Holli Benn
Leeds
Summary
People-focused senior leader with 15+ years’ experience blending People Operations, Franchise Leadership, and Operational Excellence. Skilled at building capability, coaching leaders, and driving performance, with a track record of using operational insight to inform organisational design, succession planning, and strategic plans. Trusted partner to senior leaders and franchisees, delivering results by combining commercial acumen with deep people expertise.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
People Operations Manager
Pizza Hut UK & Europe
Field Based
11.2022 - Current
- Acted as HR Business Partner for operations, enhancing skills to align with future operating models.
- Drove capability building for Restaurant Managers and Above Restaurant teams, establishing role clarity.
- Delivered leadership development programmes focusing on Heartstyles, Inclusive Leadership, and Growth Mindset.
- Owned training, certification, and ongoing capability development across 50 franchise organisations.
- Collaborated with global training team to design system-wide learning programmes targeting Gen Z.
- Partnered with cross-functional squads to enhance in-restaurant capabilities and operational delivery.
- Advised on team restructuring to optimise geographical coverage and skills-based roles.
- Produced monthly insights and capability analyses to inform performance-driving actions.
Head of Restaurant Excellence (Secondment)
Pizza Hut UK & Europe
Field Based
02.2025 - 11.2025
- Led Restaurant Excellence Team, managing four direct reports to elevate operational and product standards across UK.
- Executed global strategies alongside tailored UK-specific initiatives.
- Implemented digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and uniformity.
- Directed cross-functional campaign strategies, collaborating with marketing and operations teams.
- Elevated product execution standards across all restaurants.
- Delivered comprehensive people development through coaching leaders to strengthen future leadership pipeline.
- Embedded scalable processes and best practices to enhance organisational capability.
Franchise Business Manager - Europe
Pizza Hut Europe
02.2021 - 12.2023
- Delivered structured improvement plans and coaching across multiple markets to enhance operational excellence.
- Cultivated trusted relationships with senior leaders to influence performance and capability direction.
- Navigated diverse cultural dynamics to maximise impact on organisational effectiveness.
- Drove strategic rollout of digital tools to transform modern restaurant operations.
Head of Operations
Pizza Hut UK
Field Based
08.2019 - 02.2021
- Successfully managed UK operations for 45 equity-owned restaurants taken back from franchisees.
- Drove EBITDA recovery from loss to +12% through strategic operational improvements.
- Developed turnaround strategy and implemented an operationally focused bonus scheme.
- Led a high-performing team of 5 area managers to achieve operational excellence.
- Handled complex employee relations cases to ensure compliance and morale.
- Supported ownership transition to new franchisee, facilitating smooth integration.
- Guided team through critical challenges during COVID-19, maintaining service continuity.
Franchise Business Manager
Pizza Hut UK
Field Based
07.2019 - 02.2021
- Facilitated operational readiness for UK franchise groups through execution of enhanced standards.
- Advised business owners on performance enhancement and organisational design strategies.
- Analysed P&L statements, delivering actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Led cross-functional teams on operational projects to drive efficiency gains.
- Served as principal liaison for large-scale franchisees, ensuring effective communication.
- Coached underperforming portfolios to build capability in above-store leaders.
- Maintained strong relationships with franchisees and senior field leadership for collaboration.
Operations System Manager (Restaurant Excellence)
Pizza Hut UK
London
09.2013 - 08.2015
- Analysed operational processes to enhance effectiveness and commercial viability.
- Led communication and implementation of operational tools across all restaurants.
- Delivered training workshops and cross-functional forums to facilitate knowledge sharing.
- In-market lead for global simplification initiatives for operational review systems.
Learning and Development Manager
Pizza Hut UK
London
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Developed e-learning content for newly structured business model.
- Updated brand training standards and established operational training academy.
- Organised workshops for managers alongside product training sessions.
- Collaborated with senior leaders to enhance capability development.
Education
Master of Science (CIPD Accredited) - Human Resources
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds 09.2019 - 09.2021
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Lancaster University
Lancaster 09.2007 - 08.2010
Skills
- Stakeholder management and business partnering
- Leadership development and capability building
- Training design and delivery
- Organizational development and performance management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Operational excellence and change leadership
- Franchise management and partner engagement
- Employee insights and data reporting
- Cross-functional collaboration and execution
- Workforce planning and team restructuring
Timeline
Head of Restaurant Excellence (Secondment)
Pizza Hut UK & Europe
02.2025 - 11.2025
People Operations Manager
Pizza Hut UK & Europe
11.2022 - Current
Franchise Business Manager - Europe
Pizza Hut Europe
02.2021 - 12.2023
Master of Science (CIPD Accredited) - Human Resources
Leeds Beckett University
09.2019 - 09.2021
Head of Operations
Pizza Hut UK
08.2019 - 02.2021
Franchise Business Manager
Pizza Hut UK
07.2019 - 02.2021
Operations System Manager (Restaurant Excellence)
Pizza Hut UK
09.2013 - 08.2015
Learning and Development Manager
Pizza Hut UK
09.2012 - 09.2013
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Lancaster University
09.2007 - 08.2010