What is the Aspiring Group HRD Programme?
To date, our Aspiring Group HR Director programme has developed over 60 HR leaders, with over 70% of participants moving into a Group HRD role following completion of the course.
Our approach to creating this impactful programme is unique. Each year, the curriculum is personalised and co-designed with the cohort, ensuring a learning experience that is timely, highly relevant and tailored to the specific needs of the group. Our faculty of academics, CEOs, NEDs, CPOs and subject-matter experts collaborate to deliver stimulating sessions that enrich participants’ knowledge, understanding and capability, ensuring they are well prepared to step into the Group HRD role.
“It helped shape my thinking about what a CHRO should be doing and where we spend our time …. which is so often not where I would like to spend my time! And the continual learning process about how we use our boards and make them feel useful.” – Previous participant
Shift from functional HR to strategic leadership
Develop a business-centric, commercial perspective
Build leadership confidence
and clarity
Connect with an influential peer network and faculty
What Are The Key Benefits?
By the end of this six-month journey, participants will gain:
- Practical insight from experienced Group HRDs and board-level leaders. Learn directly from those who have operated at Group HRD level, gaining real-world perspectives on navigating complexity, board dynamics and enterprise-wide transformation.
- Exposure to contemporary research and leading-edge HR thinking. Engage with the latest evidence-based insights on organisational effectiveness, leadership, culture and workforce strategy to strengthen your strategic credibility.
- Strategic capability to operate at enterprise level. Develop the mindset and skills required to move beyond functional HR leadership and think systemically across global, multi-business or matrixed organisations.
- Advanced influencing and advisory skills. Build the confidence and consultative capability to challenge and partner with CEOs, executive committees and boards on the issues that matter most.
- Insight into technology, data and AI in workforce strategy. Explore how analytics, digital transformation and AI are reshaping talent, business models and organisational design — and how to lead these conversations strategically.
- A confidential peer network of aspiring and current senior HR leaders. Join a high-calibre cohort facing similar transitions, creating trusted relationships that extend well beyond the programme.
- Personal leadership reflection and targeted development. Take time for structured reflection on your leadership impact, strengths and readiness for Group HRD scope, helping you accelerate your transition with clarity and confidence.
Who Should Enrol?
To facilitate a supportive learning environment, this programme has limited places and is ideal for those with significant practitioner experience in the following roles:
- Already leading significant HR functions (for example, HR Director of a business unit, region or Centre of Excellence), or
- Recently appointed as a Group HRD and wanting to accelerate their impact, or
- Being prepared for Group HRD succession by their organisation.
Past participants have included HR Directors, People Directors, Group Heads of HR, VPs and Deputy HR Directors.
“The programme helped me get really clear on whether this is truly my aspiration. I can now confidently say that it is where I want to go, and I feel much clearer on how I need to get there and more in control of my own development plan.” – Previous participant
Development Tailored For You
The unique programme comprises three two-day modules across a six-month period, complemented by two networking dinners with CEO and Chair guest speakers, a complimentary place (including accommodation) at CRF’s International Conference and mentoring from a highly experienced CPO.
The first two-day module sets the scene for the programme with inputs from FTSE Group HRDs and our colleagues at Strategic Dimensions and PARC, a 360 assessment for each participant to inform their optimal agenda and agreement on the topics for the following two modules.
CRF draws on more than 30 years of research experience and its deep network of CEOs, CPOs, academics and experts to shape the rest of the programme.
Past cohorts have benefited from modules focused on:
| The Realities of a Group HRD | AI in HR: Practical Choices for Leaders |
| What CEOs Look For in a Group HRD | The Future of HR |
| Unlearning: Forgetting What Got You The Job | Executive Reward / RemCo |
| Political Savvy at C-Suite Level | Leading Through Communication in the Digital Age |
| Life as a Group HRD | Working with CEOs, Boards and Committees |
| Leading in Complexity | Workforce Transformation |
| Working with Emotions in High-Stakes Situations | The Chair’s Perspective |
Confirmed Faculty for 2026 Include:
- Sue Whalley, Chief People and Performance Officer, Associated British Foods; Non Executive Director, Centrica
- Nick Roberts, former Chief Executive Officer, Travis Perkins
- Emma Rose, Chief People Officer, Convatec
- Rachel King, Group People Director, Spire Healthcare; Non Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair, Crown Prosecution Service
- Jenny Duvalier, Former Group HRD, ARM; Non Executive Director, Guardian Media Group; Non Executive Director, Mitie
- Gina Jardine, Former Group HRD, CRH; Non Executive Director, Forterra
- Donard Gaynor, Former Chair, Glanbia
- Jason Averbook, Senior Partner, Global Leader Digital HR Strategy, Mercer
Previous Participating Faculty:
Our extensive network and experience enable us to draw on a range of academic and business expertise as we tailor the faculty each year to the needs of the cohort.
- David Green, Executive Director, Insight222
- Andrew Spence, Workforce Futurist
- Tim Haynes, former VP People and Culture, Jazz Pharmaceuticals
- Alison Lucas, Associate Executive Coach, The Oxford Group
- Darren Briggs, Director, Flametree Communications
- Davy Price-Stephens, Managing Directors, Kates Kesler, part of Accenture
- Karen Clark, Director, PARC
- Gillian Pillans, Research Director, Corporate Research Forum
- Nic Stratford, Head of Executive Reward, Mercer
- Drew Matthews, Former Group Reward Director, Centrica
- Derek Steptoe, former Reward Director, Vodafone, BHP and WPP
- Maura Jarvis, Partner, UK Transformation Leader, Mercer
- Caroline Fanning, Chief Employee Success Officer, The Access Group
- Hugh Mitchell, Former Chief HR & Corporate Officer, Shell
- Dan Caro, Managing Director, Strategic Dimensions
“It was a go/no-go moment for deciding whether I wanted to be a CHRO… the sessions showed me, or confirmed, that I can and should try.” – Previous participant
This programme is led by Nick Holley, Client Learning Director, CRF
For over two decades, he has worked with Group HR Directors, CHROs and executive teams globally to help HR operate at the centre of business strategy — not at its margins. His work focuses on future-back organisation design, strategic workforce planning, board-level influence and the shift from HR functional leader to enterprise architect.
As designer and lead faculty of CRF’s Aspiring Group HRD programme, Nick brings together cutting-edge research, real-world experience and a direct, stretching facilitation style that prepares participants for the realities of operating at Group level.
He is known for helping senior HR leaders think bigger, act braver and step confidently into enterprise leadership.
Prior to joining CRF, Nick spent 10 years at Henley Business School where he was a visiting professor and Director of the Centre for HR Excellence. He has developed and delivered HR capability programmes for organisations across the UK and Europe, and internationally.
Investment & What’s Included?
CRF Members: £10,995 (+VAT) per person
Non-CRF Members: £16,500 (+VAT) per person
- Three modules, six days of learning and two networking dinners across seven months for ongoing development
- 7-8 September 2026, London
- 2-3 November 2026, London
- 11-12 January 2027, London
- Completion of a 360 assessment specifically designed for HR leaders
- Three mentoring sessions with an ex-CPO (dates to be agreed individually)
- October 2026
- December 2026
- February 2027
- Two networking dinners with external speakers
- 2 November 2026, London
- 11 January 2027, London
- Attendance at CRF’s annual international Conference (October 2026) – bringing together senior HR leaders across three days of learning and networking, with complimentary accommodation included
- 5-7 October 2026, Malta
- Attendance at the HRD End of Year Dinner, convening more than 100 HR Directors from across the CRF network
- 8 December 2026, London
- With additional investment
- Further mentoring
- Discounted access to IMD’s Orchestrating Winning Performance programme
If you are interested in enrolling and would like to discuss further, contact Rosanna Neary or click the button below:
