a review of culture and conduct within the financial services industry
- Offered timely and influential advice and guidance to the C-Suite on navigating the BGC Group EMEA populations through the COVID-19 pandemic
- Successful implementation of an innovative and agile HR Framework aligning the HR service delivery within a multi brand, multi entity structure
- Development & implementation of a new HR strategy that is focused on the commercial aims and needs of the business
- Advising and guiding the HR Business Partnering team on best practice employee relations approaches and commercial exits
- Advising on and overseeing numerous integration projects as BGC continued to acquire additional businesses across diverse industry sectors, including responsibility for managing the acquired employee population on boarding, change and transformation
HR Business Partner
ICAP Plc
10.2015 - 09.2016
- Delivering strategic HR solutions in line with the needs and priorities of ICAP covering a client group of 450 employees
- Advising and implementing efficient and appropriate HR solutions across diverse client groups, often requiring commercial solutions to unique demands and challenges
- Creation and structuring of commercial exit strategies, giving employment law advice and negotiation of high value settlement agreements
- Drafting and advising on high value and complex front office broker contracts
- Worked alongside senior leaders to design appropriate and operative organisation charts to meet the future business needs
- Played an integral role in developing Target Operating Models for client groups post separation and acquisition of the global broking arm of the business
- Preparation of the Global Broking, HR Advisory and Infrastructure stakeholders for separation and integration into their new entities ensuring ICAP Global Broking Business and the remaining entity is able to fully function, post FCA approval on Day 1
Business Partnering
Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A
07.2014 - 10.2015
- Supporting the UK Branch through providing pragmatic, commercially effective solutions
- Managed and lead all ER cases from investigation stage to final outcome
- Working with division heads offering strategic support to reach the branch objectives
- Managed and lead the recruitment function of the Generali UKB; managing all parts of the recruitment process including benchmarking, PSL management, screening CV’s to negotiations with candidates and on-boarding
- Developed the Generali employer value proposition internally and externally
- Introduced and rolled out a successful employee engagement initiative within the Branch
- Introduction of PDP’s and launched and integrated a new HR and appraisal system
HR Advisor
Just Retirement Plc
10.2011 - 07.2014
- Responsible for a client group of 200 employees
- Training managers on employment law and effective management practices through designing, organising and running employment law training sessions
- Played an active role during a company-wide re-structure, co-ordinating and facilitating Collective Consultation Meetings
- Supported managers and employees through an IPO, writing insider dealing and market abuse policies ensuring alignment with the Just Retirement culture ahead of listing
- Supported the engagement initiative and became elected HR engagement champion
HR Administrator
Just Retirement
10.2010 - 10.2011
- Supervising the HR admin team of 4 employees and successful HR system integration
Education
MA - Human Resource Management (CIPD)
Kingston University
01.2012 - 01.2014
LPC - PGDip
The College of Law
01.2009 - 01.2010
LLB (Hons) - 2:1
Brunel University
01.2006 - 01.2009
Skills
- Staff retention strategies
- Strategic resource allocation
- Effective communication
- Change Management
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Advanced negotiation
Personal Information
Title: FCIPD
Custom
Excellent references available on request.
Timeline
Head of HR
Howden Group Holdings
11.2021 - 12.2022
Head of HR
BGC Partners LLP
09.2016 - 11.2021
HR Business Partner
ICAP Plc
10.2015 - 09.2016
Business Partnering
Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A
07.2014 - 10.2015
MA - Human Resource Management (CIPD)
Kingston University
01.2012 - 01.2014
HR Advisor
Just Retirement Plc
10.2011 - 07.2014
HR Administrator
Just Retirement
10.2010 - 10.2011
LPC - PGDip
The College of Law
01.2009 - 01.2010
LLB (Hons) - 2:1
Brunel University
01.2006 - 01.2009
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