MOST PROGRESSIVE WORKPLACE LEADER
The European Finals event takes place tomorrow, and so the countdown is almost over! Today, we are going to be focusing on our fifth and final category – ‘Most Progressive Workplace Leader’. Here we’ll take a sneak peek at each of the individuals that have been successfully shortlisted to receive the award, to be given on Thursday 7th December at the Museum of London.
Tomorrow we will be welcoming three very different, yet innovative, game-changing leaders who are transforming their work environment or culture through innovative staff engagement strategies or using technology and/or digital tools to inspire others to create tomorrow’s future workplace. The following three finalists will be competing for the award, as well as the prize of a once in a lifetime, all expenses paid trip to Silicon Valley to tour some of the most influential tech companies in the world and meet Apple Co-founder, Steve Wozniak, for a private lunch.
So, let’s take a closer look at each of our finalists in the ‘Most Progressive Workplace Leader’ category…
- Greg Reed, Homeserve
With 20 years’ international Banking experience, Greg joined HomeServe Membership in 2012, as Chief Marketing Officer, becoming CEO in June 2017. He leads a business with 3,000 People, including 1,000 engineers, with 2.2m Customers and a turnover of £326m. Upon joining, HomeServe had just come through a regulatory, reputational and commercial near-death experience. Greg has helped a new HomeServe emerge; a commercially powerful business built on strong principles with the right culture of committed people delivering effortless service to customers.
When asked what made him come forward and apply to the awards, Greg said: “Normally, I prefer any recognition to focus on our people as they are the ones on the frontline delivering our services to our customers. But a number of our people approached me suggesting I apply for the Talent Unleashed awards, and so that support, combined with the calibre of the awards and entrants, encouraged me to apply. I figure I must be doing a few things right for them to think I could be considered for the Leadership category. HomeServe Membership has undergone transformational change over the past few years, and there is really no better time to tell our story. It has been a privilege for me to be part of this, and now, to be at the helm of the company which continues to grow.”
When asked what it would mean to win the award, Greg said: “There are some strong fellow nominees in this category, who have achieved great things in their field. But it would certainly mean the world to me to see the hard work from all of our people recognised with this award – as a leader can only be considered progressive thanks to the efforts of the whole team, and it is really them who have been instrumental in building the special culture we have at HomeServe Membership.”
- Linda Jones, Pinsent Masons
Linda is a partner and Head of Employment & Reward at international law firm, Pinsent Masons LLP. She also leads Project Sky, the firm’s programme to achieve a better gender balance in their partnership and senior leadership team. Linda is passionate about diversity and inclusion and has recently led the firm’s acquisition of D&I consultancy Brook Graham.
Commenting on the awards, Linda said: “I chose to enter the awards because it’s very helpful for us to get recognition for the work we’re doing on workplace inclusion and progressive leadership – the external validation helps us to win hearts and minds internally and also helps enhance our reputation with clients.
“Winning the award would be a fantastic endorsement of the work I’ve been doing on gender equality within our partnership for the last 5 years and the amazing support I’ve had from the senior leadership at Pinsent Masons for that work.”
- Kirsty Styles, Tech North
Until 2016, Kirsty worked as a campaigning tech journalist, editor and award-winning podcaster in London, but she recently headed home to head up talent and skills for government-backed Tech North. It’s her job to understand the region’s ‘digital skills crisis’ and work with others to address it, and she’s already been recognised in the Northern Power Women Future List 2017. Her work has included creating the Northern Voices spokesperson training network to make women in the industry more visible.
For more information about the awards and for a full list of the EMEA finalists, visit www.talentunleashedawards.com