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. Here’s a selection of just a few of the many “movers and shakers” that have grabbed my attention in April 2026…
Jackie Buttery
First up is the inimitable Jackie Buttery, who regular readers may remember from last month’s Movers and Shakers feature. Having left Travers Smith after nearly seven years leading employee benefits, reward and wellbeing initiatives, Jackie announced on LinkedIn that she has taken on a four-day-a-week Head of Reward and Benefits role at global law firm Dentons, where she is looking forward to leading a number of exciting projects.
Alongside this, Jackie will spend one day a week in a consulting capacity for CXClarity, a new business she has launched focused on client experience insight and strategy development support for the employee benefits industry.
You can read Jackie’s advice on linking reward and benefits with health and wellbeing in this profile interview for www.makeadifference.media
Louisa Mayer
Next up is Louisa Meyer, who has joined global online trading and investments company IG Group as Chief People Officer after nearly 11 years with Flutter Entertainment plc, including five years as Chief People Officer of Flutter International.
Writing on LinkedIn, Louisa said: “Coming in just as the business announces record results makes it even more exciting. I’d love to take some credit, but that clearly belongs to the fantastic team already in place. Joining at a moment like this makes the opportunity very clear. This is a business with real momentum, and I’m looking forward to contributing to what comes next.”
In her LinkedIn profile, Louisa says she is passionate about building talent strategies, leadership capability and people systems that enable sustainable growth, while embedding culture as a lasting competitive advantage.
You can read how another company has created a culture that forms a key part of its competitive advantage in this summary of insights shared at our Manchester Make a Difference Leaders’ Lunch, featuring special guest Will Lankston, MD of Timpson Direct.
Kirsty Lloyd
The next Mover & Shaker that caught my eye in April is Kirsty Lloyd, who has been promoted to Senior People Partner at Stowe Family Law after just twelve months with the business.
Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Kirsty said: “It’s been a hugely rewarding year, both personally and professionally, joining such an amazing People Team, working with fantastic colleagues, and having the opportunity to get stuck into new projects and people initiatives — all culminating in an exciting new chapter.”
Veronique Metcalf
Next up is Veronique Metcalf, who after nine years as Head of People, Europe and Singapore for Cromwell Property Group, has taken on the role of Group HR Director with real estate investment management firm Long Harbour Ltd.
Veronique is a long-standing member of our Make a Difference Leaders’ Club and frequently shares on LinkedIn her perspective on issues related to workplace culture, employee health and wellbeing. Most recently, she posted about the elephant in the boardroom which is addiction at work and the conversation leaders need to have. We’ve also written about tackling addiction at work in this interview with writer, author and broadcaster Sam Delany.
In this post, Veronique also shared some great tips for those that are currently job hunting.
Clarke Carlisle
Last but certainly not least is Clarke Carlisle, former professional footballer and prominent mental health campaigner, who has been appointed as the new Chair of leading mental health charity Mind.
Following a 17-year playing career in which he made more than 500 appearances, Clarke has established himself as a leading national voice on mental health. He has spoken openly about his experience of depression, suicide attempts, alcoholism, and gambling – helping to challenge stigma and drive change across sport and society.
Since retiring from football, Clarke has built a distinguished career across the third sector, public sector and corporate environments. His roles have included Chair of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Chief Operating Officer of Its Mental, and advisory work with organisations such as the NHS, Premier League, EFL and HSBC.
On LinkedIn, Mind reported Clarke as saying: “To be appointed Chair of Mind is, without exception, the single greatest moment of my professional life,” Clarke told us. “I am both humbled and blessed to be given this opportunity to serve this wonderful organisation, one that is absolutely pivotal in my own mental health recovery and ongoing wellness.”
You can read more about Clarke Carlisle’s perspective in this profile interview which Suzy Bashford conducted for www.makeadifference.media.
We wish all of our Movers and Shakers the best of luck as you start this new chapter of your lives.
