Middlemore

High-performing HR functions are rarely built through individual excellence alone. The most effective central functions operate as interconnected ecosystems, where HR, Reward, Talent, Operations, Finance, and Transformation teams work in alignment against shared organisational priorities. Yet many businesses still operate with fragmented structures, overlapping accountabilities, and inconsistent decision-making across their people functions. In our latest article, we explore how organisations can move beyond siloed structures to create integrated central functions that are better equipped to drive performance, agility, and long-term growth. An important conversation for HR and business leaders navigating growth, change, and transformation. https://lnkd.in/eaRKqkhB #HR #HumanResources #CentralFunctions #Insights

Beth Miller is handling an exciting, new retained search on behalf of a leading Investment Management firm who are in the market for an Early Career Recruitment Manager for approximately 16 month on a fixed term contract. This is a high-impact role focused on shaping and delivering an exceptional early careers strategy across multiple European locations, with responsibility for attracting, recruiting and onboarding top-tier investment talent including intern, summer placement and associate hiring. This is a really visible position in the organsiation working hand-in-glove with key business leaders, and a top-tier HR team. The compensation banding for this role is c.£80,000 - £100,000 plus healthy contract completion bonus, hybrid working and excellent employee benefits. For more information please reach out to beth via beth.miller@middlemore.co.uk or make an application via the link below | Middlemore https://lnkd.in/eQZUfn4W

Check out this latest opportunity from Anna Davies! Anna has partnered with a highly respected Financial Services business to appoint an experienced HR Operations Manager into a pivotal transformation role within the People function. This organisation offers a genuinely collaborative, transparent and high-performing HR culture. The successful individual will be visible, relationship-oriented and energised by the opportunity to build a modern, respected and value-adding HR Operations function. Hybrid working applies, with an expectation of 3 days per week in the London office. Find out more and apply below https://lnkd.in/edtPVXhJ

Employee benefits are only effective when employees actually understand, value, and use them. Yet many HR teams are still battling the same frustrations: - Low engagement with benefits - Poor communication and visibility - One-size-fits-all offerings - Administrative complexity - Difficulty proving ROI Recent research from the CIPD found that 22% of employers still have no clear objectives for their benefits strategy, making it harder to measure impact on retention, engagement, and performance. This latest article explores 5 common employee benefits frustrations and, more importantly, what HR leaders can do to overcome them. A worthwhile read for HR and Reward professionals looking to create benefits strategies that are more meaningful, measurable, and aligned to employee needs. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e2qikGjg #HR #HumanResources #Benefits #WorkplaceBenefits

Check out this latest opportunity from Jenna Stocks! Jenna has partnered with a highly acquisitive global financial services organisation to appoint an International Head of Reward, supporting an ambitious growth strategy across Europe. This is a fantastic international opportunity, ideally based in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, or Germany - though there is flexibility across Europe. The role requires an EU base and will operate largely remotely. The ideal candidate will bring strong M&A experience, preferably within an FCA-regulated environment. However, professionals from PE-backed organisations outside of financial services will also be considered. The business is open to both high-potential “step-up” candidates and more experienced reward leaders, provided they demonstrate a strong appetite for growth and professional development. The role is positioned as a potential successor to the Global Reward Director. To find out more, get in touch with Jenna at jenna.stocks@middlemore.co.uk

Middlemore have been retained on a search for a HR Transformation Lead, focused on SuccessFactors within an HR Operations environment, joining a genuinely impressive consultancy which has positioned itself as a trusted thinking partner to Chief People Officers. The role offers a largely remote-based setup (remote contract), with approximately two days per week in the North West, supporting a varied and high-profile client portfolio. Salary IRO £80,000 plus annual bonus. We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality of work this consultancy delivers as their client base mirrors ours, particularly supporting organisations through HR transformation, HR shared services redesign, and system-enabled change. Their approach is thoughtful, commercially grounded, and very people-centric (which our clients will attest to!) This opportunity would suit someone from a HR Operations or HR Shared Services background who enjoys transformation work and has been involved in a SuccessFactors implementation or broader HR systems rollout. That could be through operational leadership, project delivery, PMO, or process transformation. Importantly, this is **not** a technical systems implementation role. The focus is on someone who understands how HR functions operate in practice and can help translate operational priorities into effective delivery across transformation programmes We’d be particularly interested in speaking with individuals who bring experience across: • HR transformation and operating model change • HR operations or shared services • HR project or programme delivery • HRIS optimisation or SuccessFactors roadmap activity • Process improvement and people change A genuinely interesting opportunity to join a consultancy that is differentiated in the market, working closely with senior HR leaders on complex and high-impact transformation initiatives. If this could be of interest, or if there’s someone in your network you’d recommend, please reach out to Mark Etherington via mark.etherington@middlemore.co.uk

Leadership succession is climbing the strategic agenda and for good reason. New research shows only 14% of organisations currently have a formal succession strategy in place, highlighting a real opportunity for businesses to strengthen leadership resilience and future-proof growth. For HR leaders in Financial Services, this is a chance to take a more proactive approach to leadership planning. As regulation, digital transformation and AI continue to reshape the sector, organisations that invest early in future leadership capability will be best positioned to adapt and grow. The most forward-thinking businesses are already moving beyond traditional replacement planning - focusing instead on building diverse leadership pipelines, creating clearer internal mobility pathways, and aligning talent strategies to long-term business priorities. It’s an important conversation, and this piece from People Management magazine offers valuable insight into why succession planning is becoming a critical differentiator for organisations navigating change. How is your organisation evolving its approach to leadership succession? https://lnkd.in/dGtwrK_N #HR #HumanResources #People #PeopleManagement

For a function that prides itself on rigour and fairness, reward in financial services remains surprisingly narrow in focus. Base salary still dominates the conversation, yet it rarely reflects the full picture of value, performance, or long-term alignment. At the same time, expectations are shifting and many HR professionals are left questioning whether the systems they design are working for them. The result? A growing disconnect between reward strategy and employee experience. We explore why HR leaders need to look beyond base pay and how a more sophisticated, strategically aligned approach to total reward can strengthen engagement, retention, and credibility. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dzAS5hQJ #HR #HumanResources #TotalReward #FinancialServices

Final call for applications. Today is the last day to apply for our CPO Accelerator Programme, delivered in partnership with the City HR Association. Designed for senior HR leaders and HR Directors, the programme provides the practical insight, perspective, and strategic capability needed to step into a Chief People Officer role. If you’re ready to take that next step, or know someone who is, you’ll find the application form in the comments. Thank you to everyone who has applied so far. The level of interest and quality of applicants has been incredibly encouraging.