HR leaders wield significant influence in effecting meaningful and positive changes within organizations.
This year, several seasoned human resource professionals with stellar track records have assumed pivotal roles across various companies. Explore the Top Leadership Changes of 2024, where these leaders are at the forefront of vital discussions on contemporary workplace culture. They've embraced the challenge of driving transformative initiatives, nurturing dynamic workplace environments, and propelling their new organizations toward sustained success.
Top Leadership Change of 2024
Here are the latest top HR leadership appointments for CHRO & HR-Head positions in 2024—
- 01. Richard Lobo: Tech Mahindra
Tech Mahindra, an Indian multinational information technology services and consulting company, has appointed Richard Lobo as its new Chief People Officer. Lobo, who previously served as the HR Head and Executive Vice President at Infosys, brings his expansive experience to his new role. His people-first approach and passion for developing young leaders emphasize the positive impact Lobo will have in shaping the company's future.
- 02. Michelle Gass: Levi Strauss
Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh has stepped down, passing the leadership torch to Michelle Gass, the former CEO of Kohl’s. Gass has been the long-anointed successor and was instrumental in overseeing the Levi’s brand, including its product, merchandising, and marketing, as well as managing the company’s digital and global commercial operations. Under her leadership, Levi’s has prioritized international expansion, solidified its position as a full denim lifestyle apparel brand, and shifted towards a direct-to-consumer (DTC) operating model.
- 03. Mark Chiappetta: Soft Robotics
Soft Robotics, a leader in AI-enabled machine vision solutions for robotic automation and manufacturing process inspection, has announced the appointment of Mark Chiappetta as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. With over 30 years of experience in building and growing innovative robotics and automation businesses, Chiappetta brings his extensive expertise, and is poised to lead Soft Robotics into its next phase of commercial growth. Prior to joining Soft Robotics, Chiappetta held executive leadership positions at BionX Medical Technologies and iRobot Corporation.
- 04. Brijitha Prasanth: Ascendion
Brijitha Prasanth has been appointed as the Head of Human Resources at Ascendion, a US-based IT service management firm, where she will oversee people and culture at its global talent center in Bangalore. With a wealth of experience spanning HR business partnering, talent acquisition, total rewards, HR operations, organization development interventions, HR analytics, change management, post-M&A integration, employee engagement, talent retention, culture and employee relations, diversity and inclusion, and employer branding, Prasanth brings a comprehensive skill set to her new role.
- 05. Rueben Das: Interocean Group
Rueben Das has joined Interocean Group, a ship catering company based in New Delhi, as the head of human resources. Das, an experienced HR professional, boasts over 20 years of expertise gained from his tenure at RoadCast Technologies, Jubilant Consumers, Salasar Techno Engineering Ltd, and diverse sectors including manufacturing, food and beverage, ground transportation, car rental, travel, and management consulting. His core competencies encompass talent acquisition and management, strategic business partnership, performance management and rewards, employee development, and retention, as well as compensation and benefits.
- 06. Ariane Gorin: Expedia Group
Ariane Gorin will succeed Peter Kern as CEO of Expedia Group in May 2024. Gorin, who has held various executive roles at Expedia since 2013, is currently serving as president of Expedia for Business. Kern, who became CEO in 2020, will continue as vice chairman and board member to facilitate a smooth transition with Gorin.
- 07. Colin Fyfe: Unity Trust Bank
Unity Trust Bank, the SME lender, has appointed Colin Fyfe as its CEO. Colin brings over 40 years of experience in the banking sector, including a decade as CEO at two building societies - Darlington and Hinckley & Rugby. Colin brings to Unity a robust track record of innovation, transformation, and growth.
- 08. Neetika Bhatia: HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities has promoted Neetika Bhatia to the role of Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO). Formerly the EVP and Head of Human Resources, Bhatia brings over 17 years of HR leadership experience across banking and IT, specializing in HR advisory, talent and organization development, and rewards. She has a proven track record of partnering with diverse businesses in challenging environments to drive the people's agenda.
- 09. Niklas Heuveldop: Vonage and Ericsson
Niklas Heuveldop has been appointed as the CEO of Vonage and Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform at Ericsson. Prior to this role, Heuveldop served as the Head of Market Area North America for Ericsson since 2017. In addition to his previous positions, Heuveldop has also held the role of Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Technology & Emerging Business at Ericsson.
- 10. Chandrashekhar Chavan: UltraTech Cement
UltraTech Cement, an Indian multinational cement company, has appointed Chandrashekhar Chavan as Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), effective from April 2024. Chandrashekhar Chavan began his journey with the Aditya Birla Group in 1996 and has since played diverse roles across sectors, including Metals at Hindalco Industries, Financial Services at Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds, and Cement at UltraTech Cement.
- 11. Kristin Major: Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Hewlett Packard Enterprise, a global edge-to-cloud company, has appointed Kristin Major as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer (EVP and CPO). With her 12-year tenure within various parts of the business, fostering strong relationships, she has a deep understanding of enterprise needs and opportunities.
To Conclude
These influential thought leaders are at the forefront of tracking HR trends and strategies, sharing valuable content, experience, and ideas that HR professionals from various departments should read, especially regarding HR technology, culture, recruitment, and more. The senior top HR leaders function as strategic business partners for divisions leading the human resources (HR) function and will serve as active leaders on HR policies, practices, resources, and transactions.
