Latest Opportunity

Most CPO roles come with a seat at the top table on paper. Far fewer come with a Chief Executive who genuinely wants a partner in shaping strategy, not just an executor of it — and fewer still come with a remit this broad, spanning HR, Property & Facilities, ESG and Internal Communications. This is one of those rarer opportunities, at a specialist, highly regulated financial services organisation employing c.1000 colleagues. This is not a role about keeping the HR function ticking over; it is about leading the people agenda through the next phase of maturity, post-integration. Our client has a genuine, values-led sense of purpose that runs through everything it does, with the customer experience sitting at the heart of every major decision, giving the business a clarity of mission that is rare in the sector, and it’s time to hand the next chapter to a new CPO.

This is a full Executive Committee seat, not a supporting function: principal adviser to the CEO, active co-author of business strategy, and owner of that breadth of remit, leading a sizeable team. Internal communications is used deliberately here, connecting every employee’s day-to-day role to the wider customer journey and to the outcomes customers experience — making this a genuinely commercial, not just cultural, part of the brief. You will join a well-integrated, collaborative Executive team that works effectively together and values challenge as much as consensus, led by a Chief Executive who is visibly invested in employee experience as a business imperative. The business is still on its journey following a period of significant organisational change, and the next CPO will not inherit a finished story — they will help write it, with real scope to leave a lasting mark on the organisation’s next chapter.

We are looking for a seasoned Chief People Officer ideally with direct experience of reporting into a CEO, or potentially a People Director ready to make their first move into a CPO seat, with the credibility to hold their own within an executive team. Candidates with a financial services background are strongly preferred; those from another closely regulated sector will also be considered.  You will bring a track record of leading multi-disciplinary functions and of steering organisations through transformation or post-merger cultural integration, along with the commercial acumen and external network to bring fresh thinking and benchmarking to the Executive team and to the organisation’s strategy and governance boards. Working knowledge of AI, and of its implications for skills and talent, would also serve you well here, ideally backed by direct experience of pilots or early adoption. Experience managing union partnerships, including pay negotiations, is a strong advantage. Just as important as any of this is who you are day to day: someone with genuine conviction and the confidence to influence decisively at the top table, balanced with the fairness and warmth to bring others with you. On offer in return: Board-level standing, SMF7 accountability, and an attractive executive package including strong bonus potential, car allowance, enhanced pension and family healthcare.

Hybrid working pattern: 3 days in Bristol (parking available) and 2 days remote.

Preferred start of December 2026/January 2027.

The client’s identity will only be shared with candidates progressing through initial screening. If this resonates, please do proceed to share your CV with Debbie Flowers directly at d.flowers@vanahrresourcing.co.uk

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