How do you prove the true value of HR so the business takes you seriously – and appoints you as Chief People Officer?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Leah Carnegie, Chief People Officer at Lottoland. Leah shares her journey from VP of People to CPO, explaining how she made sure HR wasn’t just seen as a support function but as a vital business partner.

As part of our special CPO/CHRO series – where each guest answers the same nine listener-chosen questions – Leah becomes the 7th CPO to share her story. Along the way, she offers candid insights into job titles, the mindset shift from “doing” to “thinking,” and the emotional weight of senior HR roles.

You’ll hear Leah’s thoughts on:

• The moment she realised HR had to be at the top table – and how she secured her seat
• The difference between VP/Director roles and the remit of a CPO
• Why business acumen is non-negotiable for HR leaders
• How coaching skills, feedback, and psychological safety underpin her leadership style
• The emotional challenges of the role – and the wellbeing practices that help
• Practical advice for aspiring and first-time CPOs

Whether you’re aiming for a CPO/CHRO role, or want to build confidence and influence in your current one, there’s plenty of inspiration to take from Leah’s experience.

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
• Connect with Leah Carnegie on LinkedIn
• Disruptive HR resources and HRBP workshops
• IDEO podcast
• Hyper Island

• Episode 78:5 Tips to Get Useful Feedback at Work to Help Your HR/People Career
• Episode 99:How Mediation Skills Can Help You Resolve Conflict at Work (With Pete Colby)
• Episode 53:Why Coaching Skills Can Help Your HR Career (& How to Develop Them), with Charlie Warshawski
• Episode 130:Build Managers’ Confidence and Skills With ‘The Coaching Two-Step’, with Jude Slater

(Please note the links shared are affiliate links, so, Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you choose to purchase them)

• HR Disrupted: It’s time for something different – Lucy Adams
• The HR Change Toolkit: Your complete guide to making it happen – Lucy Adams

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

Could an interim Chief People Officer or interim Chief Human Resources Officer role be your perfect career move? In this episode, we explore what the job is really like, the skills that help you succeed, and how to decide if it’s the right path for you.

HR Coffee Time Host, Fay Wallis, is joined by Dotty Day, an experienced interim CPO, strategy consultant, and founder of Nu Leaf (supporting ambitious businesses with fractional HR leadership and practical, people-first strategies). She’s also the founder of gighrly, a thriving business club for HR freelancers and consultants.

As part of our special CPO/CHRO series – where each guest answers the same nine listener-chosen questions – Dotty becomes the 6th CPO to share her insights. She talks about her unconventional path to the role, the realities of interim work, and valuable advice for all ambitious HR professionals.

You’ll hear Dotty’s thoughts on:

1. Why developing your commercial acumen should include learning from marketing as well as finance
2. How to say “no” without damaging relationships – and why it matters for avoiding burnout
3. A practical influencing strategy to get buy-in for your ideas before the meeting even starts
4. Avoiding HR jargon and using the language of the business
5. The mindset and adaptability needed to thrive in interim work

Whether you’re aiming for a CPO/CHRO role, considering interim work, or just want to strengthen your leadership skills, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation.

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
4. Connect with Dotty Day on LinkedIn
5. Visit Nu Leaf– Dotty’s consultancy
6. Visit gighrly– Dotty’s business community for HR freelancers and consultants

1. Episode 7:What To Do When There Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day
2. Episode 86:How to Stop Other People Taking Credit for Your Ideas in Meetings
3. Episode 103:Career Options in HR – Is Contracting the Perfect Fit for You? (With Eleanor Minshall)
4. Episode 123:Avoid Burnout – How to Spot Signs of Stress & Take Action (With Dr Jo Burrell)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

What if there’s no Chief People Officer role in your organisation - but you know it needs one, and you think you’re the right person for it?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Victoria Pounder, Chief People Officer at Moore Kingston Smith - a multi-disciplinary firm providing audit, accountancy, advisory and tax services to a diverse range of clients. Victoria shares her inspiring journey of growing with the firm over 14 years - from being the first Head of HR to HR Director, and eventually making the case for a brand-new Chief People Officer role that she then stepped into.

She talks openly about what the step up has been like so far, how she’s built influence and trust over time, and how she’s stayed focused on culture during rapid growth and change. There’s plenty to take away - especially if you’re aiming for a CPO role yourself, or want to lead with more impact and confidence in your current one.

[00:00] Welcome and introduction to Victoria Pounder

[01:00] Creating a CPO role from scratch

[03:20] Building the business case and going through the panel interview process

[04:03] The differences between being an HRD and a CPO

[06:40] The importance of influence in the CPO role

[08:51] How trust helped her lead behind the scenes

[12:32] Key skills and habits that have helped her succeed

[14:45] How a non-HR project changed her perspective

[18:17] Culture, growth and protecting values under pressure

[23:06] Balancing career, family and mental wellbeing

[25:19] The role of HR communities

[27:08] Advice for aspiring CPOs

[28:22] Final advice for new CPOs

[37:16] Book recommendation and conclusion

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR leadership development programme
• Connect with Victoria Pounder on LinkedIn
• Evolving HR – ‘Getting the Board on Board’ webinar
• The HR Ninjas on LinkedIn
• The HR Ninjas Facebook Group

HR Disrupted by Lucy Adams (Amazon affiliate link – Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you choose to purchase the book via this link)

• Episode 18: Future-Proofing Your Career, with Karen Moran
• Episode 136: How to Shape a Winning Workplace Culture When You Work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson & Paula Brockwell
• Build Your Confidence Playlist: A collection of HR Coffee Time podcast episodes to help you overcome self-doubt and build your confidence

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

What makes a job application for the Chief People Officer role stand out, how do you balance being strategic and operational in HR, and why is compassion such an important leadership strength?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Funmi Onamusi, Chief People Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Funmi shares her inspiring and non-traditional journey to becoming a CPO - including the bold, values-led approach she took when applying for the role, and the importance of carving out strategic thinking time once she got there.

She also opens up about the pressure that can come with being a Black woman in senior leadership, and how she has channelled that pressure into role modelling compassionate leadership for others.

Whether you're aiming for a CPO role, want to be more strategic, or become a more impactful leader, you’ll come away with practical ideas, honest reflections, and real-life insight into what it takes to lead well in HR at the highest level.

[00:00] Welcome and introduction to Funmi Onamusi

[04:06] Funmi’s route to becoming a CPO

[06:50] Funmi’s job application approach

[09:03] How she prepared for the interview

[13:33] The difference between the HR Director & CPO roles

[18:45] Advice on how to move from operational to strategic

[23:33] How the role was different to what she had expected

[27:55] Maintaining mental wellbeing in such a demanding role

[34:12] The skills, habits and practices that have helped her succeed

[41:14] The biggest challenges Funmi has experienced as a CPO

[49:56] Funmi’s advice for aspiring CPOs

[56:52] Courses and qualifications that have been useful for Funmi

[01:00:00] Final thoughts

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools, and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

Which skills really make the difference at the top of the HR profession?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, you'll meet the brilliant Jane Beeston, Chief People Officer at Colart. With nearly 40 years of experience in HR – spanning generalist roles, transformation, and international work – Jane has a huge amount of insight to share.

We learn from her about the shift from HR Director to CPO, what the role really involves, and how she’s built strong relationships with her CEO and board. Jane talks openly about the communication skills she’s had to develop, how coaching training changed the way she works, and why staying curious (and occasionally sticking her nose into things!) has helped her make a bigger impact.

Whether you’re working towards a CPO role or simply want to grow in confidence and influence, there’s plenty to take away from Jane’s story.

[00:00] Welcome & introduction to Jane

[02:00] Jane’s path to becoming a CPO

[04:00] Why the CEO relationship really matters

[07:00] What changes when you move into a CPO role

[08:00] What a board does (and how to work with them)

[10:30] How Jane improved her communication skills

[12:00] Staying connected across a global team

[14:00] Getting your message to stick across the business

[15:00] Why coaching skills have made such a difference

[16:00] How curiosity helps you grow and influence

[18:00] Common challenges in the CPO role

[19:00] How Jane approaches communication in practice

[22:00] Looking after your wellbeing in a demanding role

[24:00] You don’t have to do it all alone

[25:00] Advice for anyone who wants to be a CPO one day

[27:30] Jane’s experience of cross-functional projects

[30:00] Prioritising what matters most

[32:00] If you’re stepping into a CPO role: own it!

[34:00] Courses and continuous learning that helped

[36:00] Learning to work across different countries

[37:30] Final thoughts and thank you

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website
• Fay’s HR leadership programme – Inspiring HR Leadership
• Connect with Jane Beeston on LinkedIn



• Episode 53: Why Coaching Skills Can Help Your HR Career (and How to Develop Them) with Charlie Warshawski
• Episode 130: Build Managers' Confidence and Skills with the Coaching Two-Step with Jude Slater
• Episode 43: The One Thing That Will Boost Your Resilience Throughout Your HR Career with Tom Cleary
• Episode 32: How to Write Work Emails That Get Results with Kim Arnold
• Episode 95: How to Build Trust in a Hybrid World Through Email with Kim Arnold

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

What does it really take to become a successful Chief People Officer – and how can you prepare for the step up?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Kanika Mehra, an inspiring CPO with over 20 years of global HR experience. Having worked in fast-paced environments ranging from global giants like Amazon to scaling organisations going through rapid transformation, Kanika shares what helped her make the move into a CPO role – and what it’s really like once you get there.

From building commercial acumen and using data to tell compelling stories, to managing pressure, leading through change and staying true to your values – this conversation is packed with practical insights to support you on your own HR leadership journey.

[00:00] Introduction

[02:12] Meet Kanika Mehra

[02:25] How she got her first CPO role

[03:23] The role LinkedIn played – and how to improve your profile

[07:00] The differences between being a Head of People or HR Director vs a CPO

[09:27] Making big decisions

[14:02] Learning to lead without having all the answers

[17:50] Developing confidence and decisiveness

[22:51] Why business acumen is essential – and how to build it

[27:45] Becoming confident with data and storytelling

[33:12] Her biggest challenge as a CPO

[34:03] Balancing employee experience with business priorities

[37:59] Maintaining mental wellbeing in a high-pressure role

[40:08] The importance of values alignment

[42:38] Advice for anyone who’d like to be a CPO

[45:41] Advice for first-time CPOs

[49:57] Courses and books that have helped Kanika succeed

[52:36] Wrap-up and other HR Coffee Time podcast episode recommendations

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website
• Connect with Kanika Mehra on LinkedIn

(Book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them.)

• My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future – Indra Nooyi
• Data-Driven HR: How to Use Analytics and Metrics to Drive Performance – Bernard Marr
• Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon – Colin Bryar and Bill Carr
• Excellence in People Analytics – Jonathan Ferrar and David Green

• Episode 22: How to handle conflict at work
• Episode 31: 3 little-known LinkedIn features which will help you get your next job
• Episode 35: Helping teams thrive with personal user manuals
• Episode 47: Discovering your values to help your HR career
• Episode 106: 7 types of posts to share on LinkedIn that will help your HR career

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to succeed as a Chief People Officer - or whether stepping into the role might be right for you - this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help.

Host Fay Wallis is joined by John Scrooby, Chief People Officer at tech company Masabi. John shares honest and thought-provoking insights about what the role really involves, the challenges it brings, and how to navigate them. From taking ownership beyond your remit, to managing your wellbeing in a high-pressure role, and showing up as a values-driven, emotionally honest leader - this is a must-listen for anyone aiming to grow their HR leadership career.

John also reflects on his journey from his tech career to HR, explains what helped him make the transition, and gives advice for anyone looking to lead with impact.

[00:00] Introduction

[00:54] Why this series of episodes exists

[03:25] Meet John Scrooby

[03:55] How John got his first CPO role

[08:41] What he thought HR was - vs what he discovered

[10:39] The difference between being a Head of HR or HR Director and a CPO

[14:37] Advice for HR professionals nervous about stepping up

[17:20] Why peer support matters

[18:10] Vulnerability, leadership and mental health

[25:07] How John maintains his mental wellbeing

[29:43] Skills and habits that have helped him succeed

[32:15] John’s advice for anyone who would like to be a CPO one day

[36:21] His biggest challenge as a CPO

[41:24] How to get invited in as an HR leader

[44:51] His top piece of advice for new CPOs

[46:38] Courses or qualifications—are they essential?

[49:08] Conclusion

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with John Scrooby on LinkedIn
• People Before Strategy: A New Role for the CHRO (HBR article)
• University of Cambridge Judge Business School – CHRO Programme

(Book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them).

• HR Coffee Time’s top book recommendations to thrive in your HR/People career
• Work Rules! by Laszlo Bock
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

Are you aiming for the top HR role - but not sure what being a Chief People Officer (CPO) actually involves, or how to get there?

In this special launch episode of the new series of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD. Together, they demystify the CPO / CHRO role - exploring what it is, how it differs from other senior-level HR roles (like ‘Head of People’ and ‘HR Director’), and why it’s becoming more common across UK organisations.

David shares insight into:

Whether you’re already in a senior HR role or are simply curious about what it takes to reach the top, this episode is packed with practical insights and career guidance.

[00:00] Introduction to the new series

[01:47] Meet David D’Souza, Director of Profession at the CIPD

[04:03] What is the Chief People Officer (CPO) role?

[05:54] Why CPO roles are becoming more common

[07:21] How the role of the CPO is evolving

[10:04] Challenges and responsibilities of CPOs

[13:13] Work-life balance and C-suite expectations

[18:15] Skills for success as a CPO

[20:56] Understanding governance

[24:00] How to build knowledge and confidence for the role

[23:56] CIPD resources and support

[33:38] Wrap-up and useful episode links

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with David D’Souza on LinkedIn
• CIPD Membership
• CIPD Experience Assessment
• CIPD Learning Hub
• CIPD Local Branches
• CIPD Online Community
• CIPD Aspiring HRD Programme
• CIPD Mentoring Scheme

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

This episode is a little different from usual, as I’ll be sharing some exciting updates about the future of the podcast. After three and a half years of releasing episodes every week, I’m taking a short sabbatical to prepare for the next stage of

HR Coffee Time - and I’d love your input to help shape it!

[00:00] Why I'm taking a short break – Why now feels like the right time to pause and refresh.

[02:10] The two key challenges I keep seeing in HR careers – How a lack of confidence, clarity, and role models is holding HR professionals back.

[04:49] How conversations helped shape my next steps – The advice and insights that led to the idea of evolving the podcast.

[09:05] From book idea to podcast interviews – How an unexpected conversation with a fellow career coach changed my thinking.

[10:57] Why HR Coffee Time is evolving instead of stopping – A reassuring conversation that helped me realise I don’t need to start a whole new podcast.

[12:39] Batch recording & smarter time management – How I plan to make the podcast more time-efficient while improving the quality of content.

[15:02] I’d love your help! – How you can share your thoughts on the interview questions and suggest great Chief People Officers (CPOs) and Chief HR Officers (CHROs) to be guests on the show.

• HR Coffee Time episode 123: Avoid Burnout: How to Spot Signs of Stress and Take Action, with Dr Jo Burrell
• HR Coffee Time episode 32: Diversity & Inclusion at Work – 7 Mistakes to Avoid (& What to Do Instead), with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey
• Nicola Semple's podcast: The Career Confidence Podcast
• Dr Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey's podcast: The Element of Inclusion
• Verena Hefti's podcast: Big Careers, Small Children

• Take the HR Coffee Time Next Chapter Survey – Help shape the podcast by sharing your thoughts on the questions I should ask my future guests. You can find the survey here: bit.ly/HRCTNEXTCHAPTER
• Recommend a Guest – Do you know an inspiring Chief People Officer or Chief HR Officer? Or are you one yourself? I’d love to hear from you!
• Get in Touch –
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at [email protected]

If you’d like to be the first to hear when the new format of HR Coffee Time is live, sign up for the HR Coffee Time newsletter! You’ll also get career and leadership tips straight to your inbox, along with updates on new podcast episodes and helpful resources.

The podcast will be back at the end of April 2025 with a fresh new format. In the meantime, I hope my journey of refining this idea encourages you to explore your own. Sometimes, the best way to gain clarity is to start talking about it.

I can’t wait to bring you new conversations, and I look forward to hearing what you think. See you soon!

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR

After completing your CIPD qualification, it can be hard to decide what training to invest in next. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares four valuable and perhaps surprising training options to help you develop skills that will elevate your HR career: mediation, coaching, negotiation, and facilitation.

You’ll hear extracts from earlier episodes featuring expert guests who explain each skill and its benefits. Fay has personally attended training with all the featured experts, so she can confidently recommend their insights and advice.

Whether you’re considering what to focus on for your professional development this year or just want to understand how these skills can help you, this episode is packed with ideas and inspiration to guide your next steps.

[00:00] Introduction and overview

[03:38] Mediation skills with Pete Colby (Episode 99)

[08:07] Coaching skills with Charlie Warshawski (Episode 53)

[13:59] Negotiation skills with Simon Duncan (Episode 115)

[21:23] Facilitation skills with Kirsty Lewis (Episode 110)

[26:43] Closing thoughts

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• The Essential HR Planner
• Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

• Connect with Pete Colby on LinkedIn
• Connect with Charlie Warshawski on LinkedIn
• Connect with Simon Duncan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kirsty Lewis on LinkedIn
• Mediation skills - Pete Colby’s website: Pragmatism
• Coaching skills - Charlie Warshawski’s website: Love Your Coaching
• Facilitation skills – Kirsty Lewis’ website: School of Facilitation
• Gartner’s Model of a World-Class CHRO
• The CIPD’s Profession Map

• HR Coffee Time’s ‘Build Your Professional Skills’ Podcast Playlist
• Episode 99: How mediation skills can help you resolve conflict at work, with Pete Colby
• Episode 53: Why coaching skills can help your HR career (& how to develop them), with Charlie Warshawski
• Episode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Kirsty Lewis
• Episode 115: Why negotiation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Simon Duncan
• Episode 130: Build managers’ confidence with ‘The Coaching Two-Step’, with Jude Sclater

(Book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them).

• HR Coffee Time’s top book recommendations to thrive in your HR/People career
• ‘Think Like a Coach: Empower your team through everyday conversations’ by Jude Sclater

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.

Inspiring HR