Jean has had a distinguished Human Resources career, but is probably most widely known for the global success of the ‘people’ aspects of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which included the mobilisation of the UK’s largest peace-time workforce of 200,000 including the universally acclaimed 70,000 Games Makers. Jean was there from the beginning when there was only a staff of 20.
It was from the success in her role as Chief People Officer (CPO), Workforce and Accreditation that Jean received her OBE and awards from the IOC and IPC for her outstanding contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
Jean has been and is working with a number of life science companies accompanying them through different phases of growth, developing HR infrastructures, embedding governance structures and working with the leadership team to develop a culture and reward frameworks to support a fast paced business.
Jean has worked for a number of heritage brands, the first being as a graduate trainee at Ford Motor Company, working in labour relations. Following those formative years she worked for the Prudential where she led significant transformation programmes. She then became the CPO for egg:plc, the first UK on-line Bank and subsequently became CPO for Marks and Spencer plc.
Since founding and becoming CEO of Chanzo in 2013, Jean has continued to work alongside CEO’s across multiple stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sector. Outside of mega events which includes non-sporting events such as Dubai Expo 2020, her current assignments include:
Working with the CEO and Board of a clinical artificial intelligence company over an 18-month period, to change the trajectory of the business post IPO, which led to a significant increase in share price. Chanzo advised on the redesign of the organisation, People and Governance framework to ensure they were sufficiently robust to allow the organisation to achieve the stability, growth and performance necessary to propel it to its next stage of development, as well as build a performance culture and embedded a strong communications and engagement approach.
Executive coaching of a member of the C-suite in a government sponsored clinical research company.
Working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) at Ministerial level to create a high performing ‘Sprint‘ team of experts to support the turnaround of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programme as part of the UK’s efforts to combat Covid-19.
Advising one of the leading Formula 1 racing teams on their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion journey - a sport and topic Jean is most passionate about.
Jean continues to develop an extensive and diverse Board portfolio including until recently Non-Executive Director at J Sainsbury’s plc -FTSE100, where she was Chairperson of the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Committee, and with current Board positions held at Capri Holdings Ltd (Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo & Versace) (NYSE), where she is Chair of the Compensation and Talent Committee, and Hakluyt & Co Ltd, where she is also a member of the Remuneration Committee.