Ann Pickering, CHRO at O2, says HR needs to have confidence in its portfolio and what it does

The latest HRMI rankings were compiled in a significant year for the profession, with those making the lists demonstrating the skills needed to deal with the big HR issues hitting the news

All the photos taken at this year's HR Most Influential event at Claridge's in London

Bernie Kingsley joined the group as head of human resources in March 2009

Des Pullen is responsible for ABF’s people agenda. He also leads the group’s activities in health, safety and environment, as well as procurement

Ronald Schellekens is the Vodafone group HR director and a member of the Vodafone executive committee

Holden joined Schroders in 2007 as head of corporate communications

Josephs joined Historic Royal Palaces as HRD in 1999, shortly after it became an independent self-funding charity

Jan Woods is a director of consumer-focused investor Lion Capital

Patrick Lencioni is one of America’s pre-eminent thought leaders on topics related to leadership, management and teamwork at the executive level

Hughes-D'Aeth has worked in HR roles for more than 30 years across a variety of sectors and countries

Identifying your influencing approach, reputation, resilience and career planning are all key to becoming influential as a woman