Sarah Helsdon
Cuxton,Kent
Summary
Accomplished executive with expertise in global leadership and transformational change, driving strategic HR alignment and cultural integration. Proven track record in systemic team coaching, enhancing employee engagement, and talent development. Skilled in managing mergers and acquisitions to achieve seamless transitions and organisational growth. Accomplished stakeholder manager and executive ally and adviser. Trusted and respected leader whose career has spanned many years as an interim and permanent executive navigating complex environments through challenging times and global expansion
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Executive People Leader - EMEA Region, Global People Team and Global IT team
Gutteridge Haskins & Davey
11.2019 - 06.2025
- Developed and executed people strategy for EMEA, aligning with global objectives to enhance growth.
- Drove employee experience and performance through leadership and HR transformation.
- Conducted Systemic Team Coaching to elevate leadership effectiveness and deliver results
- Expanded leadership team, doubling its size in EMEA region to strengthen capacity.
- Served as strategic leader in Global Executive People leadership team and EMEA Leadership team with oversight of 800 global IT and people team employees and 800 EMEA engineering team employees
Interim Head of Reward, UK
AXA
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Led Reward and People Insights functions for 10,000-employee UK insurance entity.
- Managed team of reward specialists and people data analysts within regulatory framework.
- Reported directly to UK Executive HRD as part of AXA global matrix ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Interim Head of Human Resources
Spire Healthcare
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Accountable for Business Partnering team, Employee relations and all generalist HR matters as part of HR transformation.
- Part of HR senior leadership team and latterly covering Group HR Director role for FTSE 250 with c10,000 employees and 3500 additional workers across 39 UK hospitals.
- Targeted £1bn annual turnover, £220m payroll.
Assistant Director Business Transformation
Mhs homes
06.2016 - 02.2018
- Drove transformational change across all areas and led HR, communications, and business improvement functions
- Achieved measurable increases in staff engagement through targeted leadership development, sharpened business improvement metrics and enhanced operational performance and efficiency.
- Implemented aligned cultural and strategic plan to ensure organisational coherence centred on customer service vision
Interim HRD, Integration and Workstream Lead
Arcadis
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Leading HR work stream for implementation and transition of multimillion pound global project for global financial services client (HSBC) covering provision of professional services personnel to regulated contracted environment.
Interim HRD
Arcadis
11.2014 - 07.2015
- Delivered strategic solutions for Arcadis Global leadership to integrate hostile acquisition of 4,500-strong global business.
- Reviewed synergy opportunities and aligned policies to achieve £19 million in cost synergies during year one.
- Identified and retained critical talent post-acquisition to ensure continuity of operations.
- Designed operating model and streamlined appointments process for senior leaders within new organisation.
Interim VP HR, Europe
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
06.2014 - 11.2014
- Leading the HR team as part of the European leadership team, to drive significant change to support business expansion throughout 22 European hotels.
- Including disposal and acquisition of 2 European hotels, remit includes shaping 3 year HR strategy, creation of process improvements, relationship management and improved team leadership.
Interim Consultant – HR Leader
Co-operative Banking Group
01.2013 - 05.2014
- Key stakeholder manager for people and Executives. HRD's right hand
- Contributed to Co-op Bank programme for acquiring Lloyds Verde retail banking operation within FSA regulations.
- Directed change programme to ensure alignment with Capital Action Plan and PRA agreement delivering cost, reward and benefits targets
- Led people aspect of legal separation from Co-operative Group, managing TUPE transfers of c9000 employees to critical timelines.
- Aligned cultural change programme with customer strategy to enhance colleague journey.
Interim Consultant – Human Resources Director
AXA Insurance, Personal Lines
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Influential member of senior leadership teams, reporting directly to CEO and Group HRD. Led HR for Personal lines division
- Secured investment, created and implemented People Integration Plan to align two acquired businesses with existing AXA operations.
- Redefined HR capability and service levels to enhance operational effectiveness and maximise value from corporate HR function.
- Supported CEO in transforming newly appointed senior leadership group into a high-performing team.
- Executed delayering and restructuring initiatives, reducing people costs by £7 million across two programmes.
Interim Consultant - Head of HR Business Partners
Northern Rock Plc
Newcastle, UK
01.2010 - 10.2010
- Led the HR partnering function through significant transition from public ownership and into private ownership, creating change strategy across 4500 employees
- Led design and implementation process in collaboration with Business Partner Team, Union, and Executive Stakeholders
- Influenced development of ER agenda, achieving 25% headcount reduction and successful TUPE transfer.
- Developed revised HR structure to support post-merger integration and operational requirements, redefining HRBP model
- Redefined and delivered colleague reward and recognition strategy
Interim Consultant - Head of Human Resources, Global Manufacturing
Laing O'Rourke
10.2008 - 01.2010
- Directed HR strategy for manufacturing business units across Europe and Middle East. Input to Global HR strategy.
- Managed complex projects including acquisition, integration, and downsizing initiatives.
- Key stakeholder manager through integration and growth of £40 million manufacturing business with 480 employees across multiple sites.
Interim Consultant
Hays Plc
01.2008 - 08.2008
- Identified talent gaps in executive resource requirements to support global growth plans across 9000+ employee organisation
- Documented project brief and executed tender process to secure external senior talent.
- Managed international mobility policy, reviewed executive benefits, offering recommendations for improvements and benchmarking.
- Planned, implemented and presented results to Exec board annual employee engagement and developed subsequent action plan.
- Created template and established risk management model within HR operations.
Interim Consultant
Kiln Plc
04.2007 - 12.2007
- Reported to and deputised for HRD through transformation
- Recruited new permanent HR team to address international requirements.
- Commissioned and evaluated in-house bonus and appraisal technology, HR, payroll, flexible benefits, and recruitment systems.
- Executed executive benchmarking for international growth
Interim Consultant
DPSC Executive Search Ltd
09.2006 - 04.2007
- Search Consultant in IT also an advisory consultant on the launch of the businesses on-line start up product.
UK Human Resources Director
Citifinancial, Citigroup
05.2004 - 09.2006
- Led multi-site Human Resources functions for 1,800 UK employees
- Executed resourcing and talent strategy, achieving a 250 headcount increase to support growth plans.
- Restructured UK business, generating annual cost savings of £5 million and managed integration of Citifinancial HR function into Corporate Headquarters.
- Recognised as credible member of Global Consumer Group HR Regional Team and UK Leadership team
Global Human Resources Director
SunGard
01.1998 - 12.2003
- Directed global HR policy and operations for dynamic technology provider, reporting to CEO.
- Executed aggressive international M&A expansion into US and Canada. Acquired one UK company
- Restructured workforce, recruiting senior executive team and relocating 200 employees to new HQ, doubling workforce to 600.
- Implemented downsizing programme, achieving 20% workforce reduction and saving £4m.
- Designed and implemented benefits strategy for North America, delivering savings and enhancing employee retention.
UK Support Services Director
Rentokil Initial plc
06.1991 - 01.1998
- Developed and implemented HR strategy across three business streams and five divisions with 7,000 employees
- Managed administration functions for a £120 million turnover organisation.
- Contributed to acquisition of £40 million TUPE transfer involving 1,700 employees.
- Played key role in tendering for national private prison contracts.
- Established national quality policies and procedures aligned with ISO 9002.
Recruitment Consultant
Reed Employment
08.1990 - 06.1991
- Full recruitment across multiple sectors.
Commercial Manager, Personnel and Training Manager
Marks & Spencer Plc
08.1984 - 08.1990
- Joined management trainee programme.
- Progressed from trainee across commercial and personnel management and multiple locations
Education
CIPD -
CIPD
LondonSkills
- Executive Global Leadership
- Transformational change
- Systemic team coaching
- Strategic HR alignment
- Cultural integration
- Employee engagement
- Talent development
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Affiliations
- Family, entertaining, pilates, walking, travelling
Certification
AoEC Systemic Team Coaching Certificate
CIPD
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive People Leader - EMEA Region, Global People Team and Global IT team
Gutteridge Haskins & Davey
11.2019 - 06.2025
Interim Head of Reward, UK
AXA
05.2019 - 11.2019
Interim Head of Human Resources
Spire Healthcare
02.2018 - 04.2019
Assistant Director Business Transformation
Mhs homes
06.2016 - 02.2018
Interim HRD, Integration and Workstream Lead
Arcadis
09.2015 - 03.2016
Interim HRD
Arcadis
11.2014 - 07.2015
Interim VP HR, Europe
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
06.2014 - 11.2014
Interim Consultant – HR Leader
Co-operative Banking Group
01.2013 - 05.2014
Interim Consultant – Human Resources Director
AXA Insurance, Personal Lines
01.2011 - 12.2012
Interim Consultant - Head of HR Business Partners
Northern Rock Plc
01.2010 - 10.2010
Interim Consultant - Head of Human Resources, Global Manufacturing
Laing O'Rourke
10.2008 - 01.2010
Interim Consultant
Hays Plc
01.2008 - 08.2008
Interim Consultant
Kiln Plc
04.2007 - 12.2007
Interim Consultant
DPSC Executive Search Ltd
09.2006 - 04.2007
UK Human Resources Director
Citifinancial, Citigroup
05.2004 - 09.2006
Global Human Resources Director
SunGard
01.1998 - 12.2003
UK Support Services Director
Rentokil Initial plc
06.1991 - 01.1998
Recruitment Consultant
Reed Employment
08.1990 - 06.1991
Commercial Manager, Personnel and Training Manager
Marks & Spencer Plc
08.1984 - 08.1990
CIPD -
CIPD
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