Louise Smalley joined the board of Whitbread in 2012, making the hospitality brand one of the most diverse in the FTSE 100 in terms of number of female board members

This year Foster moved sector from the National Church Institutions of the Church of England to a completely different role as director of people at Flybe

In April 2018 Serle was appointed as chief people officer, a new position at Capita that gives him the responsibility for all elements of HR

Tracey Killen became director of personnel at the John Lewis Partnership in 2007

Kathryn Pritchard is group chief people officer and director of strategic programmes of ODEON Cinemas Group, Europe’s largest cinema operator

Sarah joined Aviva in August 2015 as chief people officer.

Alison Bell has been a HR professional for more than 15 years, starting in healthcare, waste management and aviation before moving into rail in 2012

Rachel Brace has more than 20 years’ experience in HR

Anne Billson-Ross joined Taylor Wimpey in 2014 as group HR director

Andy Dodman is chief officer of HR at Leeds City Council, the second largest local authority in the UK

Harmer is the chief people officer for Metro Bank, Britain’s first new high-street bank in more than 100 years

John Stewart is the director of HR for SSE, one of the biggest energy companies in the UK