Our Movers and Shakers articles highlight who’s moving up, out or across in the rapidly evolving world of workplace culture, employee health and wellbeing. As we settle into the New Year, here’s a selection of “movers and shakers” that grabbed my attention over the last few months of 2024…
Aggninder Dhillon
First up is Aggninder Dhillon. We’ve written before about growing recognition that HR leaders now need to be increasingly finance focused – whilst finance leaders need to be more people focused. Perhaps the embodiment of this shift is Aggninder Dhillon who has been promoted to International HR Director at tea (and other beverage) company Twinings.
Aggy started her career as a Finance Manager, before moving into people strategy, transformation, reward and wellbeing. She has spoken at our sister event The Watercooler 2024 and facilitated a roundtable focused on future-proofing wellbeing at the MAD World Summit 2024. You can read key insights from this roundtable (and the other roundtables) here.
Somayeh Rahimi
After almost three years as Wellbeing Manager at Computacenter, in September 2024, CRN Women in channel awards mental heath champion of the year finalist – and passionate wellbeing advocate – Somayeh Rahimi took on her new role as Global Wellbeing Manager with Gamma.
With a background in marketing and sustainability, Somayeh’s path reflects the diverse ways in which professionals are able to advance their careers in employee health and wellbeing. You can read more about professionalising the Wellbeing role through qualifications here, and about how professionals can keep up to date in the fast-evolving world of Health & Wellbeing here.
Jack Wardingley
Our next Mover & Shaker is Jack Wardingley. After 12 years at Flight Centre Travel Group as Employee Benefits Manager, followed by moves to luxury e-retailer Farfetch and then to The Economist Group, in September 2024, Jack took up his new role as Director of Global Benefits with relationship platform Bumble Inc. Here, he’s linking up with former Farfetch colleague Nehal Valia Bhayani who is Bumble Inc’s VP of Total Rewards.
Writing on LinkedIn about his appointment Jack said: “I’m grateful for the chance to be part of such a dynamic, purpose-led organisation” where he is working on a strategy to continue to ‘make moves that matter’.
Ashley Ingram
Meanwhile, Ashley Ingram has made the move from Senior Benefits Manager with Expedia Group to Head of Benefits with food delivery company Wolt. Here he is part of the Human Resources and People Development Team.
Writing on LinkedIn about his appointment Ashley said: “I’m super excited to join Wolt as Head of Benefits and help empower our mission to make cities better for consumers, merchants and couriers alike”.
Julia Biles
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to shine the spotlight on the wonderful Julia Biles. Back in 2021, after seven years as Global Head of Employee Health and Wellbeing with Bupa, Julia joined Saga and then started her own employee wellbeing consultancy threesixfive wellbeing. Since then, Julia has worked with EasyJet and is now working with Save the Children as Interim Head of Wellbeing, Safety and Security.
As Julia explains on her LinkedIn profile, believing that when employees are at their best, businesses thrive, Julia’s passion lies in enabling organisations to create healthier, more productive, and more engaged workplaces. Her mission is to help leaders at all levels of an organisation embrace their authenticity, build strong teams, and drive meaningful change.
You can also get a flavour of Julia’s perspective in this article on investing in line management if we want to get wellbeing right and this article, which asked the question “Are you wellbeing washing?”
We wish all of our Movers & Shakers the best of luck. More to follow in the next few weeks…
