8 Key Insights from Recruiting a Chief People Officer in the UK

At Collingwood Executive Search, we recently partnered with a leading UK trade organisation to recruit a visionary Chief People Officer (CPO). This was not a typical HR leadership role – it required someone who could shape culture, build strategic HR capability, and represent the industry at the highest levels, including government lobbying.

After more than 20 years in executive search, this assignment stood out as one of the most unique and rewarding projects we’ve delivered. Here’s what we learned from successfully appointing this critical role.

The Challenge

The CEO wanted a very different type of Chief People Officer than the organisation had ever had before. The role required:

• Building a high-performing culture and developing a “best in class” HR team to support an ambitious business strategy.
• Collaborating with senior HR leaders across member organisations to address industry-wide talent challenges and create innovative solutions.
• Representing the industry through government lobbying and advocacy.

This combination of responsibilities made the role highly strategic and influential – far beyond traditional HR leadership.

8 Key Learnings from the Assignment

1. The HR Community Is Under Pressure

We found a significant number of outstanding senior HR professionals currently out of work. This reflects the volatility in HR leadership roles and the growing need for resilience and adaptability in today’s market.

2. Many Senior HR Leaders Are Career Contractors

A large proportion of candidates operate on a project basis, with short tenures that often don’t allow for measurable long-term impact. Organisations seeking transformational HR leadership should prioritise candidates with proven track records in permanent roles.

3. Remote Working Is Now the Norm

Most candidates were accustomed to working remotely for the majority of the week. This shift requires organisations to rethink engagement strategies and leadership visibility.

4. Senior HR Talent Comes at a Premium

The UK market for senior HR professionals is expensive. Many target candidates commanded base salaries between £200,000 and £350,000, plus exceptional benefits. This reinforces the need for clear ROI when investing in top-tier HR leadership.

5. The UK Has Exceptional HR Leaders

Despite market challenges, the UK talent pool is rich with highly capable HR professionals who bring strategic insight, commercial acumen, and transformational leadership experience.

6. HR Leadership Is Still Female-Dominated

The majority of senior HR leaders we engaged with were women – a trend that continues to shape the diversity conversation in executive leadership.

7. HR Has Fully Transitioned to Business Partnering

Traditional “personnel” roles are virtually extinct. Today’s HR leaders are strategic partners, deeply embedded in business decision-making and organisational growth.

8. We Loved This Assignment

It was a privilege to add value to our client and showcase a diverse range of HR leadership profiles. The successful candidate is now in place, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make.

What This Means for Organisations

Recruiting a Chief People Officer in today’s market requires more than just filling a vacancy – it demands a strategic approach, deep market insight, and access to the right networks. At Collingwood Executive Search, we specialise in helping organisations secure exceptional HR leadership talent across the UK.

Looking to Recruit HR Leaders?

If you’re planning to hire a Chief People Officer or other senior HR executives, contact Collingwood Executive Search today. Our expertise in executive search ensures you find the right leader to drive culture, strategy, and growth.