At Honch, we track every senior HR leader stepping into a new role anywhere in the world. Already this month, more than 2,400 HR executives have taken on new positions outside the UK.

And that is on top of the HR moves we monitor every month across the UK.

If you sell HR technology, talent solutions, employee benefits, wellbeing platforms, leadership development, internal communications or global people operations support, these early days matter. New leaders spend their first 100 days reviewing partners, restructuring teams and setting people strategy for the year ahead.

Here are some of the standout appointments from the past few weeks, along with what they signal about where each organisation is heading.

Microsoft

Appointed: Ande Ferretti, VP People Consulting and Engagement (France and US)

Microsoft continues to scale globally while integrating thousands of new employees from recent acquisitions. Cloud, AI engineering and leadership development remain major priorities, supported by SAP SuccessFactors and Microsoft Viva across the organisation.

‍Why it matters: Microsoft is in a major period of cultural integration and HR system alignment. This creates strong opportunities for firms offering people analytics, engagement tools, DEI support, leadership development, wellbeing and large-scale HR transformation services.

Leach International Europe

Appointed: Karine Arias, Global HR Director (France)

Leach operates across aerospace, space and defence manufacturing with facilities in Sarralbe and Niort. The business is scaling production capacity and ramping up recruitment across operational and quality roles.

‍Why it matters: Talent, onboarding and workforce development are now mission-critical as Leach strengthens manufacturing. Ideal timing for recruitment optimisation, HRIS upgrades, training, compliance and quality-focused workforce solutions.

Verifone

Appointed: Aaida Costagliola, Vice President Human Resources (Global)

Verifone is modernising its HR function to support global operations across retail, payments and emerging biometric technologies. The company is upgrading HRIS, applicant tracking and payroll systems while enhancing DEI, leadership development and employer branding.

‍Why it matters: Verifone is in an active HR technology transformation cycle. Vendors offering digital HR tools, compliance support, employee engagement and international talent solutions will find a highly receptive environment.

Bata Group

Appointed: Stojanka Salatovic, VP HR Asia Pacific and Latin America (Switzerland)

Bata operates more than 5,300 stores with nearly 27,000 employees across Asia Pacific and LATAM. The business continues to invest in leadership development, DEI and digital upskilling through programmes such as the Bata Leaders of Tomorrow and eUniversity.

‍Why it matters: Bata’s decentralised HR model requires harmonised systems, scalable learning platforms and strong DEI governance. Providers in learning technology, talent mobility, regional HR infrastructure and digital workforce platforms have significant opportunity.

GoDaddy

Appointed: Melissa Ngo-Harris, VP Global Talent Acquisition (US)

GoDaddy continues to expand its AI, digital marketing and security offerings, creating new demand for specialised technical talent. The company is strengthening employer branding, DEI initiatives and data-driven hiring across global markets.

‍Why it matters: GoDaddy is reinforcing talent acquisition and workforce planning. Recruitment technology, AI talent sourcing, EVP consulting, employer branding support and diversity hiring solutions are clear areas of need.

Valantic

Appointed: Reza Moussavian, Chief People Officer (Germany)

Valantic is one of Europe’s fastest-growing digital transformation consultancies, with more than 4,300 employees across the region. The company faces intense competition for IT talent and is investing heavily in internal learning platforms, career development and diversity programmes.

‍Why it matters: Valantic is scaling quickly and deeply focused on talent pipelines, upskilling and employee experience. Ideal timing for learning providers, HR analytics vendors, coaching firms, DEI consultants and talent acquisition partners.

Puma Group

Appointed: Thomas John, VP People and Organisation (Germany)

Puma continues global expansion while navigating retail turnover and regional talent pressures. The company operates a sophisticated HR model powered by Workday, AI engagement tools and extensive learning and wellbeing programmes.

‍Why it matters: Puma is preparing for significant HR transformation and culture evolution. Opportunities exist around wellbeing, engagement analytics, leadership development, HR technology integration, Workday optimisation and workforce planning.

Körber Pharma

Appointed: Sabine Driehaus, VP Human Resources, Pharma Software (Germany)

Körber Pharma delivers complex manufacturing and software solutions to the pharmaceutical industry, requiring regulatory excellence, technical talent and global HR coordination. The company uses SAP SuccessFactors and invests heavily in compliance-driven workforce development.

‍Why it matters: HR transformation, global integration and talent acquisition for technical roles are high priorities. Strong opportunities for HR tech vendors, recruiting partners, learning platforms and cultural transformation specialists.

What This Means for You

This month’s global HR appointments highlight major themes shaping the people function worldwide.

• Digital HR transformation and system modernisation are accelerating
• Talent shortages, particularly in tech, are driving large-scale recruitment initiatives
• DEI, leadership development and employee experience are top priorities
• Global HR integration is becoming essential as organisations scale across regions
• AI-enabled people analytics and engagement tools are gaining rapid adoption

Each new appointment represents:

• A senior HR decision-maker with influence and budget
• A 100-day window before new suppliers and tools are locked in
• A chance to align your solution with their new strategy and priorities

See the Full Picture

At Honch, we track every senior HR leader, every month, across every global region. To see the full list of HR moves happening right now, take a free trial and access the complete picture.