April was another active month for HR leadership changes in the UK, offering fresh opportunities for HR solution providers. Honch tracked 2,600 new HR leaders stepping into influential roles, creating prime moments to engage these decision-makers as they reassess strategies, suppliers, and budgets.

2,600 New HR Leaders: Ready for New Partnerships

Here are just a few of the key leadership appointments from last month:

• EasyPark: Eve Watt, VP People, Technology & Payments
• Sanofi: Tom Hughes, Digital Experience Lead – People & Culture
• Family Building Society: Rebecca Upton, Director of People and L&D
• Orchard Care Homes: Fran Galbraith, Director of People & Talent
• Butternut Box: Jasmine Hudson, Chief People Officer
• GroupM: Jacinta Brennan, Chief People Officer
• Victoria Beckham Beauty: Heidi Williams, Global Director of Education & Training
• Melrose Industries: Stephanie Jenkins, VP of Reward
• Corinthian Sports: Sarah Stina, HR Director
• Torbay Pharma: Dawn Sowerby, Chief People Officer

Promotions Creating Strategic Opportunities (1,825 in April)

Senior HR promotions are equally critical, as newly promoted leaders gain expanded authority and budget control. Notable promotions include:

• Experian: Rachel Duncan, Global Reward Director
• Bank of China: Sabina Wickes, VP of HR Operations
• Howden: Kirk Southern, Group Chief People Officer
• United Living Group: Sean Luchmun, Chief SHEQ & People & Culture Officer
• BT Group: Michelle Griffiths, People Relations Director
• Dogs Trust: Kathy Nash, People Director
• Platform Housing Group: Kate Hunter, Director of People & Culture

Funding Fuels New HR Budgets

April saw 113 companies getting new funding, opening new HR budgets at growing companies:

• Epoch Biodesign: £16 million (Series A)
• Quantexa: £140 million (Series F)
• Maxion Therapeutics: £58 million (Series A)
• Alloyed: £37 million (Series B)
• Swap: £35 million (Series B)

These businesses represent high-value targets as they expand their HR capabilities and scale.

High-Growth Companies Keep Expanding

710 UK companies actively expanded their teams in April, highlighting ongoing demand for HR solutions to support growth.

Key HR Trends in April

April’s HR conversations highlighted emerging needs and opportunities, including:

• Employee Mental Health Programmes: 682 companies
• Employee Volunteering Programmes: 993 companies
• Learning & Development (L&D): 1,036 companies
• New Office Spaces: 384 companies
• International Expansion: 265 companies

Capture These Opportunities with Honch

These moves are from one month alone - Honch continuously monitors HR trends and appointments, enabling you to engage precisely when decision-makers are open to new solutions.

Ready to connect with HR leaders exactly when they’re evaluating new partnerships?

Start your Honch trial today.

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