Sovereign has announced the appointment of Sally Hyndman as Chief People Office, a role she will take up on 18 January 2021.
Hyndman will serve as a member of the executive board and will report to the chief executive, Mark Washer.
The new role includes responsibility for people, culture, safety, and facilities; though, when Hyndman first starts in January, Sovereign says her initial focus will be on people and culture – with both the Safety and Compliance and Workplace Management teams moving under her purview over the course of the year.
Career background
Hyndman has worked in HR in key roles for Debenhams, Carphone Warehouse, and Marks and Spencer, where she spent 24 years.
At Dixons Carphone, where she served as Group HR director, Hyndman delivered a comprehensive HR transformation project, reducing costs by around £40m.
Hyndman is also currently active as a non-executive director of mental health charity Mind.
Sovereign says she has a strong track record in delivering high-impact organisational change, working with leadership teams to create business models that put customers first.
Commenting on her appointment, Hyndman said: “I am so excited to be joining Sovereign early in the new year, and I am looking forward to getting stuck in on work around people and culture.
“Sovereign is clearly an organisation that is undergoing positive change, improving how it operates and delivering for its customers.
“I am really proud that I will be involved in an organisation with such a strong social purpose.”
Mark Washer said: “I am delighted that Sally will be joining Sovereign as our new Chief People Officer.
“Her experience in transforming HR functions, delivering efficiencies and putting customers first will be great assets to Sovereign as we continue our transformation programme.
“2021 is already shaping up to be a very exciting year for Sovereign and I know that Sally will have a vital part to play.”
Sovereign has made a number of new hires at senior level this year, including Jim Dyer as Construction director, Nick Watson as Strategic Business Development director, Emma Wright as Customer Experience director, and Charles Pitt as Corporate Affairs director.
Sovereign manages nearly 60,000 homes and aims to build around 1,900 new homes every year.
Image: Sally Hyndman, Chief People Officer, Sovereign Housing
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