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Episode Transcript

About

The podcast episode emphasizes the crucial role of Chief People Officers (CPOs) in aligning HR agendas with business strategy. Key points stress the use of data analytics to advocate for business-oriented initiatives and build trust with leaders. Syreeta Brown, Group Chief People Officer at Virgin Money, highlights the importance of understanding the business landscape and prioritizing initiatives effectively.

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Syreeta Brown

Syreeta Brown is currently Group Chief People & Communications Officer at Virgin Money UK PLC reporting directly to the CEO and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.  She was appointed to the role in November 2021.  Prior to joining Virgin Money Syreeta was a Managing Director at the US Global bank, Citi, and led the HR function for the Global Functions and Operations and Technology business in Europe, Middle East and Africa region.  In this role Syreeta was responsible for the People Strategy and HR practices regionally for 20,000 employees (Global Functions covers Risk, Finance, Legal, Compliance, HR, Internal Audit, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Security Investigative Services, AML).

Prior to joining Citi Syreeta was a HR Director at British Telecom Group PLC having joined as a graduate.  She worked across various businesses in her 12 years there in a number of roles across the HR generalist and Centre of Excellence space (Performance Management, Resourcing and Talent Management).

Syreeta has been a Board Trustee for the Access All Areas Theatre (2016-2019) – a Theatre company for learning disabled artists based in Hackney, London and sits on the ‘Panel of Influential Women’ run by the Advanced Boardroom Excellence Group led by Helen Pitcher OBE, based in London which is focused on the development of senior executives. Syreeta has been recognised for 20 years of service to Human Resources by CIPD and was named Financial Services Leader of the year at 2018 Black British Business Awards.

She was also included in the UK Powerlist 2022 and named as an Involve Empower Role Model 2022. In 2023 Syreeta was included in the UK Powerlist top 10 most influential Black British people. Syreeta is an advisory Board member for the Black Talent charter initiative in the UK led by Harry Matovu KC, a Board Trustee of the ALETO foundation chaired by Sir Ken Olisa and Vice Chair of the Change the Race Ratio Campaign chaired by Sir Trevor Phillips. Syreeta actively advocates for and supports Parents who have children with Special Needs focusing on Autism.

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